Henrik Hybertsson

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The Vasa was designed by Henrik Hybertsson

Henrik Hybertsson (unknown-1627) was a Dutchborn master shipbuilder and was together with his brother Arendt in charge of the Stockholm shipyards in the early 17th century. He is mostly known for being the primary architect of the disastrous Vasa project, which sank on its maiden voyage and can now be seen at the Vasa Museum .

During the first years of the 17th century Henrik was hired by the Swedish King Karl IX, at time the Royal Swedish Navy was expanding rapidly. He worked in Stockholm between 1603-1605 and again between 1611-1627. In between he was stationed at various shipyards in the country. At his second tour of duty at the Stockholm shipyards, he was put in charge of ship building at the yards, a position he held until his death.

During the fall of 1624 admiral Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm, vice admiral Claes Fleming and Henrik Hybertsson got a mission from King Gustav II Adolf to formulate a five year plan for maintenance and construction for the Swedish Navy.

Already in January 1625 Henrik signed a contract with Gustav II Adolf to build four ships, two larger and two smaller, perform maintenance on existing ships, and run the shipyard until 1629. The first of the larger ships "Tre Kronor" was completed in the fall of 1625. Several smaller ships were also built during this time, but construction on new ships was delayed due to the heavy maintenance due to the toll caused by the Thirty Years' War the King fought in Poland at the time. The second ship he started building, "The Vasa" wasn't completed until after Henrik's death, and met the unfortunate fate of sinking a few minutes after being launched.