Article from "Ejdern Telegrafen" 2000,
our yearbook.

Education: New B-engineers!

During the off time season new engineers were exanimated by me, Bengt "Cello" Persson, many of you know me as an engineer on S/S Ejdern.
The course took place on the premises of Maskinteknik/Klart skepp in Stocksund, outside Stockholm. Those buildings are old, from the turn of the century and used to house a coal fired steam operated power plant. 29 engineers to be participated, which was very good, some crew came from big steamers, others owned their own small steam launches and steam tug boats. Some of them had a long way to go morning and night, to attend the course. Those with their own launches were the most eager ones, even during the coffee break they kept me on my toes, which I didn't mind at all. It's always a joy to meet people with the same interest in steam as I've got myself. And you can have your cup anytime else. Each steamer society paid 2500 crowns to make the whole thing go around financially. Totally 20 days were spent on the course, one of these days on the steam ice breaker St Erik. On graduation day some 15 attended, some just couldn't make it but would find the time later. When the course started I'd promise everybody to try a real steamer and September 17 all could practice their skills on the steam ferry S/S Djur-gården 3. The skipper had such trust in the new engineers that he put in at the dock even without them knowing it. After this ordeal we had a small party on the ferry and the Stockholm steam fleet can now enjoy this needed addition of steam engineers.
Picture: The engineers to be, in St Erik's engine room, Photo©: Tomas Blom

Text: Bengt "Cello" Persson
Translation: Birgitta Bengtsson

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