THE SWEDISH WAR SHIP "VASA" is probably the shortest "living" war ship ever put on water. It was built in 1626 to 1628, and sank 20 minutes after it was set out on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was 172 ft, {52.5 meter} tall and 226 ft. {69 meter} long. It traveled only one mile, and a gust of steady wind laid it on it's side so it took in water through the gun ports, and it sank. The reason was it was too tall, and not enough ballast in the bottom. In 1961 it was raised from the seabed and slowly restored. Now, almost 400 years later, it sits on display in the Stockholn Harbor Museum for everyone to see.