The

steamship A steamship, often referred to as a steamer, is a type of steam-powered vessel, typically ocean-faring and seaworthy, that is propelled by one or more steam engines that typically move (turn) propellers or paddlewheels. The first steamships ...

''Norrskär'' (literally ''North Skerry'') was built in

Gothenburg Gothenburg ( ; ) is the List of urban areas in Sweden by population, second-largest city in Sweden, after the capital Stockholm, and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated by the Kattegat on the west coast of Sweden, it is the gub ...

in 1910. Originally named ''Sandhamns Express'', she traded between

Stockholm Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...

and

Sandhamn Sandhamn (Swedish language, Swedish for "Sand Harbour") is a small settlement in the central-peripheral part of the Stockholm Archipelago at the 59th parallel northnord59.se in central-eastern Sweden. approximately 50 km (30 mi) east of ...

in the

Stockholm archipelago The Stockholm Archipelago () is the largest archipelago in Sweden, and the second-largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea (the largest being the Archipelago Sea across the Baltic in Finland). Part of the archipelago has been designated as a Rams ...

. She was sold to

Waxholmsbolaget Waxholms Ångfartygs AB, commonly referred to as Waxholmsbolaget, is a shipping company owned by Stockholm county council and is responsible for the seaborne public transport in the Stockholm archipelago and Stockholm harbour. The company, which i ...

in 1947 and gained her current name in 1949. Today ''Norrskär'' is a listed historic ship of Sweden and forms part of Waxholmsbolaget's classic fleet, alongside ''Storskär'' and ''Västan''.

History

''Sandhamns Express'' was built by the Eriksbergs Shipyard in

and was delivered to Oscar Seippel on April 5, 1910. On April 24, she was introduced on the route from

via Vindö, Djurö and

Runmarö Runmarö is an island located in the Stockholm archipelago in Sweden. The island is known for its many species of orchids (at least 27 different kinds) and 9 marshy lakes. Notable residents Author and entomologist Fredrik Sjöberg lives on the ...

. The ship was sold in 1915 to Stockholm - Sandhamns Rederi AB, whilst continuing to serve the same route. In 1947 she was purchased by Waxholms Nya Ångfartygs AB, better known as Waxholmsbolaget, when her previous owners ceased trading. She was renamed ''Norrskär'' in 1949, when she was moved from the Sandhamn route to serve other routes within the archipelago. In 1967 the ''Norrskär'' suffered a fire during welding on the hull, but was repaired. She has received replacement boilers in 1970 and 2000, and a new wheelhouse in 1993.

Operation

''Norrskär'' has been in regular traffic in the archipelago since she was built. Today, along with Vaxholmsbolaget's other classic ships, she is in regular traffic between May and September, serving the route from Stockholm to

Vaxholm Vaxholm is a city, urban area and the seat of Vaxholm Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden. It occupies the islands of Vaxön and Kullö in the Stockholm archipelago. The name Vaxholm comes from Vaxholm Fortress, which was constructed in 154 ...

and other central archipelago islands. She has a top speed of , a length of , a beam of , a draft of , and carries 265 passengers.

References

{{Oldest surviving ships (pre-1919)
Norrskär Norrskär Norrskär