Was built between 1563 and 1564. It was the leading ship of king Eric XIV of Sweden’s fleet, and at 48 meters and equipped with 107 guns it 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, the ship caught fire and exploded during the first battle of Öland in the Baltic Sea.
First located on 19th of August 2011 at a depth of 75 meters and around 18.5 kilometers north of Öland. It wouldn’t be until the 1st of November 2011 that official confirmation was made and determined to be the 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.
Mars (Makalös) Specifications:
LOA: 162 Swedish Feet (48 metres) * 45.5 Swedish Feet (13.5 metres) * Displacement: 1800 tonnes * Crew: 350 sailors, 450 soldiers * Armament: 107 guns * Year Launched: 1564 * Fate: Sank in 1564, location confirmed in 2011