By: Associated Press

STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Swedish scientists said a 17th century warship raised nearly intact from Stockholm’s harbor to become one of the country’s top tourist attractions is deteriorating faster than expected.            

It has been known for years that the historic ship Vasa is decaying because of chemical processes begun after it was raised in 1961 and placed in a museum. But scientists are struggling to find ways to stop the corrosion -- and a new study shows the decay is happening quicker than previously thought.            

Lars Berglund, a professor at Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology, said the strength of the ship’s wood has degraded by at least 50 percent since 1961.            

About 1 million visitors a year admire the intricate wood carvings of Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628.