The Naval Museum’s museum ship HMS Västervik has an exciting story to tell. It was on board this pawn from the days of the Cold War that dramatic events took place which once resounded far beyond Sweden’s borders.

A raw October day in 1981 the HMS Västervik was thrown into a historic event of world importance when the Russian submarine U 137 went aground in the Karlskrona archipelago. It was onboard the HMS Västervik that Russian crew members were interrogated.

A torpedo boat that became a missile ship

HMS Västervik was launched in 1975 as one of 12 Spica-class torpedo boats, a few years later she was refurbished as a missile ship and took on the appearance she has today with missile ramps in the stern. The vessel was removed from duty in December 1997. She has remained exactly as she was that day her crew left her for the last time.

Today the HMS Västervik belongs to the Naval Museum. Every summer it is possible to follow a guided tour on board this time capsule from the Cold War. For more information see our guided tours.