Finland Steamship Co
Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA - EFFOA)
Suommen Höyrylaiva Oy
 
Page 2 - Postwar Years
 
 
This is the second of a series of pages devoted to passenger ships of the Finland Steamship Co (Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA)), later part of the Silja Line consortium. This page covers the years from 1945. The years 1884-1945 are shown on Page 1. 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.
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Aallotar (2) - 1952-1971
Aallotar (3) - 1972-1978
Finlandia (1) - 1967-1976
Finlandia (2) - 1981-1990
Finnjet - 1986-1993
Floria - 1970-1975
Ilmatar (3) - 1964-1980
Regina - 1978
Skandia - 1973-74
Skandia - 1980-83
Wellamo (3) - 1975-1981
Wellamo (4) - 1986-1993
 
Ships on Page 1:-
Aallotar (1) (1937-45)
Åbo (1893-97)
Arcturus (1) (1899-1957)
Ariadne (1914-69)
Astraea (1) (1891-1930)
Bore II (1915-16)
Hebe (1) (1919-26)
Ilmatar (2) (1929-45)
Norra Finland (1892-1909)
Oberon (2) (1925-30)
Oihonna (1) (1898-1960)
Polaris (1) (1899-1915)
Polaris (2) (1933-45)
Prinsessan Margareta (1909-12)
Suomi (1937-44)
Titania (2) (1908-16)
Torneå (1892-1928)
Uleåborg (1892-1914)
Urania (1) (1891-1913)
Urania (2) (1913-15)
Viola (1920-40)
Von Döbeln (1892-1941)
Wasa (1892-99)
Wellamo (1) (1898-1916)
Wellamo (2) (1927-67)
 
Associated Pages:-
Finland SS Co - Page 1 - Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA) from 1884-1945
Bore Line
Finnlines
Silja Line
Viking Lines
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories

Name

Other names

 Built
 Finnjet  

 1977
 Finlandia (1)  Finnstar, Pearl of Scandinavia, Ocean Pearl, Costa Playa etc

 1967
 Finlandia (2)  Queen of Scandinavia

 1981
 Floria  Villa de Agaete, Carmen del Mare

 1970
 Ilmatar  Viking Princess, Palm Beach Princess

 1964
 Regina  Svea Regina, Odysseus Elytis, Scandinavian Sky, Tallink

 1972
 Silvia Regina  Stena Britannica (2), Stena Saga

 1981
 Wellamo (3)  Dana Gloria, Svea Corona (2), King of Scandinavia, Color Viking, Jupiter

 1975
 Wellamo (4)  Silja Festival

 1986
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finland SS Fleet List - Page 2
 
 
 
Aallotar
(1952-1971)
 
Aallotar was built for Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA) by Helsingørs Skipsværft og Maskinbyggeri A/S in 1952. She worked on routes Helsinki-Stockholm, Åbo-Stockholm and Mariehamn-Stockholm. In 1964 Aallotar was rebuilt by Wärtsilä Sandviken, Helsinki. From 1969-70 she served between Helsinki-Travemünde. In 1971 Aallotar was sold to Ångfartygs Ab Bore and later renamed Bore II. She initially operated between Jakobstad-Skellefteå for Jakob Lines, followed by Helsinki-Leningrad in 1972 and Åbo-Visby in 1973.
 
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
FÅA postcard of Aallotar.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
 
 
Ilmatar
(Finland SS Co: 1964-80)
 
Ilmatar was the first motor passenger ship for the Finland Steamship Co. She was delivered from Wärtsila of Helsinki in 1964, and operated on routes from Stockholm to Turku or Helsinki. Ilmatar was initially powered by a single 4500bhp Sulzer engine, giving a leisurely speed of 16.5 knots. She was 5171grt, and 108m long. In 1973, Ilmatar was rebuilt in Hamburg, increasing in size to 7355grt and 128m long. Two additional Nohab wing diesels were added, increasing speed to 19 knots. She was then used on the Helsinki-Trävemünde route, including a charter to Finnlines in 1975. She was later used on cruises in the Baltic, Mediterranean and along the Norwegian coast.
 
In 1979 Ilmatar was refitted as a Mediterranean cruise ship by her builders Wärtsila. In 1980, she was sold to Vesteraalens Steamship Co of Norway and continued cruising under the Norwegian Cruises banner without change of name. She later received Vesteraalens funnel colours. She was reportedly renamed Viking Prince in 1982, but was laid up in Toulon and offered for sail. In 1984 she was bought by Crown Cruise Line, renamed Viking Princess and operated out of Palm Beach, Florida on cruises to the Bahamas. From 1997, she was renamed Palm Beach Princess, operating on the same route for Palm Beach Cruises.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as built.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as built.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as built.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as built.
 
 
Finland SS became part of the Silja Line consortium, and Ilmatar is shown here with their hull logo.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar with Silja Line logo.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
Färjeminnen postcard of Ilmatar with larger Silja Line logo.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
In 1973, Ilmatar was rebuilt in Hamburg, increasing in size to 7355grt and 128m long. Two additional Nohab wing diesels were added, increasing speed to 19 knots. She was then used on the Helsinki-Trävemünde route. She was later used on cruises in the Baltic, Mediterranean and along the Norwegian coast.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as rebuilt.
She lost the Silja Line logo when moved to cruising.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as rebuilt.
 
Official Finland SS Co postcard of Ilmatar as rebuilt.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finlandia (1)
(Finland SS Co: 1967-75)
 
Finlandia was delivered by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Helsinki in 1967 to Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA), for the route Helsinki-Copenhagen-Travemünde, which was marketed as Finlandia Line. In 1975 she was sold to Finnlines without change in name or route. In 1978 Finlandia was converted to a cruise ferry and renamed Finnstar. She commenced cruising in the Mediterranean, but was laid up in Toulon in 1980. In 1981 she was sold to I.M.Skaugen and converted into a luxury cruise ship by Aarlborg Werft, returning to service in 1982 as the Pearl of Scandinavia of Pearl Cruises. In 1987, Pearl Cruises was sold to Ocean Cruise Lines. Pearl of Scandinavia was rebuilt again in 1988, receiving a new bow and funnel. and renamed Ocean Pearl. In 1990, Ocean Cruise Lines was acquired by Croisieres Paquet. The owners of Paquet also owned Costa, and management passed to Costa in 1994. The name was changed to Pearl. In 1995 Pearl was refurbished and reappeared as the Costa Playa of Costa.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Finlandia Line art postcard of Finlandia.
 
Official Finlandia Line postcard of Finlandia.
 
Schöning & Schmidt postcard Tra719 of Finlandia.
 
Postcard of Finlandia at Travemünde.
 
Postcard of Finlandia at Helsinki.
 
Official Finnlines postcard of Finlandia.
Scan supplied by Mikael Blomberg
 
 
 
 
 
Floria
(Finland SS Co: 1970-75)
 
Floria was built in 1970 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Helsinki for Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA). She served on the Silja Line routes Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm and Åbo-Mariehamn-Norrtälje. In 1975 Floria was sold to Trasmediterranea, and renamed Villa De Agaete. She operated between Santa Cruz de Tenerife-Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In 2002 Villa De Agaete was sold to ISCOMAR as the Carmen Del Mar, for use on the Denia-Palma route.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.


Official Silja Line postcard of Floria.

Official Silja Line postcard of Floria.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg.

Official Silja Line postcard of Floria.
 
 
 
 
 
Aallotar (3) (1972-78)
 
7800grt - 126.8m long - 16000hp=21 knots - 1000 passengers/439berths - 170 cars
 
Aallotar was built by Dubegion-Normandie, Nantes, for Finska Ångfartygs Ab. She entered service for Silja Line in 1972 between Stockholm-Helsinki. Her sistership was the Rederi AB Svea Svea Regina of 1972. In 1977, Aallotar was charterd to Polska Zegluga Baltycka (Polferries) for Helsinki-Gdansk service, followed by sale the following year when she was renamed Rogalin. Rogalin was used on routes Ystad-Swinoujscie, Helsinki-Gdansk, Copenhagen-Swinoujscie and Copenhagen-Travemünde. During the summers of 1987, 1988 and 1991 Rogalin was chartered to Swansea-Cork ferries as the Celtic Pride. Rogalin was laid up in July 2003.
 
 
Official Silja line postcard of Aallotar.
 
Official Silja line postcard of Aallotar.
 
Official Silja line postcard of Aallotar.
 
Official Silja line postcard of Aallotar.
 
Färjeminnen postcard of Aallotar.
Scan: Mikael Blomberg.
 
 
 
 
 
Skandia (1) (1973-74)
 
3593grt - 101.60m long - 6600hp=18 knots 1200 passengers/136 berths
 
Skandia (1) was built by Oy Wärtsilä Sandviken Ab for Oy Siljavarustamo/ Ab Siljarederiet Ab (Silja Line). She entered service in 1961 between Åbo-Mariehamn-Norrtälje. Skandia's sistership was Nordia. In 1972, ownership was transferred to Oy Silja Line AB, followed by further transfer the following year to Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA). The two sisters were withdrawn and laid up in 1973, followed by sale the year after, Skandia (1) passing to Naviera Oriental C.A. Pampatar, Venezuela as the Isla de Cubagua. Registered owners became Consolidada de Ferry CA Caracas in 1980. Isla de Cubagua was sold to Greek owners in 1986, but she sank whilst crossing the Atlantic on her delivery voyage.
 
 
Silja Line postcard of Skandia (1) with later white hull and Silja logo.
I do not have a postcard in FÅA colours.
 
 
 
 
 
Wellamo (3) (1975-1981)
 
12348 grt - 153.12m long - 24000hp=21 knots - 1200 passengers/799 berths - 240 cars
 
Wellamo was built for Finska Ångfartygs Ab, part of the Silja Line consortium, by Dubegion-Normandie, Nantes. She entered service between Stockholm-Helsinki in 1975. Her sisterships were Svea Corona and Bore Star. In 1979 Wellamo was sold to DFDS and renamed Dana Gloria for Esbjerg-Newcastle services. From 1984 Dana Gloria was moved to the Copenhagen-Oslo route. Between March 1984 and May 1985 Dana Gloria was chartered back to Silja line partner Johnsson Line for use between Stockholm-Mariehamn-Åbo, for which she was renamed Svea Corona, a name previously held by one of her sisters. In June 1985, Dana Gloria returned to the Copenhagen-Oslo route with DFDS. In 1988, Dana Gloria was lengthened by 22.3m at Jos L Meyer Werft, Papenburg Ems, re-appearing in service as the King of Scandinavia in February 1989. From June 1990, services also called at Helsingborg. In 1994, King of Scandinavia was sold to Color Line and renamed Color Viking, for service between Bergen-Stavanger-Newcastle. In 1998, the route and ship were transferred to Fjord Line, and was Color Viking was renamed Jupiter.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Silja Line postcard of Wellamo.
 
Official Silja Line postcard of Wellamo.
 
 
 
 
 
Regina (1978)
 
8020grt - 126.9m long - 16000hp=21 knots - 1000 passengers/412 berths - 170 cars
 
Svea Regina was built by Dubegion-Normandie, Nantes, for Rederi Ab Svea. She entered service for Silja Line in 1972 between Stockholm-Helsinki. Her sistership was the Finska Ångfartygs Ab Aallotar of 1972. In 1978, Svea Regina was also sold to Finska Ångfartygs Ab, and renamed Regina. Charters followed to Polska Zegluga, Brittany Ferries and Karageorgis Lines, who renamed her Mediterranean Sun. In 1982 she was sold to Greek owners and renamed Odysseas Elytis. In 1985, Odysseas Elytis was sold a DFDS subsidiary and renamed Scandinavian Sky for cruising out of Florida for SeaEscape. In 1989 she became the Tallink, serving for various owners between Helsinki-Tallinn until 1996. Since then she has carried the names Mama Tanzania, Eltor, Monte Carlo and El Safa.
 
There is a complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Regina in Finland SS Co colours.
 
 
 
 
 
Skandia (2)
(Finland SS Co: 1980-83)
 
Skandia (2) was ordered by Oy Siljavarustamo/Ab Silja Rederiet (Silja Line) in 1969. In 1971 the contracted was taken over by Höyrylaiva Oy Bore/Ångfartygs Ab Bore (Bore Line), and she was completed as Bore I in 1973 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab. She operated on the Silja Line services between Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm and also Helsinki-Stockholm. In 1980 Bore I was sold to Suomen Höyrylaiva Oy/Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FAÅ) and renamed Skandia (2), remaining on the same Silja Line route. In 1983, Skandia (2) was sold to Stena Line, and renamed Stena Baltica, before a rapid sale to the Baltic Shipping Corporation (Leningrad) and renaming as Ilich. She operated a route from Stockholm to Leningrad (later renamed St Petersburg) and also Stockholm-Riga. Ilich was sold in 1996 to a Maltese company, becoming the Anastasia V, and then again to Windward Venture Shipping in 1997 as the Windward Pride, intended for a service between Barbados and Veneuela. In October 1997 she became the Baltic Kristina in service with Estline and then Tallink.
 
There is a complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Silja Line postcard of Skandia (2).
 
 
 
 
 
Finlandia (1981-1990)
 
Finlandia was built in 1981 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab for Finska Ångfartygs Ab. She entered service between Stockholm-Helsinki for Silja Line. Finlandia was sold to DFDS in 1990 for use on their Copenhagen-Helsingborg-Oslo overnight service. In 2001 she switched to the Newcastle-Ijmuiden route, replaced by the Pearl of Scandinavia.
 
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Official Silja Line postcard of Finlandia, with original bow profile.
 
 
Official Silja Line postcard of Finlandia, with original bow profile.
 
 
Oversized official Silja Line postcard of Finlandia and Silvia Regina at Helsinki.
 
 
Oversized official Silja Line postcard of Finlandia at Helsinki.
Note redesigned bow profile on subsequent cards.
 
 
Oversized official Silja Line postcard of Finlandia at Helsinki.
 
 
Image from an oversized official Silja Line fleet postcard, showing Finlandia at Helsinki.
 
 
Postcard of Finlandia at Helsinki.
 
 
Simplon Postcards issue of Finlandia.
 
 
 
 
 
Finnjet (1986-1993)
 
32490grt - 212.96m long - 1686 passengers - 1550 berths - 390 cars
 
Finnjet was built by Wärtsilä in Helsinki in 1977 for Enso Gutzeit, Finnish owner of Finnlines. She was fitted with two Pratt & Whitney FT 4C-1 DLF gas turbines, developing 55200hp, giving a speed of 30.5 knots. At the time of building, she was the largest, longest and fastest car ferry in the world. Finnjet entered service on Finnlines' Helsinki-Travemünde route, replacing two conventional ferries. In 1981, additional 18-cyl Pielstick-Wärtsilä diesels were installed of 23040 kW, which could achieve a speed of 18.5 knots. This allowed Finnjet to make slower off peak journeys to reduce fuel consumption. In 1986 Finnjet was sold to EFFOA (Finska Ångfartygs Ab) subsidiary Oy Finnjet Line. She was marketed as Finnjet Silja Line. In recent years she has added calls at Tallinn, and the German port has changed to Rostock. During the winter 2003/4 she sails just between Helsinki-Tallinn.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
S+S postcard Tra1435 of Finnjet in Silja Line colours.
 
S+S postcard Tra1435 of Finnjet in Silja Line colours.
 
Official Silja Line of Finnjet.
 
Official Silja Line of Finnjet.
 
Official Silja Line of Finnjet.
 
Niklas postcard A105 of Finnjet.
 
 
 
 
 
Wellamo (4) (1986-1993)
 
Wellamo was built by Oy Wärtsilä Ab for the Silja Line services run by Finska Ångfartygs Ab (FÅA), renamed Effoa Oy before Wellamo was delivered. Wellamo entered service in 1986 between Stockholm-Helsinki. In 1991, ownership passed to EffJohn International Oy (Helsinki), a combination of the Finnish Effoa and the Swedish Johnson Line. In 1992 Wellamo was refurbished in Bremerhaven, and returned to service between Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm in a new livery as Silja Festival. Ownership then passed to Silja Line Oy. Silja Festival operated on the Vaasa-Umeå route between March and May 1993, followed by service on the Euroway route between Malmö-Travemünde/Lübeck and Copenhagen-Malmö-Travemünde/Lübeck. This route closed in April 1994, and Silja Festival returned to Vaasa-Umeå and also Vasa-Sundsvall. Winter 1994/95 was spent on a Helsinki-Tallinn service, followed by another return to Vaasa-Umeå during the summer months before a return to Helsinki-Tallinn until 1997, when she transferred to Åbo-Mariehamn-Stockholm. In 2001 Silja Festival received a further rebuild at Finnyards, Rauma.
 
A complete history of this ship is available on this link.
 
 
Oversized official Silja Line postcard of Wellamo.
 
 
 
 
 
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