Was Wasa aka Vasa painted WHITE below the waterline?

[Fever 4 the Sea]

Ahoy there mateys!

I'm still gathering information on the colouring of the Was ship.

I have the basic wood colour sprayed onto the hull and decks as well as the red. I've also drilled out ALL of the holes in the deck and forebeak gratings.

I'm wondering if the Was was painted WHITE below the waterline? Does anyone here know?

Cheers

 

[AndyA]

Seventeenth century ships are often depicted as whitish below the waterline. This was not paint but a coating of tallow and other stuff. The color might vary depending on the other stuff. With tar, darker. With lime, lighter. With sulfur, yellower. In any case, I would suggest that a model shouldn't be too white but look kinda dirty. Pictured is my idea of the schooner Sultana of 1767. Fair winds!

 

[Short John Bronze]

Very informative. Thank you. This resurrects the old chestnut of authenticity vs aesthetics! Dirty white vs bright white; Blackened vs shiny brass fittings; guns out (both sides) but courses not brailed and capstan bars in place etc. Let us all do what we are happy with and not bow to the approach (or reproach) of others.

 

[AllanKP69]

If you want to be 100% sure, these contacts may be helpful. The bottom was probably coated as described by Andy. Metal sheathing did not come about until about 150 years after Wasa was launched and promptly capsized in the harbor.
vasamuseet@smtm.se
Fred.Hocker@smtm.se I think this is his email
46 08-519 548 80 ( 10 am-5 pm, Wednesdays 10 am-8 pm)