S/S Orion
The museum steamship S/S Orion from 1929, Sweden’s last steam salvage vessel, lies at Södra Mälarstrand on Södermalm and can be visited free of charge at weekends.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
S/S Orion was built in 1929 at Helsingborgs Varfs AB as a steam service vessel for the Royal Pilot Service (Kungliga Lotsverket). The drawings were presented in 1928, and the ship was built for traffic on the Göta Canal. During the trial trip the ship heeled heavily over because of insufficient ballast and had to be towed back to the shipyard.
Orion was stationed in the eastern pilotage district, which extended from Karlskrona in the south to Trosa in the north and also included Lake Vättern. She was used as an inspection and work vessel: pilots inspected lightships and pilot stations, laid out and recovered buoys and beacons, gas-lit lighthouses and carried out hydrographic surveys. The ship also helped shipping with towing and icebreaking, and served under the pilot service from 1929 to 1956.
The ship is classified as a steam salvage vessel and is the oldest of its kind still preserved in Sweden. She has seven cabins, two saloons, three messes, a galley and cargo holds, and the boiler and steam engines are, according to the association, still in operation. Orion was K-märkt in 2003 by Statens sjöhistoriska museer (Swedish National Maritime Museums). The association Projekt S/S Orions vänner (Friends of the S/S Orion Project) was formed in 1992 and works on restoration and youth activities.
Highlights
- Sweden’s last steam salvage vessel
- Built in 1929 for the Royal Pilot Service
- Coal-fired steam boiler and seven steam engines in operation
- K-märkt cultural-historic vessel
- Free admission on Saturdays and Sundays
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Föreningen Projekt S/S Orions vänner
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. The association accepts voluntary contributions, and membership fees are voluntary.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Zinkensdamm · 5-min walk
A five-minute walk from the Zinkensdamm metro station.
The ship lies at berth 20 at Södra Mälarstrand 77.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Members and other interested people are welcome on board during opening hours. The association also runs youth activities. |
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