Sweden

On May 7, 1715, the Swedish warship Vasa tragically sank on its maiden voyage, just minutes after leaving the harbor. This monumental event marked a significant moment in maritime history and left a lasting impact on Stockholm. The ship, designed to be the pride of the Swedish navy, was heavily armed and adorned with intricate carvings, but it was tragically unstable. The loss of the Vasa claimed the lives of about 30 crew members, and its remnants lay at the bottom of the harbor for over 300 years until it was salvaged in 1961.