The World's Biggest Lizard

King of the Lizards walking along the beach

Before 1910 there were rumours of a mythical creature residing in an island in the East Indies.  It was that year which a member of the Dutch Colonial Forces, Lt. Major van Steyn van Hensbroek was told about a monstrous lizard few had seen inhabiting an island in western Flores, Indonesia.  Soon after, Lt. Major van Hensbroek visited Komodo in hope of procuring some specimens.  Upon arrival, it was claimed by members of the Dutch pearl-diving fleet that some of these lizards grew up to 7m long!  A frightful thought but most likely an exaggeration.  During his brief foray on the island, he managed to kill a specimen 2.2m long.

The discovery brought thereafter a number of expeditions to the island for both scientific research and sport.  Many wanted a Komodo trophy for their own.  Shortly after its description, the Sultan of Bima and the Dutch authorities outlawed making sport of hunting it and severely limited the numbers of people that could be taken to the island.  Even today there are restrictions on travelling to the islands in the national park whereby a permit is required.

Size Comparison

The Komodo dragon is a gigantic version of a monitor lizard.  It is the biggest lizard in the world at 3m long, with a weight of 70kg and the strength to knock over a tree.  Although they may appear lethargic, they can reach a speed of 12mph in very little time which is key to their stealthy approach to hunting.  Their bite is venomous but also contains a lot of nasty bacteria which is what really kills its prey.

The Island where they live has very few inhabitants.  Kampung Komodo, the only village on the main island, has a population of about 1,300.  Houses are built on stilts as the Komodo Dragon has a long history of attacking humans.   The island is relatively small at 390 square kilometres, about the same size as the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, England.  The lowlands of the island are blanketed in grass which is dry all year round except for monsoon season.  Higher up towards the island’s peaks is a dark green forest containing palms and many tropical plants.  A steep contrast on a foreboding island which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Map of Komodo, Indonesia

The ship sailed and sank in under one mile

Model of Vasa at the Vasa museum, Stockholm

The Wasa or Vasa was largely forgotten until the 1950’s and 60's when it was raised from the seabed in good condition and preserved in a Stockholm museum. 

The warship was intended to be the pride of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and the flagship of the new Swedish navy.

Little expense was spared in the ships construction, the upper portions encrusted with carved wooden statuettes and covered in gold leaf.  She was fitted out with 64 bronze cannon, 48 of which were 24 pounders over 2 decks, a truly frightening armament for her time.  

The ships construction was fraught with problems, it was uncommon in the early 17th century to produce a plan or diagram for the construction work (or it's just that very few have managed to survive).

Four ships were originally ordered, two with a slightly larger keel, however, the shipyard ran into financial problems thus delaying their construction. The king, worried by the loss of ten ships to a single storm urged the already hurried construction of the smaller ships but also demanded new measurements to be followed for the Vasa, to have a 37 meter keel. Perhaps the first flaw with its construction as the timber had already been cut and then reshaped to form the new keel. The shipwright in charge of the project never saw out its construction as he died in early 1627 and so his Dutch assistant continued the project. 

The Vasa’s hull was launched in 1627; the work to complete its upper portions and fitting went ahead.  Statuettes of wisdom and prowess were adorned to the upper ships exterior to assert the Swedish authority and power over the seas. The Vasa would have been vividly painted to create a powerful and dazzling show of exuberance, decorations inspired by the renaissance in Europe and to assert that Sweden was on the map, the king himself had ordered this ship. 

Route of the Vasa

On the 10^th of August 1628, The Vasa left on her maiden voyage under the command of Captain Söfring Hansson, as soon as the ship emerged into more open waters about one nautical mile from the dock, a gust filled her sails and she heeled over, her sails where loosened however, the second gust heeled her strongly back to port and sea water poured in though her open lower gun ports causing her to lurch further and further ultimately sinking to a depth of 32 meters. A third of the 150 strong crew perished while others clung onto debris.

Displacement of an 18th century wasrship compared to the Vasa

The Catastrophe was witnessed by hundreds or thousands of ordinary Stockholm residents as well as foreign ambassadors and officials.   When notified, King Adolphus became enraged and ordered the Captain to be imprisoned on charges of “imprudence and negligence”.  A committee was formed to fully investigate the cause of the sinking, Captain Söfring swore during the initial interrogation that the cannon had been properly secured and the crew were sober. 

Each of the surviving ships officers were questioned in the presence of the fleet’s admiral.  Surviving crew members were also quizzed about the ships handling moments before the sinking.  Nobody was prepared to accept the blame and the crew and ships constructors were divided so the blame could not be placed. 

The real fault fell on the poor design, the keel had been lengthened and overall design had been altered resulting in a very shallow draught and poor handling.  Also the second deck of heavy cannon placing the centre of gravity above the waterline, much of which had been directly approved by the king.

Of course the King can’t be to blame can he?