![Swiks Ship Wreck in Sweden
Name: Swiks
Operator: Indrik S. Puhlin
Port of registry: Latvia Riga
Builder: K. Karkle
Launched: 1902...
The Swiks (or Swix) was an three-masted schooner from Åland that sank in the Baltic Sea, off the island of Öland, Sweden, on 21 December 1926...
Swiks was built in Upesgriva (between Ventspils and Riga; see Mērsrags), Latvia in 1902, by K. Karkle for Indrik S. Puhlin from Riga...
Puhlins nickname was "Svikis" ("super durable"); hence probably the ship's name...
Puhlin operated the ship until 1912, when it was taken over by a partnership with J.E. Johansson as the principal owner and after 1916 with J.M. Andersson; she was based in Vårdö in Åland. She was then sold to Arthur Lundqvist in 1924...
It was made from pine and oak fastened with galvanized iron bolts,[citation needed] and measured 34.4 m (112 ft 10 in) in length with a beam of 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in). She had a net tonnage of 227 tons and the payload of 135 virke...
The ship, with a crew of seven, was sailing from Flensburg, Germany to her homeport, Mariehamn, with only ballast on board. A snowstorm forced the ship to try to round north of Öland, to seek shelter in Kalmar, but the rounding attempt failed and the ship got stuck in the sand dunes below the water (Änggärdsudden) near the beach of Trollskogen.The crew abandoned ship and got to land in a lifeboat, walking through the forest of Trollskogen before reaching Grankullavik, where they were cared for a week. One crew member had gotten blood poisoning from a rusty nail and was cared for in hospital...
The wreck of the Swiks lay off the beach until a winter storm in the 1950s threw her up on the beach, where she broke in two. Some farmers from Böda bought it hoping to be able to salvage the wood and iron, but this proved too costly. In 1977 one of the sides was still intact...](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6125751/73248e14-a2d4-4444-b3ec-b2d557075031.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Serenity and calmness take over as you drive to this island. Join other visitors who choose this unique destination as a holiday spot every year.
The bridge to Öland is almost 4 miles (6 kilometres) long, providing time to prepare for the beauty awaiting you on this Swedish island. Accommodation are plentiful, with activity-filled campsites and cosy cottages. Look for the Swedish royal family’s summer residence Solliden Slott, near the island’s biggest town, Borgholm.
Tour the country-style palace when the royals are not in town and enjoy the residence’s lovely gardens at any time. While in Borgholm, explore Borgholms Slott, an imposing 17th-century ruin with a café by the castle’s walls and numerous children’s activities in season. Visit an even older ruin, Ismantorps Borg, where only the rubble of foundation walls is visible.
Öland is noted for its natural beauty and unique biodiversity, which makes hiking popular all across the 520-square-mile (1,300-square-kilometre) island. Visit the Stora Alvaret, a limestone plateau whose unique vegetation has helped earn its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ölands Animal and Amusement Park offers activities including a pirate-themed water park, as well as numerous endangered animal species.
It’s possible to walk or cycle all over Öland along its many Hälsans Stig “path to health” trails. Some are short, like Eketorps Trail that’s less than 1 mile (2 kilometres). The Öland Trail covers most of the island. Travel between fortresses or climb up the Långe Jan Lighthouse for an incredible vista. Don’t be surprised if you see a two-hump camel watching you on one of the walks it’s not a mirage.
Öland has many beaches with white sand. Sea breezes make the area perfect for kite surfers and explain why the island is dotted with windmills. Bring your fishing rod and catch a tasty trout during the season.
Enjoy Öland for its serenity and beauty. In no time you’ll understand why many Swedes regard this as their favourite holiday spot.
