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Stockholms Rederi AB Svea
Part 1: 1871-1962
 
 
This page is the first of two devoted to postcards of the passenger ships of Stockholms Rederi AB Svea (a few typical freighters are also included). Subsequent deliveries are shown on Page 2. Johnson Line AB acquired all Svea shares in 1981, and the Johnson Line ships between 1981-92 are also shown on these pages.
 
An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order.
 
Stockholms Rederi AB Svea (originally Stockholms Rederi A/B) was a long established company which began operating steamships in the 1800s. They operated cargo and passenger services along the Swedish coast, within the Baltic region, and also further afield. Cooperation with Bore Line and the Finland SS Co on services to Finland began in 1918 - this cooperation evolved into Silja Line in the late 1950s. In the 1930s Svea had a fleet of around 100 ships, the largest of which were about 2000grt. Many of the services were not profitable, and a group of Swedish families formed the Stjärnbolagen - owned by three family holding companies based in Stockholm, Gävle and Malmö. Stjärnbolagen, led by Emanuel Högberg, acquired over half the Svea company to protect its services. A substantial building programme of new steam freighters was undertaken at this time, although many of the passenger ships were very elderly.
 
After WW2, the Stockholms Rederi AB Svea expanded into owning larger ocean freighters, and developed ferry services from southern Sweden under the Scandinavian Ferry Lines, Linjebuss, Skandinavisk Linietrafik and Trave Line banners. Modern purpose-built car ferries did not arrive until the mid-1960s. A short-lived service to the UK began in 1966 with the impressive Svea (1). Finances were again unsound in the early 1970s, and the owning group sought another Swedish partner. Rederi Nordstjernan, parent company of Johnson Line AB, acquired a majority share holding in Svea in 1975, and they took the remaining shares in 1981, at which point Stockholms Rederi AB Svea became a property company. The ex-Svea ships in Silja Line received Johnson Line funnel colours. Johnson Line set about rationalising the Svea services as soon as they held a majority holding in 1975. Svea and its subsidiaries then operated ferry services from Sweden to Finland, Denmark and Germany, and freight services across the North Sea and to the Mediterranean and West Africa. Svea had about 25 ships at this time. The Trave Line operation was merged in 1976 with SJ/Svelast, to form Saga Linien. In 1978, Bore Line withdrew from the Silja Line consortium, leaving Svea and Effoa (Finland SS) each with 50% each. The Linjebuss operation on the Öresund was merged in 1980 with SJ/Svelast to form SFL. In the same year, SFL then merged with the Danish Öresund operations, bringing together routes from Limhamn-Dragör, Malmö-Tuborg and the Malmö-Copenhagen fast ferries. The loss-making Landskrona-Tuborg route was closed. Also in 1980, TT-Line became partners in Saga Linien, shared with Svea and SJ/Svelast. In 1981, Johnson Line AB had a 50% interest in TT-Saga Line, and 50% interest in the Öresund services of SFL. However, Johnson Line AB faced a liquidity crisis soon afterwards, and sold their interests in SFL to SJ/Svelast, thereby withdrawing from the ferry traffic in southern Sweden. At this point their 50% interest in Silja Line was their only remaining ferry interest. Silja Line was becoming an increasingly important part of Johnson Line's turnover, growing from 25% to 50% between 1982-86. When Viking Line partner Rederi Sally AB ran into difficulties, Johnson Line and Effoa formed a joint company Rederi AB Effjohn to acquire the majority of the Sally shares in 1987, buying the rest the following year. They were forced to sell their stake in Viking Line to the remaining partners Slite and SF-Line, but retained the Wasa Line service, Sally UK, and Sally cruise operations in the Baltic with Sally Albatross, and Commodore Cruises in the Caribbean. Johnson Line funnel colours disappeared on Silja Line ships in 1992, when ownership of both Johnson and Effoa ships passed to Oy Silja Line.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Aeolus (1909-54)
Birger Jarl (1) (1909-51)
Birger Jarl (2) (1953-73)
Borgholm (1920-34)
Brynhild (1935-59)
Drottning Sophia (1908-45)
Fortuna (1955-??)
Gudur (1928-??)
Heimdall (1915-57)
Hugin (1924-62)
Konung Oscar (1909-47)
Marina ( Expresslinjen: 1963-1969)
Munin (1931-41)
Nordia (1973-74)
Odin (1909-45)
Örnen (1929-50)
Ragne (1919-63)
Rane (1927-63)
Regin (1921-62)
Ring (1927-62)
Södra Sverige (1909-46)
Svea Jarl (1962-76)
Vineta (1916-18)
Vesterbotten (1912-20, 1934-40)
Vesternorrland (1912-39)
Waria (1938-??)
Wormo (1935-??)
 
Ships on Page 2:-
Fennia (1970-83)
Nordia (1973-74)
Scania (1964-71)
Servus (1969-77)
Silvia Regina (1981-87)
Stella Scarlett (1974-80)
Svea (1) (1966-69)
Svea (2) (1985-94)
Sveaborg (1968-78)
Svea Corona (1) (1975-84)
Svea Corona (2) (1984-85)
Svea Drott (1966-74)
Svea Regina (1972-78)
Svea Scarlett (1971-80)
Svea Star (1974-76)

Associated Pages:-
Rederi AB Svea - Page 2
Birka Line
Bore Line
Finland SS Co
Linjebuss
Öresundsbolaget
Scandinavian Ferry Lines
Silja Line
Skandinavisk Linietrafik
Trave Line
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Fennia  Casino Express

 1966
 Marina  Kronprinsessan Ingrid, Christofer Polhem

 1935
 Scania  Scania Express, Polheim, Nereus

 1963
 Silvia Regina  Stena Britannica (2), Stena Saga

 1981
 Stella Scarlett  Gelting Syd

 1974
 Svea (1)  Saga, Hispania, Saga, Knossos, Captain Zaman II

 1966
 Svea (2)  Silja Karneval, Color Festival, Mega Smeralda

 1985
 Sveaborg  Finnpartner, Peer Gynt, Stena Baltica, Ialyssos

 1966
 Svea Corona (1)  Sundancer, Pegasus, Ionian Express

 1975
 Svea Corona (2)  Wellamo (3), Dana Gloria, King of Scandinavia, Color Viking, Jupiter

 1975
 Svea Drott  Earl Godwin, Moby Baby

 1966
 Svea Regina  Regina, Odysseus Elytis, Scandinavian Sky, Tallink

 1972
 Svea Scarlett  Eckerö, St Ola

 1971
 Svea Star  Freeport, Scandinavian Sun, Balanga Queen, Discovery Sun

 1967
 
 
 
 
 
Svea Fleet List
Part 1: 1871-1962
 
 
Drottning Sophia (1908-45)
 
Drottning Sophia was built in 1875 for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige. She was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1908, retaining her name. Drottning Sophia was sold in 1945 to Det Stavangerska DS and renamed Vestri. Vestri was broken up in 1955 in Norway.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Drottning Sophia.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Aeolus (1909-54)
 
Aeolus was built in 1884 for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige. Aeolus was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1909, retaining her name. She operated from Stockholm to numerous Baltic ports in her career, including Lübeck, Kalmar, Riga and Örnsköldvik. Aeolus was sold in 1954, becoming the Ibra, but was broken up two years later in Ystad.
 
 
Photograph of Aeolus.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Aeolus.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Aeolus.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Aeolus.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Aeolus.
 
 
 
 
 
Birger Jarl (1) (1909-51)
 
Birger Jarl (1) was built in 1893 for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige, sailing between Stockholm and Göteborg until 1914. She was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1909, retaining her name. Birger Jarl (1) was broken up in 1951.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Birger Jarl (1).
 
 
 
 
 
Konung Oscar (1909-47)
 
Konung Oscar was built in 1875 for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige. She was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1909, retaining her name. Konung Oscar was sold in 1947 and renamed San Spyridos.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Konung Oscar.
 
 
 
 
Odin (1909-45)
 
Odin was built as the Norra Finland for Torneå Ångfartygs Ab in 1885, and was acquired by Finska Ångfartygs Ab in 1892, retaining her name. She sailed mainly on the Finnish coast line to St Petersburg, and to Stettin via Tallinn. In 1909 Odin was s was sold to Stockholms Rederi AB Svea, and renamed Odin. In 1945, Odin was sold to Det Stavangerske DS, and renamed Ryfylke. She was scrapped in 1851.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Odin.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Södra Sverige (1909-46)
 
Södra Sverige was built in 1871 for Ångfartygs Södra Sverige. She was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1909, retaining her name. Södra Sverige was sold in 1946 becoming the San Demitro, and then the Latrun. Latrun was broken up in 1949 in Haifa.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Södra Sverige.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Södra Sverige.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vesternorrland (1912-39)
 
Vesternorrland was built in Stockholm in 1867 for Vesternorrlands Ångbåtsbolag, Sundsvall. She passed through three other Swedish owners until purchase by Rederi AB Svea in 1912. She was sold for scrap in Germany in 1939.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Vesternorrland.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Vesterbotten (1912-20, 1934-40)
Borgholm (1920-34)
 
Vesterbotten was built as the Finland for Finland SS Co in 1876. She became Söderhamn in 1898 and Vesterbotten in 1910, and was acquired by Rederi AB Svea under this name in 1912. Between 1920-34, she was renamed Borgholm, thereafter returning to previous name. Withdrawn in 1940, she later carried the name San Basilio, and was not broken up (in England) until 1951.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Vesterbotten.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Vesterbotten.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Borgholm.
 
 
 
 
 
Heimdall (1915-57)
 
Heimdall was built for Rederi AB Svea in 1915, and served with them until 1957 when she was sold to Oy Siljavarustamo and renamed Silja. She was later sold to M.Rauanheimo Oy (Finland) and renamed Coccolita. She was broken up in 1970 in Finland.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Heimdall.
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Heimdall.
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Heimdall.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Heimdall.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Heimdall.
 
 
 
 
 
Vineta (1916-18)
 
Vineta was built in 1913 for Ångfartygs AB Gotland, and sold in 1916 to Rederi AB Svea. She was lost in 1918.
 
 
Art postcard of Vineta in Gotland service
.
 
 
Postcard of Vineta in Gotland service
 
 
 
 
 
Ragne (1919-64)
 
Ragne was built in 1919 for Rederi AB Svea. She was sold in 1964, and broken up three years later in Göteborg.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Ragne.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Ragne.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Ragne.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Regin (1921-62)
 
1373/1431 grt - 71.46/73.0m long - 465 passengers/64 berths - 14 knots
 
Regin was built by Oskarshamns Varv, Oskarshamn for Stockholms Rederi Ab Svea. She entered service in 1921 between Copenhagen-Malmö-Stockholm-Sundsvall-Luleå, moving to Stockholm-Sundsvall-Malmö the following year. Regin operated on various Svea services until she was rebuilt in 1952, returning with a more modern appearance. In 1960 she entered service on the Silja Line route between Norrtälje and Åbo. In 1962, Regin was sold to Rederi Ab Göteborg-Frederikshavn (Sessan Line) and renamed Princessan Regina, used on their Göteborg-Frederikshavn route. She was laid up the following year and broken up in 1967.
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Regin.
 
 
Sepia variation on the Rederi AB Svea postcard of Regin above.
 
 
A further variation on the Rederi AB Svea postcard of Regin above (compare the smoke).
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Regin.
 
 
Photograph of Regin.
Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
 
 
 
 
 
Hugin (1924-62)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Hugin.
 
 
 
 
 
Rane (1927-63)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Rane.
 
 
Photograph of Rane.
 
 
 
 
 
Ring (1927-62)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Ring.
 
 
 
 
 
Munin (1931-41)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Munin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gudur (1928-42)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Gudur.
 
 
 
 
 
Örnen (1929-50)
 
Örnen was built in 1909 for the Bornholm company. Örnen was acquired by Rederi AB Svea in 1929, without a change in name. She was sold in 1950 to Svenska Rederi AB Öresund, again retaining her name. Between 1959-65 she served with Oy Waasa-Umeå AB, before sale to an Italian company. She was scrapped in 1972 after service as Rudiae and Rumba.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Örnen.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Örnen.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Sepia variation on the Rederi AB Svea postcard of Örnen above.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Örnen.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Postcard of Örnen.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Brynhild (1935-59)
 
937grt - 63.88m long (later 68m) - 12 knots - 350 passengers
 
Brynhild was built as the Heimdal for A/S D/S paa Bornholm af 1866 by Burmeister & Wain of Copenhagen. She entered service in 1914 in Bornholm services. In 1935 Heimdal was sold to Rederi AB Svea as the Brynhild for the Stockholm-Mariehamn-Åbo service. In 1944 she was chartered to Ångfartygs Ab Gotland for Nynäshamn-Visby service. In 1946 Brynhild moved to Svea's Stockholm-Helsinki route until 1954, when she transferred to Stockholm-Oskarshamn-Borgholm-Kalmar. In 1959 Brynhild was sold to Rederi Ab Continental Line, Göteborg, for a Falkenberg-Horsens service. The following year she moved to a Gävle-Mariehamn-Åbo route for Sandgren (Gävle), also lasting less than a year.
 
During the summer of 1963, Brynhild was chartered to Skagen Linjen, Göteborg (Stena AB), as the Skagen 1 between Göteborg and Skagen. She was sold to Stena AB the following year for a service from Lysekil to Skagen, but was sold again in 1965, becoming the Regina. She passed through a number of further owners under this name before being broken up in Nakskov in 1970.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Brynhild.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Brynhild.
 
 
Photograph of Brynhild.
Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
 
 
Photograph of Brynhild on charter to Ångfartygs Ab Gotland.
Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
 
 
Postcard of Brynhild.
 
 
Postcard of Brynhild.
 
 
 
 
 
Wormo (1935-40)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Wormo.
 
 
 
 
 
Waria (1938-61)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Waria.
 
 
 
 
 
Birger Jarl (2) (1953-73)
 
Birger Jarl (2) was a steamship built by Finnboda for Stockholms Rederi Ab Svea. She entered service in 1953 between Stockholm-Helsinki. In 1971 Birger Jarl was sold to Oy Jakob Line Ab and renamed Bore Nord for service Skellefteå- Jakobstad. In 1974-75, Bore Nord was chartered to Ångfartygs Ab Bore for services Åbo-Visby and Stockholm-Mariehamn, returning afterwards to Oy Jakob Line Ab. In 1977, Bore Nord was sold to Ångfartygs Ab Bore, but resold soon afterwards. She was rebuilt as a cruise ship, re-entering service on cruises out of Stockholm as the Baltic Star. In 1979 she was cruising between Stockholm-Mariehamn for Ånedin Linjens. In 1982 her steam engines were replaced by diesels, presumably without great success since they were replaced in 1989. In 2002, her name reverted to Birger Jarl.
 
 
Official Stockholms Rederi Ab Svea postcards of Birger Jarl.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silja Line postcard of Birger Jarl.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
Silja Line postcard of Birger Jarl.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
Färjeminnen postcard of Birger Jarl.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg - Photo: © Rickard Sahlsten.
 
 
 
 
 
Fortuna (1955-65)
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Fortuna.
 
 
 
 
 
Svea Jarl (1962-76)
 
4334 grt - 101.4m long - 1020 passengers 339 berths (later 472) - 60 cars (later 20)
 
Svea Jarl was built by Finnboda Varv, Nacka, Sweden, for Rederi Ab Svea. She entered service on Silja Line services in 1962 between Stockholm-Helsinki/Åbo. Svea Jarl was a steam ship with a 6-cylinder uniflow engine, built by A.D.M. Skinner Marine, which gave a speed of 16 knots. In 1976, Svea Jarl was sold to Rederi Ab Slite, part of the Viking Line consortium. She was rebuilt as a small cruise ship, and entered service Stockholm-Mariehamn as the Apollo III in March 1977. The steam engines weere replaced by diesels in 1982. In 1989 Apollo III was sold to Siam Cruise Co of Thailand, and renamed Andaman Princess for cruises out of Bangkok and Singapore.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Svea Jarl.
 
 
Rederi AB Svea postcard of Svea Jarl.
 
 
Silja Line postcard of Svea Jarl.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Tuko postcard E87291 of Svea Jarl in Turku.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Grako postcard 130/215 of Svea Jarl in Stockholm.
Ships are (left-right) Aallotar, Svea Jarl and Bore.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Scankort AB postcard A-100 of Kungsholm (4) in Stockholm.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Postcard of Svea Jarl in Stockholm with Kungsholm (4).
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
Postcard of Svea Jarl in Stockholm.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Marina
(Expresslinjen : 1963-1969)
 
Christofer Polhem was sold in 1963 to Expresslinjen Ab, Stockholm (Stockholm Rederi Ab Svea) and renamed Marina. In 1964 and 1965 she sailed between Gräddö and Mariehamn. From 1966 to 1969 she sailed between Stockholm and Mariehamn. On August 19th 1969, Marina was involved in a collision with the German freighter Lucy Essberger. She was laid up immediately until sold to Losinjska Plovidba OOUR Brodarstvo, Rijeka in November 1969.
 
 
Postcard of Marina.
Scan: www.faktaomfartyg.se
 
 
 
 
 
Rederi AB Svea - Page 2 - Linjebuss - Öresundsbolaget - Scandinavian Ferry Lines
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