Applet was sunk in 1659 to become part of an underwater barrier meant to protect the Swedish capital from enemy fleets. Its sister vessel is displayed in the Vasa Museum, one of Stockholm's top tourist destinations.
Visitors can see Vasa's intricate wooden carvings at the Vasa Museum, one of Stockholm's top tourist destinations.Salvaged part of Applet warship in Vaxholm, Sweden. Pic: Museum of Wrecks/Anders P Nasberg/Vrak/Reuters
Experts were able to confirm that the wreck was the long-lost Applet by analysing its technical details, wood samples and archival data, the museum said in a statement.Several samples taken and analysed after a second thorough dive in spring of this year, found that oak for the ship's timber was felled in 1627 - in the same place as Vasa's timber just a few years earlier.
No decision has been taken on whether to raise the ship, which would be a costly and complicated endeavour.Applet was built around the same time as Vasa, by the order of Swedish King Gustav II Adolf. While Vasa keeled over and sank just minutes after leaving port in 1628, Applet was launched the following year and remained in active service for three decades.