"Kalmar Nyckel" was constructed in about 1625, and was of a design called a pinnace. The ship was originally named "Sleutel" (Dutch for key), and to distinguish it from several other ships called "Key" it was known by the name of the city of Kalmar, which purchased the ship in 1629, as its contribution to a state-sponsored trading company, "Skeppskompaniet". It was later purchased into the Swedish Navy. When Sweden decided to establish a trading colony in the New World under the direction of Peter Minuit, "Kalmar Nyckel" was chosen for the voyage. A smaller vessel, "Fogel Grip" ("Griffin Bird"), accompanied her.