Southern Sweden may have another 'Vasa'

A Swedish warship, about the same size as the famous Vasa displayed in Stockholm, may have been found in the seas off southern Sweden.

Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 in Stockholm harbor, and was salvaged in the 1960s; it has been one of the world's premier museum attractions for years. The new find, believed to be the Bleklinge, is about the same size as the Vasa but more heavily armed. It was involved in several naval battles.

Bleklinge was built around 1682, ran aground several years later, and was finally lost at sea in 1713 near Karlskrona. Some historians believe it  may have been sunk purposely after removal of its cannon for the  (unsuccessful) defense of  the city, whose fall led to the end of the Swedish empire.

Jim Hansson, archaeology curator at the Swedish National  Maritime Museums, told TheLocal.se that "Part of her is embedded in deep layers of sediment. We believe there could be a relatively intact level of deck under it. The ship's not at all as well preserved as the Vasa, but the part which lies outside of the pier could be better preserved."

Photo: Model of the Solen, a ship similar to Bleklinge