Originally built in the Netherlands in the early 17th century the ship was bought by the Swedish South Company in 1636 or 1637.

[1][2][3] The first expedition was prepared by Samuel Blommaert in secrecy in fear of the Dutch West India Company which at that time dominated the area.

Fogel Grip then cruised the Caribbean Sea for some time before returning to New Sweden bringing the former slave Anthony Swartz from St. Kitts.

The ship was then loaded with fur and tobacco before leaving for Sweden and on the return in around June 1639 the cargo was sold.

[3][5][7] Models of Fogel Grip and Kalmar Nyckel are kept at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.