The Full-rigger Suomen Joutsen

History

The ship was built in Saint-Nazaire in 1902 and was part of a freighter series supported by the French government. It operated under the name Laënnec, transporting various cargoes such as grain, coal, and nitrates primarily between Europe, North and South America, and Australia. In the early 1920s, the vessel was sold to Germany, from where the Finnish state acquired it as a naval training ship in 1930.

After modifications in Finland, the ship undertook eight long training voyages before World War II. These ocean voyages trained over 650 students and aimed to increase Finland’s recognition worldwide. During the Winter War and Continuation War, the Suomen Joutsen served as a mother ship for submarines and motor torpedo boats, and after the wars, it became a base for minesweepers.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the ship conducted short training and diplomatic voyages in the Baltic Sea. It also served as a mother ship for naval exercises and as a residential and storage vessel. In the early 1960s, the ship was permanently moored in Turku on the Aura River, where it operated as a maritime school from 1960 to 1988. Approximately 3700 students attended the school over the years, and short refresher courses were also held for professional sailors.

The Suomen Joutsen was handed over to the city of Turku in 1991, which committed to its restoration. Currently, maintenance and museum operations are managed by the Forum Marinum Foundation. The ship’s premises can also be utilized for various events and receptions.

The exhibition is open to the public in the summer season. At other times, it is available for group visits by appointment.

Exhibition

The exhibition “The Five Lives of the Full-rigger Suomen Joutsen” tells the history of the full-rigger Suomen Joutsen from 1902 onwards. The exhibition depicts the stages of the vessel, from its construction at a French shipyard to its transformation into a museum ship and its preservation at Forum Marinum’s dock. The ship is the last remaining full-rigger in Finland. Its white hull, riveted steel structures, and impressive rigging leave a lasting impression.

The exhibition narrates the various stages of the ship through objects, photographs, films, and memories. In addition to the structures, the vessel’s usage and operational culture have also evolved. The ship has been inhabited and utilized by different communities: sailors, naval soldiers, aspiring sailors, teachers, and most recently, museum professionals and Forum Marinum visitors.

The main part of the exhibition is located in the main deck exhibition space, with additional sections scattered throughout the ship. The ship is open to the public during the summer months, and guided tours can be arranged for the winter season to visit the exhibition.

Suomen Joutsen is a registered trademark owned by the Forum Marinum Foundation. Any commercial use, including photography, requires permission. For further information, contact sales negotiator Pia Larte at pia.larte@forum-marinum.fi.

In the digital museum you can visit the vessel all year round.