There is a permanent exhibition detailing the ship’s colourful history. Päijänne Risteilyt Hilden Oy constantly collects historical data and photographs of s/s Suomi’s past. Please contact Eija Hildén, tel. +358 10 3208820 or by email: eija.hilden(at)paijanne-risteilythilden.fi
Onboard
Lehtoniemi engineering works built s/s Suomi in Lahti during the winter of 1905-1906. For this purpose an area of lake shoreline known as Varvinranta was rented from Captain Fellman, the owner of Lahti Manor. The location was known subsequently as Moottoriranta. In the background the buildings of Wesijärvi station can be made out. The harbour proper is situated behind them.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildén archive.
s/s Suomi on her first voyage
s/s Suomi leaving Jyväskylä harbour for Lahti in 1911. At that time the harbour was situated at the bottom of Vaasankatu on land now occupied by the city centre bypass. Also visible in the picture is the harbour pavilion, a listed building which now stands in the current harbour.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildén archive.
Jyväskylän satama 1900-luvun alussa, ennen vuotta 1915.
Kuva: Keski-Suomen museon kuva-arkisto.
Steamships Suomi and Lahti presumably in Vesijärvi harbour in the very early 1900s. Suomi is seen flying the Russian flag.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive.
Vanhanselan vesillä
s/s Suomi has just left the Kärkinen jetty for the gleaming waters of Vanhanselkä in the background. The stern of the ship is still open, two short masts. A frequently published postcard picture dating from the 1930s.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive. Postcard print.
On the photograph’s cardboard frame is written in Swedish: Minne från Mikko Fagren [Memento from Mikko Fagren]. Mikko Fagren was the ship’s first captain.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive.
Taken by V.A. Rautell, presumably in1906
The major refit carried out for the summer of 1938 can be seen in this photograph. The restaurant has been moved from the upper deck to the between decks in the stern, which has been enclosed. Only one mast remains.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive.
Taken by Veljekset Karhumäki in the1940/1950s.
In the 1930s Lake Päijänne’s white ships met up on a Sunday afternoon at the old Tehi jetty. Three ships returned to their point of departure, Jyväskylä, Lahti or Jämsä. People thus had an opportunity to make a Sunday outing on Päijänne.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive.
Completion of the Äijälänsalmi bridge in 1930 forced passenger ships operating on Lake Päijänne to shorten their masts.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildén archive. Postcard print.
Lahti – Heinola – Lahti
In the 1980s scheduled services were started between Lahti and Heinola. To this day it remains one of the busiest and most popular routes.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildénin archive. Taken by Timo Noronen.
Vääksy lock
Summers in the 1930s were sunshine from start to finish. s/s Suomi has just arrived from Lahti at the Vääksy lock. Passengers board the ship via the same hatchways as they do today.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildén archive
The captain of s/s Suomi in the 1950/1960s.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive. Taken by Antti Pänkäläinen.
Captain Veikko Latto.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive..
Sailing off Jyväskylä’s Lutakko area in the 1950/1960s.
Photo: Museum of Central Finland photo archive.
Suomen Joutsen’s legendary captain “Körmy”, real name Johnny Konkola, served as captain of s/s Suomi during his retirement years from 1949 to1954. At the end of June 1954 he was struck down by illness in Lahti. The doctor gave him permission, however, to travel back to Jyväskylä on board ship as a passenger. The voyage was to be the last taken by Suomen Joutsen’s ”Old Man”. He died on 28.1.1955 in Jyväskylä.
Photo: Päijänne Risteilyt Hildén archive
