Götheborg

Götheborg is the name given to both an 18th-century Swedish East Indiaman and a modern full-scale replica of that vessel. The name comes from Gothenburg, the Swedish port city, historically rendered as Götheborg.

The original Götheborg (launched 1730) was a three-masted East Indiaman built for the Swedish East India Company to carry goods between Sweden and Asia. It took part in Sweden's overseas trade, especially with China, transporting tea, porcelain, silk, and other luxury goods. In 1745, on its homeward voyage from China, Götheborg struck a rock and sank off the Gothenburg archipelago near Vinga. The wreck remained lost for decades and was rediscovered in the late 20th century; it is among the best-preserved of its era and has yielded artifacts now displayed in Swedish museums. The ship's loss contributed to Swedish maritime lore and shipbuilding.

A modern, full-scale reconstruction, also named Götheborg, was commissioned to celebrate maritime heritage. Construction began in the 1990s, and the ship was launched in 2003. Built in the spirit of the original, the replica uses traditional rigging and carpentry techniques. The Götheborg has undertaken international voyages, including a voyage to East Asia in the mid-2000s to commemorate Swedish trade with China, and has since acted as a sailing museum and ambassador for Swedish maritime history. It is based in Gothenburg and operates under a non-profit foundation, hosting educational programs and public tours.