The following boards tell the history of the Strömfors Ironworks – situated in the municipality of Ruotsinpyhtää – and of the harbor in Ahvenkoski village used by the ironworks during 1690-1953. (Strömfors Ironworks is one of the best preserved historical ironworks areas in Finland: https://stromforsinruukki.com/en/)
Start by reading the panel on the right side of you/behind you.
20. AHVENKOSKI
Ahvenkoski village, situated on the westernmost branch of the Kymijoki River, has been a significant salmon fishing location since the 14th century. The inhabitants relied on fishing for their sustenance, and the unimpeded rapids produced a plentiful catch, from which the Bishop’s Manor (subsequently Suur-Ahvenkoski Manor) managed by the Bishop in Turku received his portion, and from which a tax was imposed on the Swedish Crown as well.
As salt became increasingly prevalent in the Nordic countries, salmon emerged as an important trade commodity. The impressive fish catches in the region and the closeness to a historic sailing route leading to the Gulf of Finland played a significant role in Markkinamäki (“market hill”, located near the village of Vähä-Ahvenkoski) emerging as one of the most important marketplaces along the southern coast.
Marketplace
Trade was rigorously regulated during the Middle Ages. The annual markets on Markkinamäki were conducted since 1553 at Bartholomew’s or Bertels’ Day on August 24th. During the market time, the residents of the archipelago and rural peasants from the Uplands convened at Markkinamäki to sell or exchange salted fish, furs and tar for products supplied by the merchants.
Only the merchants registered in Porvoo and Helsinki had the right to trade in Ahvenkoski village. The goods were transported to place in yachts, but the trade directly from ships and boats was long prohibited, with exception of the sale of grain, lime, herring, seal fat, copper and iron in barrels. The merchandise would be sold from their respective trading stalls in the harbor or in the marketplace.
BORDER MUNICIPALITY WITH STAPLE TOWN RIGHTS IN 1744-1745
The Treaty of Turku in 1743 resulted in the boundary between Sweden and Russia being relocated to the western branch of the Kymijoki River, placing the staple town of Hamina beyond the newly established border.
A new border and trading town was considered essential for the Swedish Empire, with plans for its establishment in the village of Vähä-Ahvenkoski.
During and after the war, numerous merchants from Hamina sought refuge on this side of the border in pursuit of a means to sustain their livelihoods. They sought permission to establish themselves in Vähä-Ahvenkoski and to conduct foreign trade from that location. The aim was to sustain foreign trade relations continued until the final location of the new border town was established. The King of Sweden agreed, and consequently, Ahvenkoski was granted provisional staple rights.
Ahvenkoski never achieved town status but remained a border municipality until 1809. When the town of Degerby (Loviisa) was founded in 1745, it acquired both the staple rights and the Bertel’s Day markets.
20. STRÖMFORS IRONWORKS’ HARBOR IN MARKKINAMÄKI
There was a pier with a loading area in Markkinamäki in Ahvenkoski village already in the 16th century, which was probably built for the need of the medieval markets. The merchants who visited the yearly market were obliged to pay a harbor fee for the landowner. Barns for storing and selling fish may have been built on the shore at that time as well.
In addition to the harbor in Markkinamäki there was another loading pier further to the south in Sandholmen island by the Ahvenkoski Bay which was used by the Strömfors ironworks. Larger ships had to anchor out in the bay. The raw material needed in the ironmill was transported from ship to shore by barges. And further on from Markkinamäki to Strömfors ironworks by horse-drawn carriages.
After the Finnish War in 1808-1809, the ironwork still had the right to purchase its raw material, tack iron, from Sweden. The situation was changed in the 1830s when the ironworks in Finland started to use raw material from the Finnish mines.
When the ownership of the Strömfors ironworks was transferred to Antti Ahlström in 1886 he concentrated the operations on the Strömfors sawmills and on wood processing. His company expanded the harbor area in Markkinamäki and built a narrow-gauge railway from the ironworks to the harbor in 1905.
Both the harbor and the loading place in Sandholmen island were used by the ironwork and sawmill throughout their history. The operations of Strömfors sawmill as an export sawmill continued until 1953. The railway was demolished a couple of years later.
Photos: Barns in Markkinamäki old harbor 1946-1954. Private collection.
Map showing the loading place in Markkinamäki in Ahvenkoski. E. Tukkila. 1913. Land Surveying Office.
Photo of how the ships were loaded in Sandholmen loading place. K.E. Stålberg. 1898. Finnish Heritage Agency.
Aerial view of the harbor in Markkinamäki, 1941. Land Surveying Office.
Photo of a barge loaded with boards. 1900-1929. Finnish Heritage Agency.
20. SHIPBUILDING AT SANDHOLMEN SHIPYARD
Life in the archipelago has consistently relied on boats, which the residents often constructed themselves. Vessels, lodges, and barges utilized by the Strömfors ironworks were likely constructed on the beach even prior to the establishment of the shipyard on Sandholmen island.
There was an existing loading pier on Sandholmen designated for the ironmill’s operations. Adjacent to it, a dock was constructed for launch of larger vessels.
The necessity for an independent shipyard emerged following the death of Henrik Johan af Forselles in 1790. The councilwoman Virginia af Forselles carried on her husband’s legacy, recognizing the necessity for the ironworks to possess its own vessels to ensure foreign trade.
The shipyard at Sandholmen was likely established between 1805 and 1807, during which time the couple’s son Jacob Henrik was engaged in shipbuilding in Finland. He also helped his mother in reconstructing the manufacturing workshop and the sawmill in Strömfors. He had acquired his shipbuilding training at Hellerstedt Shipyard, located in Västervik, Sweden.
The schooner FREDRIK (1825) and ENIGHETEN (1836) – and possibly also the brigantine SNÄCKAN (1844), constructed of pine on Kravel, were all constructed at the Sandholmen shipyard. The aerial view from the early 1940s shows two cargo barges under construction on the northern shore of the islet, ready to be launched crosswise into the water.
Photos: Sandholmen island. Land Surveying Office.
Aerial view of Sandholmen in 1941. Land Surveying Office.
A photo of building of a Galeas. U.T. Surelius, 1914. Finnish Heritage Agency.
20. CHRISTENING AND LAUNCHING A SHIP
Even the ancient Greeks christened their ships with wine to wish the vessel good fortune on the oceans of the world. As Christianity disseminated throughout Europe, holy water was employed to consecrate ships with the priest or bishop overseeing the naming.
Subsequently, new traditions were incorporated into the postponement celebrations, such as consuming beer, schnapps, and punch. The shipowners commemorated the occasion by hosting a festive dinner for their friends. Additionally, the shipbuilders with their spouses were entitled to an extravagant banquet and entertainment.
The launch frequently drew a substantial audience to the shores, and work at the shipyard was halted. When the vessel slipped off its tracks, it may be met with applause or even cannon fire. Simultaneously, its name was disclosed.
Vessel nomenclature
The ownership determined who possessed the authority to select a name for a ship. Typically, names were associated with the owner, or the geographical location: WREDE, LOUISA. Vessels were also named in honor of royalty or the offspring of the shipowner: GUSTAV IV ADOLF, CHRISTINA, JULIANNA, MARIA, FREDRIK. Mythological, astrological and religious names have long been prevalent: MERCURIUS (deity of commerce), NEPTUNE (deity of the oceans and water). Subsequently, the name of a vessel may embody the perspectives, endeavors or a desire for seamless navigation, achievement, and a harmonious business transaction, such as HOPPET (hope), LYCKAN and FORTUNA (luck), ENIGHETEN (consensus), CONCORDIA (harmony, reconciliation) or VÄLGÅNG OCH FÖRSIKTIGHET (success and caution).
Photo of a ship launch in 1912. Finnish Heritage Agency.
The last panel with currently taken photos shows where the Markkinamäki harbor was located and how it looks today. There is a shop of the fish smokehouse with a tiny café in the area today.
Your tour in our Maritime Museum has come to its end. The last “room” to enter is the saloon of S/S VIRGO. The ship was built for the wellknown shipping company of Finska Ångfartygs AB in Helsinki in 1906. The steamer was scrapped after 57 years in service. The ship’s saloon was, however, saved and is now the pride of our museum. S/S VIRGO was a relatively small vessel with a cargo capacity of 1,200 tons only. The table and the chairs in the saloon are not original.
We thank you for visiting us and hope that you enjoyed your tour!