In the long history of sea travel ships have gained fame in many ways. So it came about that the Swedish war ship VASA (also spelled WASA) dating from the 17th century became known throughout the world several centuries after the accident that capsized her. Completed in 1628, the VASA was to be the new flagship of the Swedish fleet in the war against Poland. However some 20 minutes into her maiden voyage the VASA overturned in Stockholm harbour. It was not until 1961 that the wreck was discovered in the harbour basin and then restored and conserved. Since 1990 it has been possible to see the most famous Swedish ship by far in a specially constructed VASA museum.