Kalmar Nyckel

Kalmar Nyckel (Swedish for 'Key of Kalmar') was a Swedish ship built by the Dutch famed for carrying Swedish settlers to North America in 1638, to establish the colony of New Sweden. The name Kalmar Nyckel comes from the Swedish city of Kalmar and nyckel meaning 'key' in Swedish. The name was also a tribute to Kalmar Castle which was a symbol of power during the time of the Swedish Empire when Sweden was a military great power. A replica of the ship was launched at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1997.

Calmare Nyckel oil painting by Jacob Hägg, 1922
History
Sweden
NameKalmar Nyckel
OwnerThe Ship Company (Skeppskompaniet)
RouteGothenburg, Sweden — New Sweden, North America
Launchedc. 1625
Acquired1629
FateSold to Swedish Navy, 1644
Commissioned1644
DecommissionedJune 19, 1651
Fate
  • Sold into merchant service, 1651.
  • Sunk in Dutch service 1652 (sunk by the English Navy while escorting Dutch fishing vessels in English territorial waters).
General characteristics
TypePinnace
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Crew40 sailors & 28 soldiers (in Naval service)
Armament
  • 12 × 6-pounder cannon
  • 2 × swivel guns
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