Stories

Söderhjelm (1974/3, 311–312) portrays an event where a newly built ship was launched from the shipyard. Launchings took place annually. Local people would gather on the shores and in boats to watch. It was impressive to first see the huge vessel on dry land. The excitement grew more intense as the vessel gradually shifted towards the water – one could hardly breathe. Soon the ship started to glide faster, moaned and groaned, and finally plunged into the water at high speed so that enormous waves crashed onto the shore. There it was now, proudly swaying, as the audience applauded.