#15304
Provenance
Place
s/s HALLAND in Stockholm
People
NN, Valter Almén
Description
s/s Halland has such an unusual and dramatic history that it is worth mentioning a few words about it here.
She was built for Hallands Ångbåtsaktiebolag by AB Motala Verkstad, it is unclear when she was delivered, but in 1848 - 1850 she operated between Gothenburg and Lübeck.
In 1918, she was sold to AE Appelberg, a "front company" for Bore, allowing them to circumvent the rigorous Finnish laws regarding the import of ships.
She made her maiden voyage for Ångfartygs Ab Bore in September 1918 on the Turku - Stockholm route.
On the return trip she collided at Yxlö with the German s/s Cronshagen, whereby a large hole was torn in the side and the master ran her aground to prevent her from sinking!
s/s Halland was sold, salvaged and repaired in early 1919.
After less than a year the ship was bought by Ångfartygs Ab Bore, the picture of the sailors above probably dates from this time.
In 1928 she was renamed BORE II and used on the Helsinki - Stockholm route.
In 1930 she was bought by Bore's owner, Hans von Rettig, and converted into the luxurious yacht "SEAGULL".
In 1936 she was donated by von Rettig to the Finnish state to be used as the President's ship, now renamed AURA.
She served faithfully under Presidents Pehr Evind Svinhufvud and Kyösti Kallio.
During the Winter War, she was taken over by the Finnish Navy, now as a submarine chaser, under the name AURA II.
On January 13, 1940, when a Soviet submarine was depth charged, a 135 kg depth charge exploded on the aft deck.
The entire stern was torn off and AURA II sank within 5 minutes in the icy winter sea!
Although other Finnish ships were nearby, only 15 of the 41-strong crew could be rescued.
She was built for Hallands Ångbåtsaktiebolag by AB Motala Verkstad, it is unclear when she was delivered, but in 1848 - 1850 she operated between Gothenburg and Lübeck.
In 1918, she was sold to AE Appelberg, a "front company" for Bore, allowing them to circumvent the rigorous Finnish laws regarding the import of ships.
She made her maiden voyage for Ångfartygs Ab Bore in September 1918 on the Turku - Stockholm route.
On the return trip she collided at Yxlö with the German s/s Cronshagen, whereby a large hole was torn in the side and the master ran her aground to prevent her from sinking!
s/s Halland was sold, salvaged and repaired in early 1919.
After less than a year the ship was bought by Ångfartygs Ab Bore, the picture of the sailors above probably dates from this time.
In 1928 she was renamed BORE II and used on the Helsinki - Stockholm route.
In 1930 she was bought by Bore's owner, Hans von Rettig, and converted into the luxurious yacht "SEAGULL".
In 1936 she was donated by von Rettig to the Finnish state to be used as the President's ship, now renamed AURA.
She served faithfully under Presidents Pehr Evind Svinhufvud and Kyösti Kallio.
During the Winter War, she was taken over by the Finnish Navy, now as a submarine chaser, under the name AURA II.
On January 13, 1940, when a Soviet submarine was depth charged, a 135 kg depth charge exploded on the aft deck.
The entire stern was torn off and AURA II sank within 5 minutes in the icy winter sea!
Although other Finnish ships were nearby, only 15 of the 41-strong crew could be rescued.
Miscellaneous
The "Fiskberg" croft
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