M/S St Erik

Captain Elfver Elfversson saw the potential in implementing fast routes to Marstrand; the town did not yet have an exclusive reputation as a bathing resort, but this would soon change. As a result of streamlining the traffic to Marstrand, the number of passengers increased steadily, and in 1880 it was time to put a third boat on the route.

This third boat became the M/S St Erik, which was named after the popular St Erik Park in Marstrand. She was completed in 1881 at a cost of SEK 103,000 (equivalent to a value of SEK 5,350,778 in 2009), which was an enormous sum at that time.

Over the years she has been refurbished several times and does not look quite as she did in 1881. The old first-class section, with the ladies’ and gentlemen’s saloons, no longer exists. In the gentlemen’s saloon, the men could enjoy a drink and a cigar, while ladies could engage in discreet conversation in the ladies’ saloon. Third-class passengers were restricted to steerage.

After taking part in several traffic experiments, such as acting as a car ferry in Småland or as a floating restaurant at Strandvägen in Stockholm, not to mention passing through the hands of many different owners, she is currently owned by Strömma Tourism & Shipping. On board you can now enjoy delicious food and a beautiful view of he archipelago.

Anecdotes from MS St Erik

Visiting Arabic eminence

On the 24th August 1972, the vessel was out on a long day trip with Saudi Arabian princes and princesses who were visiting Sweden. Deep in the northern archipelago in Stockholm the weather rapidly worsened to gales and torrential rain. The ship careened through the hard seas and one of the princes went up to the bridge to ask information regarding the direction of Mecca, and to demand that they dock as soon as possible. Limousines were called from the embassy, which collected the guests at the pier in Gräddö to drive them all to safety.

St Erik rescues Brigitte Bardot

Also in 1972, the St Erik functioned as a dressing room and restaurant during filming at Torsbyfjärden outside Vaxholm. During the last day of filming, the movie star suffered a colic attack and the St Erik had to expedite her return journey to Strandvägskajen where doctors were waiting.