SS Birger Jarl 1953, SS Bore Nord 1973, SS Baltic Star 1978, MS Baltic Star 1982, MV Birger Jarl 2000
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The delightful Veteran SS Birger Jarl is one
of those very special traditional classic small passenger ships, which was
originally built as a passenger car ferry for the Swedish “Rederi AB
Svea,” with a tonnage of
3,236 GRT (Gross registered Tons). Thankfully today in 2016 this fine
small ship remains with us and she is located in
Here we see two early postcards of the SS
Birger Jarl released by
Please Note:
Photographs on this page are from the author’s private collection, unless
stated otherwise.
Later in 1982, when she was operated by Ånedin Line and she was given new diesel power plant and was comprehensively refitted and rebuilt into a cruise ship, with a new tonnage of 3,564 GRT.
The MV Birger Jarl has been included in
Her first Years of Service 1953 to 1973:
On June 4, 1953 the SS Birger Jarl was given
her official deep Sea trials, which proved to be successful and later that day
she was delivered to her owners, Rederi AB Svea in
Her accommodations were quite sumptuous, featuring rich timber panelling throughout the ship and it had been noted in the media of the day that some of the best Swedish artists had been involved, thus her First Class Lounge was luxurious, and the Second Class Lounge was certainly not far behind!
Here we see a delightful Lounge on board the SS
Birger Jarl
Here we see a richly timbered First Class, twin
bedded cabin
The Birger Jarl offered 57 First Class berths and 216 in Second Class and the latter were relatively small. In addition there was also room for 600-day deck passengers, who had access to a lounge and other facilities of their own.
Another mention was the remarkable work and
attention done to all safety equipment on the ship considering she was also a
Class C1 Ice Breaker for during winter she would have to continue sailing and
be an icebreaker! But, besides having the finest safety equipment on the Bridge
and in the Engine Room, it had been noted that the ships sprinkler system that
in winter was able to be fully maintained with warm water in order to prevent
it from freezing. That is Scandinavian ingenuity!
A wonderful full colour photograph of the Birger Jarl during her early years
Rederi AB Svea and the Svea Group of Companies owned around 53 ships most of which being small vessels. However, it had become obvious new and much larger ships were required as well as ships with roll on and roll off facilities for cars and trucks, etc. Thus the Svea group consisted of the Silja Line, Finska and Bore Lines.
On October 22, 1971 the Birger Jarl was placed
on a new and a popular service sailing from
A New Phase - 1973 to 1977:
The Svea Group finally decided to sell the delightful Birger Jarl after she had been in service for a good 20 years. In April 1973 she was sold to a Bore Line subsidiary; Jacob Lines.
On April 25, 1973 she was officially renamed
to “Bore Nord’ as well as being registered in Jacobstad,
thus flying the Finnish flag. Jacob Lines decided to send her to the Finnboda Shipyard at
Jacob Lines SS Bore Nord, note the aft drive
on, drive off ramp folded up at her side
Between May 18, 1973 and December 8, 1973 she
operated on the most northerly ferry service across the
For the summers of 1974 and 1975 she was
chartered to the parent company Bore Line and she was used as a cruise ship
October 1977 Changes:
This one month saw a several changes to this
fine 24-year old girl! For Jacob Lines did a deal with their parent Company
Bore Line on October 6, 1977 and exchanged the Bore Nord as a part payment for
a new and larger ship. However, as Bore Line had no use for the ship they sold
her on October 31, 1977 to Minicarriers Ab,
A wonderful New Life - SS Baltic Star - 1978 to 1982:
On October 19, 1978 the ex Bore Nord was sold
to “Caribbean Shipping Co Inc,
The SS Baltic Star seen in her first year of
operation revealing the new lounge on her after deck
Photograph by & © Tommy Gjerling
She was renamed the Baltic Star and was
chartered to Ånedin Line, being a Swedish version of the popular Bristish TV drama of the time, the “Onedin Line.” And as of May 1979 the Baltic Star
operated the popular 24-hour summer cruises from
The Baltic Star now seen with her new blue
cloud funnel markings
Photographer is unknown – Please see photo notes at the bottom of this page
On April 10, 1979 the SS Baltic Star operated
a 7 day return voyage from
Further changes to the MV Baltic Star - 1982 to 1989:
By 1982, the Baltic Star was one of the very last steam driven passenger ships in the Baltic, however, it had come to a point that her 29-year-old boilers had been playing up and had been causing troubles, thus it was decided to convert her to diesel propulsion. Thus in February of 1982 she was sent to Frederikshavn where they installed a MAN B&W - Burmeister & Wain Alpha 16-cylinder Diesel Engine SE 2,900 HP. When ready, she was returned to service on April 13.
MV Baltic Star having just received her new
B&W engines
Photographed by & © Mike Taplin
However, her new engines proved to be far from being powerful or all she was able to manage was a reduced speed of mere 12¼ knots. However, but at that time her owners decided, considering she was only being used for short cruises being less than 100 miles, it would be satisfactory for the time being. Interestingly her original funnel was now just a dummy, for located slightly further aft there was a new slender short pipe exhaust mast. This new addition made very little change to the ships classic appearance for it was quite discreet.
Here is another photo of the Baltic Star after she returned to service in 1984
Photograph by & © K Brzoza
The MV Baltic Star continued her short return
voyages, although on July 26, 1985 she operated a special seven-day cruise to
Another Transformation for the MV Baltic Star - 1989 to 2002:
However, it had become obvious that this fine classic, but solid and obviously a very popular ship needed a more powerful engine as well as some modernisation and that is just what was going to happen!
Thus in March 1989 she once again headed for the Frederikshavn shipyard where she was again given a new engine. This time she was given a MAN B&W - Burmeister & Wain Diesel Engine SE 3,600 HP and this more powerful unit would see the ship sail at a better service speed of 15.5 knots and capable of better. Whilst at the yard she received further changes, turning her into a superior cruise ship. Her original foremast was removed and this was replaced by a modern streamlined Signal Mast atop of the Bridge. Her lower superstructure was extended far forward, which not only provided additional cabins, but also a huge deck space above. In addition it was not much later that the blue and cloudy funnel received a dramatic change and it was given a far more elegant livery of stripes and the initials of the ships official owners “CSC” - “Caribbean Shipping Company,” although she remained under charter and managed by Ånedin Line.
Externally the Baltic Star was far more modern looking with her new stretched areas and new mast, etc
She continued her services and became known as the “Happy Ship” and these words were pained on the sides of the ship, as can be seen above. Although in the late 1980s the Ånedin Line was aquired by Sally Line, but after Sally’s demise, Ånedin Line was taken over by Effjohn International, being the parent company of Silja Lime.
Although she did continue her short
A fine shot of the MV Birger Jarl’s bow whilst docked
Photographer is unknown – Please see photo notes at the bottom of this page
She was given a further refit making her ready for further cruise duties, with new and updated cabins and other improvements to the grand old ship of almost half a century!
A beautifully decorated
Lounge
Main Deck Lobby with
information racks and stairwell
One of the ships amazing
stairwells
A narrow deck space
The ships original Telegraph
MV Birger Jarl seen in Port
Another view of the cruise ship, MV Birger jarl
Although I am unsure of he
operations and cruise schedules, but would assume that she would have returned
to what she was so popular for and would have operated the short 24 hour
cruises as well as the week long cruises to
Seen in 2004, is a rather good looking 51 year MV Birger Jarl as she returns to port
However, in October 2005 she was officially
registered to Birger Jarl AB, in
From July 27, 2007 she was based at the
The MV Birger Jarl is seen here during her summer season of cruises of 2012
On December 14, 2012 the company applied for some reorganisation and the Birger jarl was temporarily laid up. However, on February 11, 2013 the MV Birger Jarl commenced to operate a cruise fortnightly, due to the lack of popularity, this continued to June of that year!
Sadly on June 6, 2013 the the
MB Birger Jarl operated her very last ever 24-hour cruise between
A sad view of the MV Birger Jarl’s having returned from her final cruise to Mariehamn
Photographer is
unknown - Please see photo notes at the bottom of this page
MV Birger Jarl – Restaurant/Hostel - 2013 to 2016:
Birger Jarl is seen here in
The Entrance to the Birger
Jarl
Here we see one of the
Lounge Bars that has been updated
An outside two berth cabin
with private facilities
A more economical style of
accommodation for younger people who do not mind sharing, a four berth cabin
with share facilities
A typical shipboard bathroom
Birger Jarl's Bow seen mid 2016
Update Late 2016:
The soon to be 64-year-old Classic Passenger ship that has proven to be a most reliable ship, which some of the most elegant facilities has been placed on the market. Although, it would take a considerable amount to bring her up to SOLAS requirements and to see her sail as a passenger ship again, but this wonderful old lady could also have another life if someone who has grand ideas could use this fine classic Dame, that already offers some of the finest classic features that many tourists are seeking! Thus, why not look at this amazing small ship as an investment.
The beautiful MS Birger
Jarl awaiting her future in
The MV Birger Jarl is located in
The spotless and superbly maintained MS Birger Jarl is seen at night
*****************************
Specifications of the SS Birger Jarl as built 1953:
Type:……………………………………….Passenger & Car Ferry.
For:………………………………………….Rederi-AB-Svea
Builder:……………………………………Finnboda varv,
Yard Number:………………………….351.
IMO:………………………………………..5044893.
MMSI:………………………………………265878000.
Call Sign:………………………………..SIAU.
Launched:……………………………….January 15, 1953.
In service:……………………………….June 9, 1953.
Tonnage:…………………………………3,236 GRT - 850 DWT.
Length:……………………………………304ft - 92.66m.
Beam:……………………………………..46.10ft
- 14.28m.
Draught:..............................16.8ft – 5.1m.
Ice class:………………………………..1C.
Power:…………………………………….Quadruple steam engine with exhaust steam turbo compressor, 3,300 hk.
Propulsion:…………………………….1 propeller.
Speed:……………………………………15 knots (27.78 km/h; 17.26 mph).
Capacity:………………………………..57 First Class, 216 Second Class plus 600 Day passengers.
Cars:………………………………………30.
Specifications after rebuilding in 1989:
Type:……………………………………….Cruise Ship / Hotel / Hostel
Tonnage:…………………………………3,564 GRT - 864 DWT.
New installed power:………………MAN–B&W 4SA diesel engine, 2,795 kW.
Speed:…………………………………….15.5 knots (28.71 km/h; 17.84 mph).
Passengers:…………………………….369 passengers One Class with 369 passenger berths.
Status:…………………………………….In
service as a hotel but for Sale.
SS Birger Jarl - Rederi-AB-Svea - 1953 to 1973:
SS Bore Nord - Jacob Lines - 1973 to 1977:
SS Baltic Star - Ånedin Line - 1978 to 1982:
MV Baltic Star - Ånedin Line - 1982 to 1989 new diesel engine:
MV Baltic Star - Ånedin Line - 1989 to 2002 rebuilding & more powerful Engines:
MV Birger Jarl - Cruise Ship - 2002 to 2016:
MV Birger Jarl -
Restaurant & Hostel Ånedin - 2016:
We will Never Forget this
Wonderful Classic Ship!
The amazingly beautiful Classic ship, the MV Birger Jarl has been around for a good 64 years. I sailed on a
ship that was 20 years older at the time and she continued to sail on for quite some time yet. Today she is about to become
a
major luxury tropical resort in
“Blue
Water Liners sailing to the distant shores.
I watched them come, I watched them go and I watched
them die.”