Pilot Ship | S/S Orion, Historic Steamship

Sweden's last steam salvage ship

In the spring of 1928, the lighthouse engineer J.A. Hultman drawings for the new steam service vessel for the Royal Pilotage Board, decided by the Riksdag.

The ship was built in 1929 at Helsingborgs Varfs AB. The ship, which measures 31.44 x 6 meters, has seven cabins, two salons, three fairs, a galley, a shower room and a cargo hold, all in good condition.

The ship was mechanically equipped with a coalfired boiler and seven steam engines, all still in operation. In addition to the main machine of the compound type, there are steam machines for operation of generators, pumps, anchor winches and more. The ship, classified as a steam rescue ship, is the oldest of its kind that remains today in Sweden.

more history

Visitors

On April 12, 2003, S/S Orion was honored with an official visit by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, accompanied by his adjutant and court marshal. During the visit, the King showed great commitment to the restoration project.

His Majesty is currently the largest contributor to the project and the King's generous contribution has been very significant.

James Hetfield

James Hetfield, frontman of the world-famous heavy metal band Metallica, surprised with a visit to S/S Orion.

Tommy Körberg

Legendary artist Tommy Körberg honored S/S Orion with his visit, which was a memorable and extremely enjoyable experience for everyone on board.

Sven-Bertil Taube

visited the S/S Orion and shared captivating stories from his past as a sailor.

Bengt Feldreich

The well-known TV personality Bengt Feldreich visited S/S Orion and contributed with his presence to the ship's rich history of prominent visitors.

Other visitors

On April 16, 2005, we were able to enjoy another official visit when the first speaker of the Riksdag, Björn von Sydow, visited the ship.

On June 5, 2007, the ship was visited by the Minister of Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Department Secretary Erik Wahlström and Business Director Christer Asplund. The Minister of Culture was very positive about the association's efforts to ensure maritime cultural heritage and the commitment to young people.

During the spring of 2009, we were visited by the municipal management for the city of Stockholm. The entire presidium and city council in finance, environment and culture were invited to a viewing. Furthermore, we were also able to enjoy a visit from opposition councilor Carin Jämtin.

The pilot director's wife

Among other visitors who made a big impression, we can mention an elderly woman who visited the ship in the spring of 1995. Suddenly she was standing there, balancing on the gangway. The lady was helped with gentle hands on board. At first you might think it was a generally confused lady who couldn't find her home but the truth would soon be revealed. The soon-to-be 90-year-old lady said that she had sailed on several occasions with the S/S Orion, then in the capacity of the pilot's wife. She spoke with great reverence and enthusiasm about the experience of gliding through the Swedish archipelago with the steamboat's noiseless and vibration-free movement. She went on to say how much she disliked the new ship that would later replace the S/S Orion. A diesel-smelling and shaky experience that over time she completely refrained from sailing with.

The ghost ship

The S/S Orion is haunted off and on by a deceased captain who served on the ship in the late thirties. At night, his steps have been perceived from the bridge. Faint sounds from the machine telegraph have also been heard. It is also rumored that one of the chefs who died on board under unclear circumstances is going again. Sludge from copper pans has been perceived at night and some have told that they smelled a faint food smell.

On April 22, 2022, a visitor on the ship saw that the toilet door in the captain's salon was suddenly opened and then closed, this was also heard by Captain Bosse. He opened the door and the room turned out to be empty.

The Association - S/S Orion

The S/S Orion Friends project was formed in 1992. Through the creation of the association, a broad network of contacts has been built up, which has contributed to making the naval history project and its youth activities possible.

His Majesty is currently the largest contributor to the project and the King's generous contribution has been very significant.

The aim is that the management of the museum ship S/S Orion will in the future be transferred to a foundation in order to secure the steamship's further maintenance and operation. This foundation, whose name is Orion af Stockholm, will then be managed by a board with its registered office in Stockholm. The steamship was K-marked in 2003 by the Swedish Maritime Museums.

Do you want to join the association?

Deposit the membership fee of 100:- Plusgirot: 57 20 27-1 and send information about name, phone number and address to steamshiporion@gmail.com

His Majesty is currently the largest contributor to the project and the King's generous contribution has been very significant.

Youth activities

S/S Orion's Friends conducts non-profit activities with the aim of meeting the needs of socially vulnerable young people for support and personal development. The operations on the K-marked steamship S/S Orion provide an environment where youth and even adults can grow as people; both professionally by learning crafts and socially by providing a safe environment free from racism, bullying, and drugs.