As I was visiting Tristan da Cunha a colleague of mine had told me there is a Finn buried over there. Before the port was the local cemetery so I requested our hosts to stop there to have a quick look.
Eventually I found the grave after some walking about the headstones and the slab said Arthur A Söderlund had been buried there after an accident working on the South African fishing vessel Frances Repetto.
Life and career milestones chronology:
1898 Born Hindersböle, Jomala, Åland Is, Finland (under the Russian Grand duchy)
1911 Started seafaring on a Baltic schooner "Aasis" (ex. "Saxon") as galley hand
1915 Signed on Lawhill as Ordinary Seaman
1917 Arrived Brest through blockade with grain cargo, ship was laid up
1921 Undermates examination achieved
1922 - 1925 (?) Sailed on Norwegian vessels, 3 yrs, 3-masted schooner "Linden" as mate
1926 Married Elize (?)
1927 Achieved his Mate's ticket and sign on "Herzogin Cecilie" as Mate
1928 (or 1927) Daughter, "Doris Hildegard" is born
1931 Master's ticket achieved
1932-1933, Appointed Captain of Killoran, his first command
1933 Sept, Appointed Captain of Lawhill
1939 Lawhill laid up in Glasgow
1939 Took command of a steamer but was blown up in a minefield off Terschelling
1940 Jan - Feb, Captain of Killoran
1942 Lawhill is confiscated by South African Gov't but many crew continues with Capt Arthur
1945 Doris is studying in technical school Cape Town
1947 Nov, signed off Lawhill and handed over to his Ch Mate Madry Lindholm
1954 Died in an accident onboard Frances Repetto off Tristan da Cunha
Capt Söderlund was born in 1898 in Hindersböle, Jomala, Åland Is, so he was only 56 years of age. He had apparently fallen over and injured himself badly and died. According to another source, he was hit in the head by a cargo derrick whilst discharging into another fishing vessel, "Tristania". The incident occurred possibly in rough weather, as they usually do, and the consequences were fatal. The newspaper on Åland Is wrote that he was buried at sea according to his daughter, so I'm not sure if there was a body under the headstone. It could have been placed there because he had perished at sea close by Tristan da Cunha, other records says he's buried there, go figure.
Graveyard in Calshot (Edinburgh of the seven seas)
Quoting text from the headstone below: "In ever loving memory of my dearest husband and father Captain Söderlund; for many years Captain of the 4-masted barque Lawhill; accidentally killed aboard his vessel the "Frances Repetto" off the Island of Tristan da Cunha, Born Åland, Finland 1898, Died 15th of May 1954."
Grave of Capt Söderlund
Arthur Alexander Söderlund had started at sea when he was 13 yrs of age (1911) as a galley hand on "Aasis" and kept on sailing, in 1932 - 1933 he was Master on Killoran before he was appointed Master of Lawhill. There is a 20 years period gap between when he advanced through the ranks and attained his first mates position on "Herzogin Cecilie" and then onto "Killoran" that was his first command. As he had been on the schooner "Linden", which was also part of the Erikson fleet, he must have been making a reputation within the Company and as such his longevity was rewarded.
Steel barque "Saxon" (Aasis) in Adelaide (courtesy of Australian State Library)
Records on various sources shows Capt Arthur "jumping" between Lawhill and Killoran so maybe he was doing short stints and filling up where needed as the times were quite turbulent. He mentions in one interview that he also ran a steamer or two in 1939. Could also be mixing up with his predecessor who has the same name as he has, Johan Arthur Herman vs Arthur Alexander.
The modern "Linden", replica of the old Linden 1920-1937 (courtesy of Tallshipfan)
Captain Arthur had been appointed Master of the 4 masted barque Lawhill between 1933-1947. She was owned by the renowned shipowner Gustaf Erikson and was the largest sailing ship in the Finnish merchant fleet at the time. Captain Söderlund had his family, wife and daughter, onboard for 7 years during the war, they embarked in 1940 when the ship was visiting Mariehamn in Åland Islands (Finland) for loading cargo. Arthur had made an ultimatum to the shipowner that he'll resign lest his family could follow, the shipowner, Gustaf Erikson acquiesced on the condition that they get no preferential treatment.
"Herzogin Cecilie" loaded with timber (courtesy of J.A.Mikkola)
Eventually Lawhill was arrested by South African Gov't in 1941 and then taken as a prize of war in 1942.She then traded on with the Finnish crew that remained but the shortcomings were plugged in with Danes, Australians and South Africans and even German POW's. She called ports along the southern African continent, South America and Australia until 1948 when she was intended to be turned into a sail training vessel but this was never realized. Subsequently a year after she changed hands and was laid up in Mozambique by the new Owner who didn't have the wherewithal in the end to restore her up to seaworthy sailing condition as per Class requirements.
"Killoran" (courtesy of J.A.Mikkola)
In the 1950's Lawhill eventually had (or was) grounded in Matola river, Mozambique (Maputo) and rotted and finally was broken up there by 1959. She was laid up there for many years and finally bought by another local who had a hunter break her up and ship the scrap to Japan.
Capture of Capt Söderlund & Mrs Elize Söderlund, courtesy of Australian Sunday times
So in essence Capt Arthur was outlived by Lawhill by some 5 years of more trading. She met her demise off the coast of Mozambique being abandoned by the khan. The Lawhill story ended 5 years later, forgotten up in a river creek off Maputo, awaiting her destiny until she was cut up there by Werner von Alvensleben in his spare time, who then had the scrap sent to Japan on the "Dahlia" in 1959.
Above screenshot courtesy of Facebook by Robert Carter
The Lawhill had originally been built in Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company yard of W. B. Thompson, Dundee, Scotland in 1892. During her lifetime she did plenty of miles visiting almost every conceivable major port in world. Her port of calls and change of Captains are surprisingly well recorded under Eriksons ownership here and here.
Lawhill (coloured by Frank Hellsten, courtesy of Flickr)
In a summary of Lawhill and her Masters there is a passage by Capt Henry Cloigaard Christensen who sailed with Capt Arthur all those years and says the following:
"You have asked me to give you an appreciation of Capt A Söderlund. Well, that is a mouthful! I am sure that, having grown up, he seems to have turned into an entirely different person. He no longer seems the old "so-and-so" we called him 30 years ago. My first impression was that he was an old salt, wearing a bowler and what goes with it. He was a, short stubby man, not easy for a young seaman to talk to, only after having been onboard the ship for a year or so did he seem to realize that we seamen also were a brand of human beings. He had his good side, however, as he was a careful skipper, taking in sails at the right time, which saved us a lot of unnecessary work and also saved the old ship a lot of forcing. He knew how to handle the good old Lawhill - I must pay him that respect. Another good point concerned the food onboard. As he liked good food himself the food was above the average of what was usual in sailing ships. We always carried more livestock than just one pig for Christmas. At one time we had as many as eight pigs and about 16 sheep, which were slaughtered enroute. I am sorry to say I have no knowledge of Söderlund as a navigator, but the talk onboard was that the Chief Officer, Madry Lindholm, was the bright head. As for deck commands when needed, the 2nd officer, Bruno Erikson took over; he was the tough boy."
To me it seems Capt Arthur was quite clever to surround himself with good officers and as such he managed to get a team onboard with different strengths to take up the slack in his weak areas, and that probably was his secret to success all those years. Also being a careful Captain is all that it is about, the sea will never forgive or give any quarter, for it is merciless when it comes to it. It also appears that over the years he also learned that it is not a one-man-show to sail and as such placed more responsibility on crew and treated them as such, not to mention the good food. Many crews have failed due to a bad cook or poor rations.
Frances Repetto (courtesy of Shipstamps)
According to shipstamps Frances Repetto was a wooden "mercy ship" built in Canada in 1944 and was then sold to South Africa in 1947 where she was converted to fishing and renamed "Voorbok", then in 1954 she was sold again and renamed "Frances Repetto". This time it was to Tristan Development Co and that's when Capt Arthur gets in the picture to his detriment, apparently he had taken up interest in rock lobster fishing. Frances Repetto continued working until 1971 when she sunk under tow off Robben Island. The vessel looks very much like the minesweepers built in the era.
Frances Repetto as "Voorbok" (courtesy of Tripadvisor)
Doris pictured in Australian Women's weekly 26 06 1943
It appears his daughter Doris (and wife Elize?) had moved ashore in South Africa by 1947. In an article from SA Yachting magazine Aug 1978 there was a picture of Cap Horners gathering in Cape Town from 1977 featuring Doris.
Doris Söderlund above the "Horn..." text, 1977
She never returned to Finland and died in March 2001 leaving property behind in Åland Islands, her parents native domicile. There was no surviving next of kin for the inheritance. I can't see any further (free public) record of the mother nor Doris apart from the Cap Horner gathering and when she passed away leaving property behind.
Doris Söderlund in South Africa with a visiting actor from Finland in 2000.
Photo courtesy of ENyan news
Doris Söderlund has also been mentioned in a gathering of old Cape Horners in Cape Town. In the article from Sea History edition no 093/2000:
Quoting: "Doris Söderlund who sailed in her father's four masted bark Lawhill for a dozen years, captured a table full of Picton Castle crew with her precise stories of her years under sail: escaping the Russians in Finland; sailing through mine fields; long howling passages to Australia; racing around Cape Horn in the teeth of hurricane-strength westerly; icebergs; injunctions to not associate (much) with the male crew of Dad's ship. In the end Doris captured all of us."
Capture from the Sea history article, Doris Söderlund standing left of the wheel
NEWS CLIPPINGS:
As ironical as it is, it seems there is more information documented of the Söderlund's family life in Australian news papers (at least publicly). Also judging of the amount of writing in different news papers it appears the ports of call have always been a great happening back in the day. I imagine Arthur has been very busy the first days in port when being bombarded by reporters and officials as well as Company admin & mail, provisions, fresh water, etc. Below are some news clippings showing the public interest in Lawhill and of her captain and crew.
Here in 1931 it is quite evident that the crew was quite young and multi national, although I believe the Captain was the predecessor of Arthur as they shared the same name:
Adelaide News 05 February 1931
Quoting:
"FINNISH BARQUE -
Youthful Crew on Lawhill
Of the four sailing vessels now at Port Adelaide to carry wheat to Europe the Lawhill is the largest, but is manned by the youngest officers and crew.
That claim was made today by Mr. Alfred Ericsen (second officer), who is 22 years of age. He is the youngest officer on board. the third mate being two years older. The chief officer, Mr. W Nordström, is only 25 years. and Capt. Arthur Söderlund 32.
The sailmaker is the oldest. He is 35. E. T. Lindström, an apprentice, is the youngest, being 17. The average age of all on board is between 21 and 22.
The Lawhill is expected to complete loading tomorrow afternoon. when it will be towed to Semaphore anchorage to await a favorable wind."
*****
Also pleasantries did not only stop on land, here is mentioned a chance meeting (probably with some coordination via the wireless) in the middle of the Atlantic and visits were paid, the Captain before Arthur had the same surname as he did, the article has a typo. Perhaps Arthur, as Chief mate, was also invited to join in for dinner:
Times of Ceylon 13 June 1931
Quoting: "Courtesies when becalmed
London, May 29th
Within 45 minute the three-master Favell (111 days out of Wallaroo), the smallest windjammer in the fleet, and the four-master Lawhill (105 days out of Adelaide), the largest windjammer, arrived and anchored near to each other at Queenstown (Cork). While both were becalmed off the Azores on the voyage, Captain Lille and his wife from Favell rowed over to the Lawhill and had dinner with Captain Söderlund. The crew of the Favell captured a turtle in the North Atlantic and made it the ships pet.
[The steel barque Favell (1,334 tons) was built at Bristol in 1895, and the stee; barque Favell (2816 tons) was built at Dundee in 1892. Both are Finnish-owned.]"
*****
Sighting of the missing training ship Kobenhavn wreckage on the high seas, Lawhill was making good speed, 12kts:
Liverpool Post and Mercury 19 April 1934
*****
Here's an announcement in the papers about a dance onboard, I got to admit, Capt Arthur had style, and all for a good cause:
The Kadina and Wallaroo Times 09 02 1935
Quoting: "Ship's Dance at Wallaroo.—By kind permission of Captain Arthur Söderlund, master of the s.v. Lawhill, a public dance will be held- oh the Lawhill, 1 now at Wallaroo, on Wednesday next, February 13. The dance is being arranged by the Wallaroo Hospital Auxiliary committee in aid of funds for Wallaroo Hospital comforts. The officers' and staff of the Lawhill are preparing and decorating the boat for the dance, and a thorough good time is anticipated. Good music is assured, including piano and drums. The admission charge is 1/, and supper will be obtainable on the boat. Dancing from 8 p.m. till 1 a.m."
*****
Also good to show how lucky some where to be rescued at sea in bad weather. It is hard to find someone in calm seas let alone in rough seas and poor visibility:
The Advertiser 04 Jan 1937
Lawhill Arrives 86 Days Out
RESCUE AT SEA
PORT VICTORIA, January 3.
After a smart passage of 86 days from Belfast, the Finnish four-masted barque Lawhill (Captain A. Söderlund) arrived here yesterday morning
Leaving Belfast on October 7, the Lawhill made a remarkably fast passage through the North Atlantic, and reached the Equator in the excellent time of 26 days. Hopes for a record voyage to Spencer Gulf were dispelled by a series of strong head winds in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
When the Lawhill was in latitude 6N, a young English seaman fell from the jib boom into the sea. Lifebuoys
were thrown overboard, yards were backed, and in eight minutes a life boat and crew were out in search of the man. Hardly had the boat been lowered when a terrific electrical storm, accompanied by torrential rain and wind of gale force, enveloped the ship. It was almost impossible to see beyond the rails of the barque, and Captain Söderlund feared that not only the man but also the lifeboat and crew would be lost After an hour the wind shifted and the Lawhlll was turned about and sailed back over her course.
Nearly two hours after the accident the ship was sighted from the lifeboat, which steered for the vessel, having given up the search. When the boat was almost alongside the Lawhill. the missing man was suddenly seen through the mist, clinging to one of the life buoys. He has rescued little the worse
for his experience.
School Of Whales Sighted
While running her easting down the Lawhill one morning- -was surrounded by the largest school of whales ever seen by Captain Söderlund. No less than 200 of the huge creatures were counted, from the ship.
On December 14, while in the Indian Ocean, three earthquake shocks were recorded. The first two were mild tremors, but the third, which Captain Söderlund estimates to have lasted for 90 seconds, was much more severe Lamps and fittings shook violently, and' members of the crew were considerably alarmed.
The Lawhill has been chartered by Louis Dreyfus & Co., and is awaiting orders. She has rock ballast and is anchored at the outer ballast ground about eight miles from the jetty.
The Adelaide Steamship Company's Quorna arrived here yesterday, and lifted 1,000 bags of barley on account of the Y.P. Barley Pool for transshipment at Port Adelaide.
*****
I am quoting below the text from the article (with some spelling mistakes corrected) from the Australian Sunday Times article from 9th March 1943 by Tora Beckinsale:
Captain Takes His Family To Sea To Escape Bombs
They Feel Safer on Romantic Barque Than in Finnish Home
The four-masted barque Lawhill sails hazardous wartime seas as she plies between Australia and South Africa, but for all that she has meant home and safety for three years to her captain's wife and daughter from bomb Wrecked Finland.
"If we go down, we all go down together" said Captain Arthur Söderlund when he brought his lovely ship into an Australian port the other day. "Last time I went to Finland, in 1940, 1 found my wife and daughter practically living in bomb shelters. That was no good, so I asked them to sail with me."
- So, from their modern flat in a town in Åland Island, came Mrs Söderlund and Doris to make their
wartime home on the most romantic type of ship there is.
Tall and beautiful, with a half century's salt in her timbers, she lies today dappling an Australian wharf with the shadow of her rigging, and rides tomorrow in full sail, exulting in . the boisterous winds of the wide seas.
To this new life Mrs. Söderlund brought her knitting...
In fact, she brought to her new home afloat all the interests and occupations of life ashore, the cares of wife, mother, and homemaker.
She and Doris live their lives aboard just as the captain's wife and daughter. They take no part in actual sailing activities.
"But, of course, they do not just sit and make up their faces when there is an emergency," said the captain. "If my sailors get knocked about in a storm, they put on overalls and gum boots and sou'wester caps, and get hot water and bandages and help me to doctor the injuries."
Not long ago the ship ran into such a bad storm that she was under water for 18 hours, and it was touch and go with her. This was one of the few times when the women had to lend a hand.
They bailed water out of their own quarters. "But they were not frightened," said Captain Söderlund, proudly. 'It takes a lot to frighten a woman."
Doris can climb the rigging.
"But I do not allow it," said her father. "I like her to be a lady.
"It is no life for a woman in a sailing ship," he added, ruefully. He said a few words in Swedish to Mrs. Söderlund, who nodded her head firmly.
She does not speak English, but Doris does, and Swedish, too. "My father says it is safe enough for us to sail with him, and so we just don't worry," she said. "But I'll be glad when the war is over and we can live on shore again."
However, in the Lawhill, which is owned by the South African Government, they are very happy and comfortable.
Captain Söderlund has seen that their quarters, although small, are snug and cosy. A small bunk has been fitted in what was previously the skipper's writing room for Doris' bedroom. It is a charming little room, with flowered chintz curtains at the porthole and screening off the bunk. There is a fixed table and a small locker for her belongings.
Her mother and father sleep in the adjacent cabin. Most of the time of Mrs. Söderlund and Doris is spent sewing their own clothes or knitting for the captain. "Sailors wear out their woollen clothes very quickly," said Captain Söderlund. He's a typical sailor, and has been at sea since be was 13. He started as a cook boy in a Baltic schooner, and his people were seafaring people for generations back.
His wife also comes of seafaring stock. She has to look after their clothes with especial care because sea air is ruinous for clothes. There is sometimes a shortage of fresh water to make difficulties with washing.
Doris, who wears her light brown hair in a long, fluffy bob to her shoulders, has become, under her mother's tuition, a clever little needlewoman.
Her father showed with pride a huge suppercloth embroidered by her, and pointed out two little tapestry pictures which she has worked.
The Söderlunds have a family of pets - aboard. Bella, the Scottie, is very valuable. "She came from Glasgow, where GBP800 was offered for her mother, but the owner, would, not sell," said the captain, with a pat for Bella.
"This is Ronnie. That's a girl's name in our country," said Doris, introducing a big, lively brindle bitch, which is a great favorite with the family
"Ronnie sleeps in the box we have for the dogs until all is quiet. Then she creeps out and jumps on my bunk and sleeps there for the night," said Doris.
Peacefully asleep on the captain's bed was Tassie, the black cat, called after Tasmania, which is a favorite stopping place of Doris.
Then there are Tip and Tap, the tortoises, who calmly munch lettuce or hard-boiled eggs in a corner of the saloon.
"When it is rough we put them in a box," said Doris.
Mrs. Söderlund has no actual housekeeping to do aboard. Cooking is done by chief cook Leo Nielsen, who came from Denmark, and the assistant cook. Fred Arenase, of South Africa.
Menus depend on the time between ports.
"We have been as long as 78 days," said the captain, "and then we cannot have fresh food."
Daily meal routine for the Söderlunds is breakfast in the mess room at 7.30, dinner at 12.30, and tea at 7.30. They have coffee between meals. Cleaning, washing and scrubbing are done by the steward and cabin boy.
Most important of all Mrs. Söderlund's tasks aboard is Doris education. She attended the school for boys and girls at Mariehamn, her home town.
"You know, Finland was the first country to have mixed' schools," said the captain. "My daughter was very fond of sports, especially skiing and basketball, and always acted in the school plays."
Although Doris' ordinary schooling has been interrupted, her mother is training her in all the womanly arts, and she is going through the grand finishing school of travel.
She has splendid poise for such, a young girl, and talks well.
Mariehamn, on Åland Island, was the birthplace of both Captain and Mrs. Söderlund. They were married there, and Doris was born there.
This island, which has a population of about 27,000 people, is under Finnish law, but is an independent State with its own small Parliament It is about 20 miles by ll miles in size, and is one of a group of no fewer than 8000 islands.
Doris wears the shield of her home State on a pendant hung round her neck.
*****
Here's an article from Melbourne where Arthur has related his escapade off the Dutch coast and some inner workings of the Lawhill as well as a mention of a paper they published.
The Argus 05 June 1943
"LUCKY LAWHILL" SAILS ON
Gallant Barque Defies War Perils
With her delicate tracery of masts and yards towering above the more prosaic funnels and derricks of rusty tramps, the 50-year-old barque Lawhill lies at an Australian port. Majestically defiant of storms and enemy action alike, Lawhill carries on the square-rig tradition in an age that has come to regard the sailing ship as a curiosity. Her skipper, Capt Söderlund, has already lost a ship through enemy action in the war, but, nothing daunted, he carries on.
"I was born free, " he said yesterday," and no Nazi or Jap is going to drive me from my livelihood. I first sailed aboard this ship as an AB more years ago than I like to remember. I came back to her as captain early in the war after having had a ship blown from under me by a mine off the Dutch coast, and, except for a period before the South African Government (my present owners) took over, I have kept this old vessel sailing."
Lawhill, known to old salts the world over as "Lucky Lawhill," shows little sign of her age. Spick and span in her black and white paint, she lies at her berth, tugging hard at the heart-strings of all old sailor-men who pass her by. She's a different ship today from any that sailed the seas in the days of "wooden ships and iron men," however. Replete with steam, heat, and a diesel winch to hoist sail, she carries on now under the 3-watch system. Three watches means 4 hours on duty and 8 off ; a bit different from the old days when men did their 4 on and 4 off all round the clock.
The Lawhill publishes a paper twice weekly, too. Edited by the donkey man, Bert Speight, who returned to the sea after 20 years ashore because he felt that a sailor would be of better use to his country afloat than driving an engine at a goldmine, this sheet gives the latest shipboard gossip, as well as such news as can be picked up by radio.
Speight first went to sea in 1904 in a Finnish ship, and he is a West Australian, and proud of it. There are other Australians aboard. Boyd Thompson, the deck boy, has been on articles only for a few weeks, but he's fallen in love with the sea already. "It'll do me for a life," was Bert's terse comment. A crew of Finns, Danes, and 7 South African apprentices completes the ship's company, not forgetting, of course, the mate and second, who, like the skipper, are Nazi-hating Finns, and it would be hard to meet a jollier and keener team.
"The old Lawhill's a lucky ship," the captain said, "lucky enough for me to have my wife and daughter
Doris aboard with me, so that's that!"
*****
Here Lawhill has made landfall, the crew looks very happy to arrive after weeks at sea:
Townsville daily bulletin 17 August 1944
Quoting: Upper picture "RELIC OF THE DAYS OF SAIL, Through a world of grey mechanised sea war, the four-masted barque "Lawhill" a rare relic of the days of sail, arrived in Sydney after 41 days voyage from South Africa. On board were a crew of 45 and as passengers the wife of Captain Arthur Söderlund and their 17-year old daughter, Doris. The barque was in Glasgow when the war broke out, flying the Finnish flag. When Britain went to war with Finland she was taken over by the British."
Lower picture: "Some of the crew of the four-masted barque "Lawhill" wave a cheery greeting as their ship is towed to anchorage in Sydney Harbour after a 41-day voyage from South Africa."
*****
Another article I came across from Australia, this time from The Sydney Morning Herald from 9th of May 1946 by Pamela Eriksson by airmail from South Africa, in the long summary of tall ships and their fates during WWII she she shortly mentions Lawhill as follows:
"The "Lawhill" long nicknamed "coffin" and the oldest ship that Gustaf Erikson owned, being his first, buy", (and incidentally the foundation of his fortunes) is still sailing the seas, cement boxes and all under the flag of the South African Government. She visited Australia during the war and has carried well over 50,000 tons of cargo.
She arrived in Capetown a few weeks ago from Bunbury and will probably be sent to South America on her next trip.
Captain Artur Söderlund has sailed in her for donkeys years - before the mast, as mate and then as skipper, and even a world upheaval could not part him from her or his family.
The last time he and the "Lawhill' were in Finland, just before war broke out, he said that he would no longer sail her unless he could take his family with him. So they came on board, and there they have been ever since. I suppose his daughter Doris is the only modern girl who has grown up on board a sailing ship, and Captain Söderlund is certainly the only skipper who has sailed throughout the war with a wife and daughter on board."
It seems the condition of her hull was not great, the mention of cement coffins are an old way to fix leaks onboard cargo ships, have done a few myself over the years.
*****
In Womens News section featured Doris Söderlund and her life onboard, one would understand that the family already had a domicile in South Africa:
Daily Telegraph 09 August 1944
Quoting: "Doris Söderlund, daughter of the captain of the barque Lawhill, with the 19-year-old third mate, James Barrett and Ronnie, one of the ships dogs.
Spends Life Aboard Sailing Ship
The first purchases which pretty, fair-haired Doris Söderlund will make in Sydney when she comes ashore from the four-masted barque Lawhill, which arrived yesterday, will be gramophone records.
Doris who is 17, and her mother, Mrs Arthur Söderlund, wife of the captain f the ship, have made it their home for the last four years.
When Mrs Söderlund and her daughter were met in their comfortable cabin, Doris was completing a list headed "Records I shall buy." Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters are among her favorites.
During each trip we play our newest records until they are worn out.
"We have to use the gramophone because we can't have the wireless on very often" she said.
No rationing
Mrs Söderlund asked about coupons, "At our homeport in South Africa, shopping is difficult. There is no rationing, but one has to be first to buy the things which are needed."
Doris who looks younger than her 17 years, explained that she and her parents are Swedish-Finns. They come from Mariehamn, an Island off Finland near Sweden/
Mrs Söderlund does not speak much English, and Doris acted as interpreter.
"Learning English is the only schooling I have" said Doris.
"I've been onboard since I was twelve. Life is monotonous at times but mother and I always keep ourselves busy with knitting or sewing and when I am very bored I polish the brass."
*****
Arthur and Lawhill, also his history with North Sea steamer and how he was blown up in a minefield off Terschelling. He also talks about when he started as a galleyboy and when he was 13 as well as the ships arrest in France.
Examiner 16 August 1945
Quoting: "Reminiscent of historic seafaring days is the four-masted Finnish barque, Lawhill, with the picturesque rigging, which recently visited Hobart for the second time during the war.
The Lawhill has a proud record of over 50 years on the high seas. She has a capacity of 4500 tons and was built by W H Thompson and Co Ltd engineer and shipbuilders at Dundee Scotland for the Anglo-Indian jute trade. In 1911 she was purchased by Mr G Erikson of Mariehamn, between Finland and Sweden for £8500. Mr Erikson is the worlds largest owners of sailing ships.
During the first World War the Lawhill traded between England, South America and Australia, but was laid up in 1918 as storeship for the US forces in France. In 1919 Mr Erikson secured a valuable contract with the French Government for two voyages to Australia for the Lawhill and the Woodburg, a smaller ship. In 1921 the Lawhill ran aground just outisde Port Lincoln, in Boston Island is a Bay since known as Lawhill Bay. Until sold to Finland the Lawhill sailed regularly out of Liverpool. She traded with case oil out from New York to the Far East, returning to Britain with jute.
For the duration of the war the Lawhill was operated by the South African Government, and on her recent visit flew the flag of the Union [of South Africa].
Fresh meat supply
The Lawhill is equipped with steam for secondary tasks. In addition she has electric lighting and a motor boat. By carrying her own pigs and sheep the vessel ensures a continuous supply of fresh meat at sea.
The Finnish master, Capt A Söderlund has been described as one of the finest navigators afloat. He first sailed on the Lawhill in 1915 as an ordinary seaman. At the outbreak of war in 1939 the Lawhill was laid up for a period in Glasgow and Capt Söderlund took charge of a steamer in the North Sea. In November 1939, the steamer ran into a German minefield off Terschelling (Holland) and was blown up. The crew was rescued by a Dutch lifeboat.
Asked why he prefers a sailing ship to a steamer Capt Söderlund admits that he enjoys the matching how wits with the sea. "The Sea" he says :"is like a game of chess. You never know what the next move is going to be" Although Finnish, the Söderlund family is all Swedish speaking, like all Finns on the Islands and coastal districts of the Baltic.
Family aboard
Mrs Söderlund has accompanied her husband on the Lawhill since 1940, when they left Finland for England at the time of the Russian attack on Finland. Their 16 year old daughter sailed with them until recently, when she (remained in) Capetown to study domestic science. There is a lovable family of dogs onboard, who make themselves at home in the Captains cabin.
Although the majority of the crew are South Africans and Scandinavians there are seven Australians serving on the Lawhill. Of those young, T Broughton, of Hobart, is one. He enjoys the variety of his life at sea, and speaks warmly of the crew's friendly cooperation with each other.
During the war the Lawhill has covered about a quarter of a million miles. She has battled through storms which no steamer would survive, her decks swamped at times with raging seas. The Lawhill made two fast passages. On one round trip, which tool only 7 months 15 days, she cleared about £120.000.
While in Hobart the Lawhill unloaded a cargo of cocoa beans for the Cadbury-Fry-Pascal factory."
*****
Arthur recounted his experiences during WWI blockade and how he signed off to go sailing on Norwegian vessels.
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate 21 February 1945
Quoting: "THEY CALLED the Lucky Lawhill - that four-masted top gallant barque which lay alongside the wharves in Newcastle for many weeks.
Young people viewed the raking masts and riggings with some curiosity, but for older people the masts and spars turned back pages of history.
The Lawhill has probably reached her destination on the other side of the world .
The Captain knows and loves his ship. He has been master of one or two steamers, but when the chance came he returned to his old love.
"I am not too old yet to enjoy a battle with the elements. When I grow old and feel I want to take it easy I'll go back to into steam" he told a "Herald" reporter.
The captain was A.B. in the Lawhill in the last war. It was then she acquired the title "Lucky Lawhill." When other ships failed to get through the submarine and mine blockade off Brest in 1917 the Lawhill reached the harbour with a cargo of Australian wheat. She remained at the wharves, chartered as an American warehouse, until 1919. The captain left her at Brest and sailed for three years in Norwegian ships.
In 1927 he rejoined the Lawhill as Chief Officer. He assumed command in 1932. Under his command the barque made about seven to Australia but seldom reached the east coast. The captain's wife and daughter have been traveling the world aboard the Lawhill since 1940.
Work on the sailing ships, according to the captain, is almost as hard as on the olden days. men still have to go aloft on the 168 foot masts as they did in Nelson's day. They still have to furl sail and make repairs, check over the ropes. A steam donkey engine eliminates loading and unloading by hand. It also supplies steam heat for the cabins. A small diesel engine is used for hauling sail.
A couple of very fat and very friendly dogs greeted strangers when they climbed aboard the ship. The only indication of modern appliances was the donkey engine hauling cargo from the holds in small baskets. In every other respect the ship was similar to the hundreds which sailed from the port in the 80's. The old wooden capstan worked by manpower, the strange settings for the navigation lights, the steering wheel in the open, with binnacle an compass; hundreds of ropes - an apparent tangled network against the sky - stays and braces, coils of rope varying n size, creaking masts and small figures tenaciously clinging to yard arms.
But down below in captains quarters was a modern touch. Grained wood, much like cedar, lined the walls. A mantel radio was playing a popular air. Australian waratahs were in vases on a magnificent velvet table cloth. Thick carpet covered the floor. Chairs and settee were upholstered in blue leather. A kerosene lamp swung from the ceiling, and a bronze plaque of Mr Churchill looked down on it all. There was another fat dog in the cabin. he was wearing a tartan collar. A live turtle, said to be very old, was placidly feeding from a handful of lettuce leaves.
The ship carried a crew of 43. There were eight cadets from South Africa and six Australian boys.
The Lawhilll was towed to sea when she left Newcastle. A tug took her well over the bar into a favorable trade wind. Slowly the sails were unfurled. The ship heeled to the breeze. One of the last of the windjammers sailed away."
*****
Here it is revealed Capt Arthur has applied for naturalization so possibly he was having a Union of South Africa citizenship by then, also his daughter had been left behind to attend college in Cape Town:
Townsville Daily Bulletin 17 November 1945, whole article below:
Last Voyage From Sydney
The stately four-master Lawhill, the last of the windjammers, has lately sailed from Sydney Harbour, on her last trip out of tbe port. Built at Dundee, Scotland, 52 years ago, the Lawhill is the largest full-rigged ship afloat (length 311 feet, beam 46 feet). In full sail she carries 52,000 square feet of canvas, there are miles of rope in her rigging and running gear. Old sailors who have served their time before the mast will admire everything about the Lawhill except one thing—
They'd be a bit contemptuous of the modern conveniences which the Lawhill's master. Captain Arthur Söderlund has built below deck. For the Lawhill is more than a ship to Captain Söderlund; it has been home, too, for him, his wife, and 18-year-old daughter Doris since 1940. Doris isn't aboard this trip: she remained in Capetown to attend a technical college. Attractive, medium-built Mrs. Söderlund, who spoke, broken English, admitted that life on a sailing ship is sometimes monotonous. 'But most times there is plenty to do,' she said. 'There is the usual housework, the cleaning of brass, and attention to be given to our pets— three dogs, two parrots, two small tortoises, and Peter, the monkey.
'The cooking, thank goodness, is done by the ship's cook. 'Whenever we touch port, especially Sydney, there is shopping to be done, but, like shore people, coupons bother me, too.' There are no 'old salts' aboard the Lawhill. Present crew of 44 are all young men. most of them seeking adventure. Eight of them are Australians . Youngest is 15-year-old Arthur ('Tich') Holgate, deckboy of Capetown. At every port adventurous youths—and girls, too — apply for cadetships on the barque; there is a waiting list of 150.
Captain Söderlund, himself, is only in the mid forties, though he has sailed the seas in windjammers for 33 years, the last 18 in the Lawhill. A Finn by birth, he has recently applied for naturalisation as a British subject. When World War II broke out the Lawhill was in Glasgow flying the Finnish flag. But when Britain went to war with Finland the Lawhill was taken over by the British authorities. She is now in the employ of the South African Government, and will begin a regular run between Western Australia, and Capetown carrying Jarrah railway sleepers for the South African Government. South Africa needs 15,000,000 sleepers (landed cost 27) said Captain Söderlund. So It doesn't look as if the Lawhill will be out of a job for a long time."
*****
The news article about starting Lawhill as a sail training ship but this never realized it seems. The tone of the write up sounds almost defiant stating there was no difficulty finding crew and a charter. Perhaps with the 31 men of which 5 were cadets they really scraped the bottom of the barrel as the signs of the end were there, earlier articles mentions crew complements of 40+ in happier days. Not sure what the drydock in Durban entailed, maybe it was an annual Class and maintenance period or sales survey:
The Evening Telegraph 21 March 1947
Quoting: "The Training ship Lawhill
A £20,000 company to be known as Lawhill (Proprietary), Ltd, has been formed in South Africa to run the last Dundee windjammer as a training ship.
The ship, after being fitted with a new main top-gallant yard at Cape Town, has sailed for Durban to drydock. She will afterwards load coal for the Argentine.
No difficulty was found in obtaining a crew with experience in sail. Most of the 31 men who have signed on for the maiden voyage had previously served under Capt. Arthur Söderlund, who has resumed command. He has been in the ship for many years as second mate, mate, and master, first under the flag of his native Finland and since 1941 under the Red Ensign.
Four cadets from the South African training ship General Botha have joined the Lawhill. As experience is gained and more cadets become available, the complement of the ship will be increased to maximum of 45.
*****
Article of the Lawhill at the end of days when they were still shipshape but just about, Capt Arthur's legacy after he had signed off. Also the shortage of sailing vessels for sailors is also testament to the fact that they had eight Master mariners among the officers and crew. History shows that the wheat cargo loaded in Beira for Durban was her last long voyage. After this she went to Maputo and never sailed again:
The Advertiser 07 February 1948
Last of "Limejuicers" Is a Happy Ship
by "SEAMEW"
ANCHORED in Port Victoria Bay. close to the Finnish sailer Viking, is the South African four-masted barque Lawhill.
Owned by a Capetown syndicate, she is loading a full cargo of wheat for Beira, in Portuguese East Africa. The two windjammers have attracted many visitors to Port Victoria, and already hundreds of people have inspected the Lawhill.
Last of the famous "lime juicers" which crowded, the sea lanes during the closing decades of the nineteenth century, and flaunted the Red Ensign in every important port, the gallant Lawhill is nearing the close of a long career.
Approximately £60,000 was spent on the vessel during the war years, but her half-century of battling with the elements is written everywhere upon her and the end cannot be far distant. Costs of maintenance are rising, wages have increased threefold, experienced seamen are difficult to engage, and profitable freights are elusive.
It is fitting that Lawhill should end an honorable career with an English speaking crew, for it was Scottish craftsmen who built her at Dundee 96 years ago. Today, with the British-built Moshulu wrecked, and Pommern laid up, Lawhill is the last of her class.
Originally intended for the jute trade, Lawhill has passed through many vicissitudes. While British owned she traded between Calcutta and Dundee, entered the Golden Gate in quest of wheat, and loaded grain at many Australian ports. After her purchase by Capt. Erikson, of Mariehamn, 25 years ago, she became a regular Australian grain trader.
The South African Government confiscated Lawhill during the war, and the ship frequently visited Australia. Recent cargoes have included timber from Western Australia, maize from South America, steel from Newcastle, and even apples from Tasmania. A few months ago Lawhill was sold to J. Sturrock and a Capetown syndicate.
Built to carry—she can stow 55,000 bags of wheat—Lawhill makes no claim to beauty nor any pretence to being a clipper, but she is a comfortable ship and easy to handle. She does not set royals, brace winches are installed, and a steel wheel house is an additional luxury.
Surprisingly, Lawhill has particularly good lines aft, but her fine clearance is completely nullified by bluff bows and a full midship section, and 12 knots appears to be her maximum speed.
Probably never before has the old windjammer carried such a polyglot crew; and probably never has there been greater esprit de corps. Orders are obeyed with alacrity, and executed to the singing of the same age-old chanties that were sung in the palmy days of sail. Heavy tasks, such as hoisting yards or. shipping the clumsy steel motor lifeboat, performed by capstan crews, become spirited races between the port and starboard watches.
South Africans, Germans, Finns, Australians, and a Canadian "bosun" are included in Lawhill's complement, but English is spoken by all hands, and orders are given in that language. The five nationalities have become welded into a highly efficient crew. By his fellows each is judged by standards of seamanship and comradeship, not by accident of birth.
Guiding spirit of the ship, Capt. Lindholm is well known in South Australia, having served in the sailers L'Avenir and Viking. Squarely built and soft-spoken, he exemplifies quiet efficiency. Capt. Lindholm intends settling in his adopted country South Africa.
Chief Officer Eriksen, like his captain, with whom he has been shipmates seven years, is Finnish. Built on generous lines, he possesses great strength, and—an equally valuable asset —a keen sense of humor.
Bearded Second Mate Nankin - who regrets that he did not live 50 years earlier, when wind jammers thronged the seas—and Third Mate Barrett are South Africans and devoted to their ship.
Lawhill's complement must be unique in that it includes five master mariners! In addition to Capt. Lindholm, the wireless operator and three members of the fo'c's'le have masters' certificates.
Oldest man in the ship is "Pop" Speight, Australian-born donkeyman. Erstwhile steeple jack at Johannesburg, he joined Lawhill for a holiday. There is saltwater in his veins, for he went to sea half a century ago in the barque Adolf Tidemann: At 63 be goes aloft with the agility of youth when there is a call for "all hands."
During the outward passage a ship's newspaper was published. Edited by "Pop" Speight, news gleaned by radio and items contributed by members of the crew was typed in quadruplicate by "Sparks" and circulated among the personnel.
"Shellbacks" who served in Lawhill in her salad days would discover many refinements to day. An efficient radio transmitter and a qualified operator enable daily contact with the shore, and banish the sailing ship master's greatest night mare by allowing him to check chronometers with time signals.
A receiving set in the saloon, ensures news and entertainment whilst on the high seas. Several members of the crew also have receiving sets. Electric light has been installed, and cabins are provided with a system of steam heating. Another valuable adjunct is a large ice chamber on the main deck, capable of holding 21 tons of ice, which ensures fresh food for nearly a month at sea.
The old "limejuicer" in her declining years is in gentle hands. Her brasswork gleams, her cabins are spotless, and her decks and rigging shipshape. She is tended by a crew many of whom are sailing ship enthusiasts and whose oft-expressed fear is that the voyage may not pay and their charge be relegated to the shipbreakers.
But it is to be regretted that some lovelier example of the Scottish shipbuilders art has not survived to become the last of the windjammers.
*****
As an interesting footnote, the crew of Lawhill lived on and the ex Chief Officer, Capt Nankin, ended up establishing a merchant marine training program in South Africa. Also Capt Arthur's successor, Capt Madry Lindholm, was naturalized in South Africa in 1957 and he passed away in Cape Town in 1967. Indeed today there is in Simon's town a training centre carrying the name of Lawhill maritime centre (established in 1995).
For me this has been an interesting post, as it was the grave I saw first, literally went from death to birth unraveling the thread of life of Capt Arthur. Also very surprising how much information there is out there of people that has gone forth over 80 years ago considering that the internet and electronic records have existed a much lesser time. Of course one has to remember that he only survived in the annals of history due to Lawhill, as you may have noticed, there is nothing about his wife Elize, except her title, name and some pictures left.
Hope you enjoyed this one.
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