The warship Scepter 1615

3D Model

Gustav II Adolf’s famous flagship found on Skeppsholmen in Stockholm. Scepter was one of several ships named for the royal regalia, and was begun in 1612-1613 on Arnö in Lake Mälaren by the Dutch master shipwright Isbrandt Johansson. The ship was launched in 1615, fitted out and ready for sea in 1617. This wreck can tell us much about how ships were built, and in this case we can see how the stern of the ship was constructed. The wreck and the historical sources have less impact when we consider them separately, but now that we can combine the two the result is magical. Despite being a royal flagship, it has been largely forgotten. The find allows us to bring it back into the light. It is fascinating to know that the king had sailed on board the ship we now have the honour to climb on board. Scepter has a long history which is partly documented in written sources, detailing different naval campaigns, battles and accidents. The king himself sailed on the ship several times.