2 lions with apple: 17th-century carvings stun divers

3D model of the national coat of arms, both lions and a possible national apple (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)
3D model of the coat of arms, showing both lions and a possible apple (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)

Just over a year after the discovery of Äpplet, the sister-ship of Sweden’s famed 17th-century warship Vasa, the same dive-team came across a surprising set of new discoveries – which have just been revealed.

Also read: Divers find ‘evil-eye’ disc – and village of 100,000 spikes

The maritime archaeologists, from Vrak, the Museum of Wrecks in Stockholm, along with Swedish Navy divers had discovered the well-preserved Baltic shipwreck in December 2021, and it was identified in October last year, as reported on Divernet. This spring they set out on the military vessel Furusund to document the ship’s hull through 3D filming.

The latest finds were made on their initial dives, when the divers were amazed to find wood-carved sculptures that had previously been hidden behind the stern – including two large lions from the national coat of arms, displayed on the transom. 

The right lion (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)
The right lion beside the apple (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)
The left lion (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)
The left lion (Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)

Beside the lions was a smaller, circular sculpture in the shape of an apple – which would have formed a nameplate for the ship formally known as Riksäpplet (Royal Apple). In times of low literacy, such images were often used to help identify vessels.

3D model (Jim Hansson / Vrak / SMTM)
3D model showing the left lion (Jim Hansson / Vrak / SMTM)

The archaeologists had hardly expected to find sculptures left intact on a ship that had been retired and scuttled. “I’ve been diving for more than 30 years and have never found a sculpture,” said Vrak marine archaeologist Jim Hansson. “To be part of finding the ones from Vasa’s sister-ship Äpplet is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever experienced!” 

Completed after sister-ship sank

The construction of the two large warships Vasa and Äpplet had been ordered by the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf in 1625, and they were built beside each other in Stockholm. Vasa was completed first but sank in 1628, a year before Äpplet was ready to launch, incorporating lessons learnt from the sister-ship's swift demise. When Sweden entered the 30 Years’ War in 1630, Äpplet was in its fleet that shipped troops to Germany. 

Applet, right, was built wider than Vasa – and duly lasted much longer (Alexander Rauscher & Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)
Äpplet was built wider than Vasa – and duly lasted much longer (Alexander Rauscher & Jim Hansson, Vrak / SMTM)

The ship had been built wider than Vasa to provide more stability, and served the navy for 30 years before being deliberately sunk in a strait at Vaxholm in 1659.

“To find Äpplet at all, and then realise that it was sunk with its sculptures still there, is something I never expected,” said Vrak underwater archaeologist Patrik Höglund.

The Äpplet sculptures have similarities with those found on Vasa – but also differences, say the archaeologists. They believe that on the former wreck they have also found a depiction of Atlas the Titan, in the form of a figure carrying what appears to be a globe. Atlas is not represented on Vasa.

3D model of the titan Atlas (Peder Sjöholm, Swedish Armed Forces)
3D model of the Titan Atlas (Peder Sjöholm, Swedish Armed Forces)

“Suddenly finding a gaping lion staring back into the darkness down there tops my list during my professional life as a diver,” commented HMS Furusund’s diving manager Peder Sjöholm of the discoveries. “The stern’s construction is partially preserved at the wreck-site. This means it is now possible to understand the development in ship construction, from the unstable Vasa and attempts to find the right shape for a massive, heavily armed ship. 

“The investigations reveal that Äpplet had both a higher stern and a different shape than Vasa, the hull of which is not as wide and is narrower at the top of the sterncastle. Details and differences in the construction of these two ships bring us much closer to the shipyard builders than before.”

Diver
Diver Patrik Höglund on Äpplet's port side. (Jim Hansson / Vrak)

“This find clearly confirms why we need a museum about our cultural heritage on the bottom of the Baltic Sea,” said Vrak’s museum director Odd Johansen. “The museum has been open for less than two years, so it’s amazing that we can already announce this sensational discovery!”

Wrecks and artefacts are preserved in good condition in Baltic waters, although salvaging artefacts from Äpplet for conservation and display remains a possibility – at the discretion of the county administrative board. 

Vrak and navy divers have investigated Vaxholm a number of times for the “Forgotten Fleet” research programme, in collaboration with Stockholm University and Riksbankens jubileumsfond. Vrak is located near the Vasa Museum at Djurgården in Stockholm, and forms part of Swedish National Maritime & Transport Museums (SMTM).

Also on Divernet: Swedish Divers Survey British Annie ShipwreckDivers Date Unique Baltic ShipwreckVrak Divers Find 10 More Baltic Wrecks6 Historic Wrecks ID’d For Diver TrailDivers Find Barricade ‘Forest’ In BalticExploring Baltic Shipwrecks In Sweden

@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
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@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS41ODI2RjhGOTVBODI2NDE5

How Long Can You Keep Air in a Cylinder? #AskMark #scubadiving

Full List of Dive Shows with Links:
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FEBRUARY 1-2: Duikvaker 
FEBRUARY 21-23: European Dive Show (EUDI)
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MARCH 28-30: Mediterranean Diving Show 
APRIL 4-6: Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) 
MAY 22-25: Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX)
MAY 31 – JUNE 1: Scuba Show
JUNE 13-15: Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE)
SEPTEMBER 6-7: GO Diving ANZ Show
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00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

Full List of Dive Shows with Links:
https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/your-worldwide-dive-show-guide-for-2025/

JANUARY 18-26: Boot Düsseldorf (International Boat Show)
FEBRUARY 1-2: Duikvaker
FEBRUARY 21-23: European Dive Show (EUDI)
FEBRUARY 21-23: Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show, Malaysia
MARCH 1-2: GO Diving Show (The UK Dive Show)
MARCH 15-16: ADEX Ocean Festival / OZTek Australia
MARCH 28-30: Mediterranean Diving Show
APRIL 4-6: Asia Dive Expo (ADEX)
MAY 22-25: Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX)
MAY 31 – JUNE 1: Scuba Show
JUNE 13-15: Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE)
SEPTEMBER 6-7: GO Diving ANZ Show
OCTOBER 17-19: Diving Talks
NOVEMBER 11-14: DEMA Show

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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43OTNDNTk0OUNGMDA1MUNG

Upcoming Dive Shows in 2025 #scubadiving #diveshow

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged. 

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/ 
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged.

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join

GEAR PURCHASES: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear

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Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS4yNkZBOTQyMkYxQkQyMzc2

Spanish Cave Closed After Fatality #scuba #podcast #news

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James hayes
James hayes
1 year ago

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