Sailing Through Time: A Historic Voyage on the coast of Helsinki

Our small crew has journeyed from the countryside to the city by land, and now it’s time to set sail from Helsinki’s Halkolaituri pier. Surrounding the pier are numerous magnificent vessels adorned with various masts, plenty of ropes, fine details, and an aura of a bygone era. I’m no seasoned sailor, but standing on the pier, I must admit that my experience with rowboats, console boats, and sailboats might not be quite sufficient as we step onto the deck of a genuine sailing ship!

With curious respect, we get acquainted with Ingrid, a gaff cutter by design, which has journeyed from Denmark to Finland over the years. She is a 90-year-old vessel that served as a fishing boat throughout her working life and has been fully refurbished for passenger use. Where once there was a fish hold, there is now a cozy salon inside the ship, and beneath the deck are adventurous bunk beds for several overnight guests.

Ahoy – we cast off the ropes from the pier and initially head out of the harbor powered by the engine. A few hours of sailing off the coast of Helsinki awaits us, and if we wish, we can participate in raising the sails and other deck work. One of our group has already surpassed himself just by stepping on board, and he’s contentedly happy watching others bustling and enjoying the seascape. It feels great that each of us can contribute to our joint sailing trip in our own way!

Our captain, Atso, who owns the ship, knows Ingrid inside and out. He shares stories about the ship’s history, maritime navigation, and the surrounding scenery. He guides us in manually hoisting the mainsail (quite a workout!) and coiling the ropes. We are provided with binoculars to scout around, peering towards Uunisaari island to the south and even towards Estonia. The deck is comfortably spacious for walking, and there’s something utterly majestic about moving on this wooden vessel, though the atmosphere is as relaxed as in a rowboat. With the weather being pleasant, we all enjoy the fresh air, and the interior salon remains unused for now.

“Who wants to steer first?” Atso asks. What? To steer a sailing ship? From the helm? Absolutely! The ride is calm, the wind is gentle, and there’s plenty of space everywhere. Yet, gripping the helm, a solemn responsibility for the safety of the ship and its crew seeps into my palms. Surely, I won’t steer us onto the rocks? I think of the bygone world where people truly traveled across waters powered by wind, undertaking incredibly long journeys around the globe!

We wave to passing tourist cruisers and find ourselves in numerous vacation photos with Ingrid’s red sails. We’ve all enjoyed our silent progress (the engines were turned off after the sails were raised), and our member accustomed to modern sailing has eagerly explored the predecessors of today’s winches and sheets. I have tasted the thrill of a grand adventure and wish I could sail right away to at least Gotland. However, our destination is the home port in Helsinki, so I calm my adventurous spirit by climbing the mast with permission.

Near Halkolaituri is the Sailship Office, and frankly, I feel like walking right through its door and booking another sailing adventure. We collectively rave about this wonderful experience that provided each of us with a unique maritime adventure. We simultaneously experienced cultural history, progressed by natural forces, saw the maritime side of Helsinki, and learned something new.

Be prepared with:

• Weather-appropriate clothing for deck activities
• Your own snacks or order food service!
• Everything you need for sailing is available on the ship

This post is also available in: German