Clayton Johnson Photos

1/50 Scale Vasa

Clayton’s finished 1/50 scale Vasa sits in a display case.

1/50 Scale Vasa

The stern is ripe with detailed carvings.

Vasa Longboat Construction

The following four photos show how Clayton went about the construction of the scale longboat that was found along with the Vasa.

Vasa Longboat Construction

Vasa Longboat Construction

Vasa Longboat Construction

Original Vasa Warship

These final two photos show the original Vasa during the resoration process in its original building in 1973. For years, all of the wood on the ship was treated with polyethylene glycol to replace the salt water, keeping the wood from rotting. This process has continued ever since, and the wood will be treated for years to come.

Original Vasa Warship

In this photo, the decorative carvings on the stern were laid out on the museum floor, as the ship was not yet restored to the point where they could be applied. The smaller parts were treated in vats of liquid preservative, and were available for display before the whole ship was restored. The compete Vasa is now on display and has been viewed by over 30 million visitors.

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

Clayton’s 1/144 scale model of the Vasa salvage operation. The real Vasa sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628. As it left the harbor in Stockholm, a gust of wind tilted the ship, and it took on water through its gun ports—sinking to the bottom of the harbor. A top-heavy design and insufficient ballast were to blame.

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

A roll test was performed in port before sailing, but orders from King Gustavus Adolphus sent the ship out anyway. It made only 1,300 meters before going down.

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

The silt bottom of Stockholm Harbor helped to preserve small parts that fell off the ship when metal fasteners rusted away, or when salvage attempts cut through the ship. Cold water that was not very salty helped preserve the rest of the wood for over 300 years.

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

Putting the ship back together involved preserving the wood as it was brought back above the surface, and then reassembling the ship’s hull and rigging. The restoration process took many years until it was finally moved to its present museum in 1987 (where preservation work still continues).

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

Two barges, or hulks, were stationed above the sunken ship during the salvage operation. Clayton’s model shows the sunken ship on the bottom, and the hulks positioned above it ready to begin raising the ship.

1/144 Scale Vasa Salvage Model

In this photo, the tip of the Vasa mast can be seen barely protruding from the water between the barges.

Turning a Scale Cannon

First, Clayton turned some wooden originals and carved the decorations into them.

1/10 Scale Vasa Cannons

Clayton then took molds and reproduced the barrels in resin.

Scale Vasa Cannons

Unlike Clayton’s 1/50 scale model, which is completely detailed inside and out, the museum’s 1/10 scale model only includes the outside features of the ship.

1/10 Scale Vasa Cannon

The carriages were made from wood and brass. The original warship carried cannons on three decks, along with two 1 lb Falconets that were positioned on the quarterdeck.

1/10 Scale Vasa Model

The 1/10 scale Vasa model on display in the Stockhom museum features Clayton’s scale cannons. The carved figures provide scale for the scene.

1/10 Scale Vasa Model

A close-up detail of one of Clayton’s cannons on the upper deck.

1/10 Scale Vasa Cannon

The block and tackle rigging helped to secure the large guns in place. They were also used for handling the gun, aiming, running it back when loading, and securing the cannons when the ship was experiencing rough weather. (This is where the term, “loose cannon” comes from—they could be very destructive if they came free in a storm.)

1/10 Scale Vasa Cannons and Rigging

Clayton’s 1/10 scale Vasa cannons are lined up along with the block and tackle rigging for support.

Carved Spoons

These carved wooden spoons feature a Norse theme, and the names of Clayton’s family: Clayton, Amy, and young Magnus. The spoons were carved from holly.

Wooden Pull Toy

Clayton built this pull toy for his son, Magnus. When the log wagon is pulled, the woodpecker pecks away at the logs.

Sea Monster Toy

This hand cranked sea monster toy is action packed, with the monster seeming to attack a ship full of archers. Parts of a broken ship float through the rough sea. Clayton also built this toy for his son, Magnus.

Sea Monster Toy

The message on the side is a nice dedication from father to son, and the toy will no doubt be treasured by generations to come. Watch a YouTube video of this wooden creation in action at the link below these photos.

Wooden Warhorse

This is a wooden carving of Streiff, the royal warhorse of the Swedish King, Gustavus Adolphus. The horse died from wounds after the battle of Lutzen in Germany in 1632 (the same battle that the King died in). Interestingly, the stuffed horse is on display at the Livrustkammaren Museum in Stockholm. Clayton’s wooden model was carved from basswood, as are a majority of his works.

Norse Carving

In 2013, Clayton decided to do a series of carvings that reflect the different styles of Norse or Viking art. The first one that he completed was an Urnes style (late Viking age) dragon. That carving is pictured here. Then Clayton worked his was back in time through each of the six different styles. Not all of these styles had a clean transition from one to another—there was considerable overlap. Despite this overlap, it’s surprising how quickly one style took over after another. This suggests very efficient communication through the Norse world considering the technology of the time.

Wooden Vasa Sculpture

During the spring of 2013, Clayton carved a sculpture modeled after one from the Vasa warship. The original sculpture was located on the trim of the upper edge of the door between the helmsman’s cabin and the admiral’s cabin. Clayton carved his version of the sculpture at a little less than half the size of the original.

Wooden Salmon Carving

In the fall of 2013, Clayton was asked to carve a Coho salmon for a woman that he met at the Vasa museum. The carving was made in memory of her uncle, who worked as a fisheries biologist for a Native American tribe in Washington state. Clayton carved the 18″ salmon from basswood.

Wooden Ornament

This is a large and very intricate carving of a Moorish style round ornament that features Clayton and Amy’s names in the center. This photo shows the scroll cut piece before finishing.

Wooden Ornament

Clayton’s carved wooden ornament after the shapes were rounded and contoured.

Carved Wooden Bench

One of Clayton’s more recent projects was this intricately carved wooden bench, which he made for his wife. The bench was built with storage below the seat and completed in December 2014.

Carved Wooden Bench

The wooden bench is 54″ long, 57″ tall, and 43″ deep.

Carved Wooden Bench

Clayton noted, “Inspiration came from Norse and Celtic forms of art, but also from one or two pieces of furniture that I have seen that were made of pierced and carved panels. These weren’t in medieval northern European styles, but they made me think about the feasibility of using other styles in a similar way. We are currently storing books in it.”

Carved Wooden Bench

The majority of the bench is basswood, with small amounts of walnut (the initials) and bloodwood (the runes on the end). Microfiber was used for the upholstery on the ends.

Carved Wooden Bench

Flintlock Baker Rifle

During the winter of 2011, Clayton built this flintlock Baker rifle from a kit by Rifle Shoppe. He carved the stock himself. The Baker rifle was essentially the first successful government issued military rifle in history, and was used by the British army from 1800 until the late 1830’s.

Matchlock Vasa Musket

This matchlock rifle is the same as those used on the Vasa. After building the Baker rifle, Clayton decided to build a matchlock musket. He built the musket in .62 caliber during the fall of 2012. Because a pre-carved stock was not available in the necessary shape, Clayton decided to carve his own from a piece of alder wood. Most 17th century Swedish firearms were commonly stocked in either alder or beech wood. No walnut grows that far north.

Amy Firing the Baker Rifle

Clayton’s wife, Amy firing the Baker rifle.

Clayton Firing the Baker Rifle

Clayton loading up his Baker rifle for firing.

Clayton’s Woodshop

Clayton’s Woodshop