The saving of Ejdern:

a race against time!

Saving Ejdern from the depths of Landsort is a true thriller. It´s been descibed by Per Fagerholm in his book about Ejdern, but Gert Ekström, now the curator at the Stockholm Technician Museum, can tell about the prelude. I met him a sunny day in October 2000 at the museum and was told a nostalgic story, but also funny and exciting, about the revival of Ejdern.    Model railways were Gert´s true interest during his youth. That led to an interest in old real railway carriages and Gert has taken part in saving a couple of hundreds during the years passed. The interest in history

was indeed awakened and he added veteran cars. In May 1964 he heard about a Ford model T for sale, to be found close to Södertälje and he went there to have a look. On his way back he passed Södertälje harbour and spotted the wrecked Ejdern. Living on a steamer?    This happened in the early 60s when there was an even bigger housing shortage in Stockholm than it is today. Gert lived very cramped with his parents and the model railway and other hobbies demanded space. When he saw the wrecked Ejdern he had an idea: Couldn't you use an

old steamer for housing? When you had done some repairs? When he came home he got in touch with the Harbour officials and the harbour master and was told that Ejdern was to be scuttled - the very next day. The following night was a restless one. He kept thinking and couldn't hardly sleep at all.    The next morning he phoned again and was now told that Ejdern already was scuttled. Gert persisted and referred to the harbour master and now he found that Ejdern was on tow to the depths off Landsort. Luckily the tug boat was a modern one with a communication radio and after a lot of phoning the result was that Gert could have Ejdern if he paid 800 crowns. To get what he wanted he made up a society for saving old steamers, he knew that he wouldn't get the steamer on his own.

The first picture card, Ejdern and a penny-farthing, also from 1880. All bikes like this one was to be transported free on Ejdern.    The tug boat turned and the following afternoon was very exiting for Gert, he wanted to be present when his steamer arrived in Stockholm, close to the Town Hall. He had managed to get hold of 300 crowns. He got stuck in a traffic jam and was just in time. - What are you going to do with this heap of junk, asked the tug boat skipper. It is the most dreadful wreck I've ever been towing. Gert didn't think so. He bought cigars and handed out and he lay down on the dock-side, smoked and almost felt like had become a father. It was trendy to save old steamers in the 60s and soon a small group formed around Ejdern and the

idea of living on the boat wasn't of interest any more. Indeed the steamer was a wreck! Everything of value had been removed and all glass panes smashed to make her sink faster. - I will always remember when we found a dead gull in the funnel and a wagtail's nest on the bilge-pump!    There was hardly time for anything else but Ejdern the first couple of years after the rescue. It was all a question of getting her in shape and ready for sailing, to earn some money. - We had constant dirty fingernails and smelled of Ejdern. Military iron basket for rope.    In the 60s some of the Stockholm archipelago steamers were broken up and the boys came into parts to a good price. Plush cushions, lamps, door locks and other things originating from various vessels, for instance Östan and Express I , and the sturdy iron basket for rope from a naval measure vessel . - Certain repairs from that period of need are still in working order on Ejdern, Gert informs. I should really change

Coffee table outside the cookhouse, stewardess dressed in turn-of-the-century dress. that old door handle from a coach some day. Do you know by the way, that the cap on foredeck comes from the tug steamer Kuriren?    From the start the goal was to restore as close to the original as possible. No modern materials at all. PR was important to get money. There was quite a lot in the Stockholm newspapers about Ejdern and people arrived with parts belonging to the ship. One firm donated paint, an unknown lady gave us a pools coupon which unfortunately didn't give a winning but still the idea was good. Blankets were bought cheap from SAS and a handy girl removed half of the A and stitched on EJDERN, and a kind mother made turn-of-the-century dresses for the stewardesses.    It was election year and boards with election posters were nicked to build a new wheel house. At night the boards were

The original wheel house temporarily placed in the Ekströms garden, Returned in 1972. lowered in water and in the morning the party leaders floated away. The liberals and even the left wing contributed but the socialists used the wrong glue. Legacy from Granny.    There was never enough money. A legacy from Gert´s grandmother came in handy. - Granny contributed to the rescue of Ejdern without knowing it, Gert says thoughtfully. It was important that Ejdern looked tidy and polished and soon they were ready to offer her to firms as a party boat, taking people on board at two posh quays, at the Town Hall or the Royal Castle! They even made sightseeing trips to Drottningholm (one of the royal palaces). There was a cut-throat competition. An old, slow and uncomfortable boat like Ejdern had to have something special to offer. At times there were cats onboard and even a rabbit was appreciated.    Gert Ekström and Ejdern met already in the 40s but he doesn't remember. But there is a photo showing him and his Dad standing on Ejdern´s deck. The family lived outside Södertälje a number of years and he treasures the old snap shot. It's of great value that a steamer like Ejdern is preserved, according to Gert. Ejdern served both as

a lorry and a coach in the archipelago and was not just a passenger vessel like most other preserved old ships.    It was hard work those years but a lot of fun, Gert remembers. The youngsters learned a lot too, how to restore an old ship mechanically, the restoring job gave them skills and they benefited a lot socially too. Many of them then founded their knowledge of social history and work in museums today, as Gert does. The gang still meets regularly and the interest in Ejdern even resulted in a couple of marriages.    Gert Ekström has been a member all these years. The other day he visited Ejdern and he has even bought Bent Malta´s exquisite model. The interest in boats today focuses on the family leisure boat `Drott´, a 12,5 meter long steel vessel built in 1972 which he bought 18 years ago. He has been at The Stockholm Technician Museum for 35 years now. He has also issued 16 books, among them `All our steam launches´, which he co wrote, in 1994. text: Gunda Gripenberg translation: Birgitta Bengtsson