Centenarians of Finland

Anny von Hamburg in Nagu

(credit: J. Pokka)

Finland’s Steel-Hulled Sailing Ships

Anny von Hamburg is Finland’s third-oldest steel-hulled sailing ship – and the only one of the three still sailing

Finland’s maritime heritage includes three sailing ships over 100 years old with steel hulls: Pommern, Suomen Joutsen and Anny von Hamburg. In addition, Finland is home to around ten wooden sailing vessels, with construction dates ranging from the early 1900s to the present day.

Together, these vessels represent a remarkable and internationally interesting part of Finland’s maritime heritage. With a few exceptions, their preservation and maintenance are the responsibility of private shipowners.

Three ships – three different stories

Based in Mariehamn, Pommern is one of the world’s best-known historic four-masted barques. Built in 1903, the steel-hulled vessel represents the era of the great ocean-going sailing ships, when cargo was transported across the world’s oceans under sail.

Pommern colorised by Frank Hellsten

Credit: The boating site (FB)

Pommern

Suomen Joutsen was built in France in 1902. Originally operating as a cargo vessel under several different names, she eventually became a Finnish state-owned training ship. For decades, Suomen Joutsen was used to train generations of Finnish seafarers. Today, she is preserved as a museum ship in Turku. At the writing of this she's currently undergoing refit that hopefully will add several more years along river Aura on display.

Suomen Joutsen in 1930's (built 1902 at St Nazaire, France)

Credit: trafiikki.fi

Suomen Joutsen in Turku, Finland, 2023

Credit: Marc Pingoud (shipspotting)

The youngest of the three, Anny von Hamburg, has retained the ability to do what a sailing ship was originally built to do – sail.

Anny von Hamburg – more than a museum ship

Anny von Hamburg is Finland’s third-oldest steel-hulled sailing ship and the only one of the three centenarian steel-hulled sailing vessels that remains seaworthy and in active use.

Anny is also remarkably well preserved in appearance. Her lines, deck structures and overall character remain close to her original appearance. When she enters a harbour under sail, she provides a very tangible glimpse of maritime history from more than a century ago.

Naturally, the ship’s purpose has changed over the years. Originally designed to carry cargo, Anny is now used to carry passengers, and her interior has been adapted accordingly. Externally, however, she has retained a strong sense of her historical identity.

This makes her more than a museum exhibit.

Anny von Hamburg is a living historic vessel.

Maritime heritage needs its custodians

Preserving a historic sailing ship means much more than simply keeping the vessel in good condition. It requires continuous maintenance, repairs, knowledge of traditional materials and construction, as well as the preservation of traditional seamanship skills.

With a few exceptions, the historic sailing vessels in Finland are maintained by private shipowners.

Economically, the times are challenging. A vessel more than a century old is never truly finished – maintenance requirements, repairs and safety demands are continuous. At the same time, the owner carries responsibility not only for their own vessel, but also for a part of Finland’s and the Baltic region’s shared maritime heritage.

The work carried out by private owners can easily go unnoticed. Much of it takes place in shipyards, engine rooms, on deck and in workshops, far from the public eye.

Yet without this work, many historic vessels would no longer be sailing.

History in motion

A ship preserved in a museum tells us about history. A historic ship that still sails can do even more: it gives people the opportunity to experience history.

When Anny von Hamburg sets her sails, it is not simply a matter of displaying an old vessel.

She moves in much the same way as she did more than a century ago – powered by the wind.

She also provides an opportunity to pass traditional seamanship and maritime skills on to new generations.

Pommern, Suomen Joutsen and Anny von Hamburg together form a unique part of Finland’s maritime cultural heritage. Their stories are different, but they share one important connection: they represent an era when sails were the only means of propulsion across the seas.

In the case of Anny von Hamburg, however, this history is not simply something from the past.

She is still sailing.

Anny enroute to Ekenäs in 2024

Anny von Hamburg - Factsheet

Type: Three-masted schooner
Rig: Gaff-rigged
Dimensions:
Length overall (LOA): 38.0 m
Beam: 6.95 m
Maximum draft: 2.65 m

Propulsion: Deutz diesel engine
Engine: Deutz 618
Power: 280 hp (206 kW)
Masts: 3, wooden
Sail area: 520 m²
Hull: Steel

Builder: C. Lühring, Hammelwarden, Germany
Built: 1914
Age: 112 years

Original owner: Diedrich Hasseldieck, Nordenham, Germany
Sister ships: 7

Original name and subsequent names:
Anny (1914) maiden voyage

Briz (1915-1925) the Russian years
Hanna (1925–1936) back in Germany
Kurt Both (1936–1957)
Ringö (1957–1980); Swedish and Finnish ownership/flags during this period
Anny von Hamburg (1980 - present day)

Current use: Passenger and charter yacht

Distinction: Finland’s third-oldest steel-hulled sailing vessel and the only one of the three centenarian steel-hulled sailing vessels that remains seaworthy and in active use.

* * * * *

Finland’s centenarian steel-hulled sailing ships:

Suomen Joutsen – built in 1902

Pommern – built in 1903

Anny von Hamburg – built in 1914

Cultural heritage preserved at sea

The best place for a historic sailing ship is not always as a museum. If a vessel can still sail, perhaps the best way to preserve history is to let her sail.