Swedish warship Mars

Mars, also known as Makalös ("peerless; astounding"), traditionally referred to as the Jutehatar ("Dane Hater"), was a Swedish warship that was built between 1563 and 1564. She was the leading ship of King Eric XIV of Sweden's fleet, and at 70 meters[2] and equipped with 173 guns, was one of the largest warships of the time, even larger than the famous Swedish ship Vasa. In 1564, during the Northern Seven Years' War, she caught fire and exploded during the First battle of Öland in the Baltic Sea.

Drawing of Mars by Jacob Hägg.
History
Sweden
Launched: 1564
Fate: Sank on 31st of May, 1564[1]
General characteristics
Tonnage: Displacement 1800 tonnes
Tons burthen: 700 tons
Length:
Beam: 45.5 Swedish Aln (26.8 metres)
Propulsion: Sails
Crew: 350 sailors, 450 soldiers
Armament:
  • 173 guns.
  • 2 × 48 pundiga cannons (20,4kg, caliber 16 cm)
  • 4 × 36 pundiga cannons (15,3kg, caliber 15 cm)
  • 8 × 24 pundiga cannons (10,2kg, caliber 13 cm)
  • 3 × 24 pundiga cannons with longer barrels (10,2kg, caliber 13 cm)
  • 16 × 12 pundiga cannons (5,1kg, caliber 10 cm)
  • 140 × 2 to 9 pundiga cannons (0,8-3,83kg, caliber 4–9 cm).
Notes: Source for dimensions & Tonnage: "Swedish Unrated Warship Mars (1563", Three Decks - Warships in the Age of Sail

Wreck location

On 19 August 2011, it was announced that the shipwreck of Mars was possibly found by a team of divers, at a depth of 75 meters and around 18.5 kilometers north of Öland, after several years of research.[3] Although not examined by archaeologists yet, in a statement by technical diver Richard Lundgren, it was announced that "Everything suggests that it is indeed the Mars that we have found".[4]

On 1 November 2011, it was announced that the shipwreck had been confirmed to be Mars. According to Richard Lundgren, one of the divers who discovered the wreck, unique ship cannons had been identified along with "other findings" which confirmed the identity.[5]

A production on the Smithsonian channel shown on 6 August 2018 added further evidence of the resting place of Swedish Ship "Mars" . The ship's name was further confirmed by the finding of silver coins within the extensive wreckage of the vessel. The coins were minted by Eric XIV of Sweden the year before the battle in 1563.

The First battle of Öland was the first time that ships used extensive cannon fire rather than boarding (with hand-to-hand fighting) as the means to sink (or capture) an enemy's vessel.

The length of the warship was confirmed in the same broadcast as over 200 feet (60.96 meters).

References
  1. Lee, Jane (6 July 2014). "Cursed Warship Revealed With Treasure Onboard". Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  2. "Swedish Unrated Warship Mars (1563", Three Decks - Warships in the Age of Sail
  3. Martin, Rebecca (19 August 2011). "'New Vasa' shipwreck found on Baltic seabed". The Local. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  4. "Shipwreck of 16th-century Swedish vessel found in Baltic". Calgary Herald. Agence France-Presse. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  5. Holgersson, Jonatan (1 November 2011). "Mars är identifierat". Barometern (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 November 2011.

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