6. SPAIN TRADE SHIPS IN Loviisa-Cádiz ROUTE

During 1745-1913 over 200 ships sailed from Lovisa to international harbors – mainly to the Mediterranean Sea, but also to North and South America. These ships are usually called Spain trade ships due to the salt that was shipped between Loviisa and especially Cádiz. On their journey to the faraway harbors, they carried wood, iron and tar. And came back to their home harbor with salt och luxury goods such as coffee and spices.

Spain trade ship HELIOS

The barque HELIOS was the last Spain trade ship of Loviisa, and the longest serving sailing ship. She was built during the winter of 1839-1840 in the New Shipyard of Siksala.  The barque HELIOS had a crew of 11-15 men. First, the principal owner was Josef Björkstén, but in 1859 the ownership was transferred to his son Alfred Björkstén. Richard Björksten, the brother of Josef Björkstén, was the first master of the ship and he made 14 journeys to Cádiz during 1840-1853. Later masters made about 50 trips on the same route.

In 1865 seven chests were loaded into HELIOS in Copenhagen. The chests contained a plaster statue meant for the church of Loviisa. This statue was most likely a copy of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christ statue, which is still in the church of Loviisa today.

After sailing for 57 years carrying timber products to Cádiz and bringing back salt HELIOS was sold to J. Jansson in Korppoo in 1898. 

Spain trade ship MAINIO

The Spain trade ship MAINIO was one of the last ships built in the New Shipyard during the winter of 1856-1857. The main builder was Josef Björkstén, but already in 1859, his son Alfred Björksten acquired a majority of shares in the ship.

The first and longest serving master was Johan Fredrik Rosqvist from Loviisa. The crew numbered 11 to 14 men. According to customs records MAINIO sailed into her home port 39 times from Cádiz. In 1897 MAINIO was sold to Copenhagen.

Spain trade ships ALEXANDER I and ALEXANDER II

In 1870’s the merchant and ship owner Arseni Terichoff acquired two barque ships with imperial names ALEXANDER I and ALEXANDER II.

The ALEXANDER I was built in Mustasaari in Vaasa in 1860 when she was given the name ARGO.  She was bought to Loviisa as an overhauled ship in 1870. After a major overhaul in the winter of 1882-1883 the ship was given a new name. The crew was 13-14 strong. During 1870-1888 the ship made 18 trips to Cádiz, but visited also Copenhagen, London and Middlesborough.

The ALEXANDER II was built in Uusikaupunki in 1856 and was bought to Loviisa in 1872. The vessel had been overhauled in 1868 and underwent major repairs again in the New Shipyard of Siksala in 1880. Carl Mauritz Lagerstam was the master from 1875 to 1891 when he died on the way home from Cádiz. ALEXANDER II carried pit props to Hull, Liverpool and especially to Middlesborough for many years during the 1870’s and 1880’s.

On 5th of November 1894 ALEXANDER II met her end in Eestiluoto, south-east of Helsinki, on her way back from Spain carrying a cargo of salt. Captain K. Soini and two sailors sank to the depths with the ship.

Spain trade ship SUOMI

SUOMI was built in Pyhtää during the 1855-56 and had a crew of 12-18 men. The ship was sold to Åland in 1890 and wrecked in 1911.

6. A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

The barque MAINIO has a special place in the maritime history of Loviisa, and Finland as well. A collection of photographs has been preserved from one of her trips to Cádiz in the summer of 1892. The photographer, however, has remained unknown.

The barque MAINIO was one of the last Spain trade ships, which sailed through Öresund, past the Kullen Lighthouse at the tip of Högnäs peninsula to the “West Sea”.

In the summer of 1892, the ship master was A. Johansson. Photographs taken on the way to Cádiz show the captain on the afterdeck, a sail being repaired and a carpenter at work as well as some sailors in their work clothes. Included is also a photo of “Kullen man”, a traditional figure who first-time sailors had to meet when passing the Kullen Lighthouse.  The tradition can be compared to ceremonies of crossing the equator. There are also photographs of the ship chandlers and people in the Cádiz port.

Photographs: Institute of Maritime History, Åbo Akademi, Turku

Records of the Sailor’s Home: Hämeenlinna County Archives