Alandia

[john sefton]

The Alandia was built in 1939 as M/S Bastø in Moss, Norway. The ship had been in Norwegian service for many years and even been used by the German army for troop transportation in 1944, when she came to the newly established company Rederiaktiebolag Eckerö in 1961. A route for passenger traffic between Grisslehamn (Sweden) and Eckerö (Åland) had been seriously discussed since 1938, but the war intervened and the plans were not resumed until 20 years later.
FIRST OUT WAS ROSPIGGEN
The specially adapted ferry Rospiggen built for the company Trafik AB Grisslehamn–Åland, a forerunner of Rederiaktiebolag Eckerö, departed on its first journey in 1960. However, due to certain construction errors, the ferry was sold to Italy already in 1962.
MANY NEW ROUTES TESTED
During her first year of operation, Alandia ran under the name Alpha and was the first roll-on/rolloff car ferry operating in Åland ferry service. During her first year of operation, the company tested a variety of routes, one of which was Uusikaupunki–
Grisslehamn with the occasional stop in Mariehamn.
Traffic to Öregrund (Sweden) was also tested as were the routes Mariehamn–Stockholm and Mariehamn–Kapellskär. Eventually, the shipping company settled for the present fast connection between Grisslehamn and Berghamn, Eckerö.
WATERLOGGED
On 4 November 1961, Alpha as the ship was still named, met with trouble when trucks too heavily loaded had rolled onboard in Uusikaupunki. The crew had received insufficient information and, upon arriving in Grisslehamn, the ship capsized and
was waterlogged. Luckily, everybody onboard was saved thanks to resolute intervention from the master captain, and members of the crew.
ROUND-TRIP ÅLAND
The capsizing of Alpha, soon to be nicknamed “Round-trip Åland”, was a severe financial setback for the newly established shipping company. Even so, Alandia was still the ship to lay the financial foundation for new investments, and she remained in the possession of the company until 1976.

Aland Philatelic.
Aland SG?

[aukepalmhof]

Built as a ro-ro ferry under yard No 79 by Moss Vaerft & Dokk A/S at Moss Norway for A/S Alpha Moss, Norway.
07 June 1939 launched as the BASTØ II.
Tonnage 484 grt, 157 net, 676 dwt. Dim. 54.82 x 10.10 x 3.50m. (draught), length between pp. 48.9 m.
Powered by a 5 cyl. Sulzer diesel engine, 900 hp., speed 9 knots.
Passenger accommodation for 276 persons and 38 cars or for 6 – 10 trucks.
13 July 1939 completed.

After delivery used in the ferry service between Moss to Horten both in Norway till October 1944.
October requisitioned by the German Navy and used in the service from Rösvik to Bonnasjöen.
June 1945 after the war used in the transport of prisoners of war.
07 June 1945 again in the service from Moss to Horten.
From July 1951 until April 1952 refitted and modernized by the Moss Vaerft & Dokk A/S in Moss.
1957 Used as reserve vessel in the service from Moss to Horten, otherwise laid up.
February 1961 renamed in ALPHA.
25 April 1961 sold to Ab Eckerö, Mariehamn, Aland Islands.
03 June 1961 delivered to new owners.
03 June 1961 till 04 November 1961 was the ALPHA used on different routes between Nystad-Grissleham, Nystad-Mariehamn-Grissleham, Nystad-Öregrund and reserve ferry for the service between Grisslehamn and Eckerö. She was the first ro-ro vessel operating in the Åland Island ferry service.

04 November 1961 when alongside in Grissleham during discharging, the trucks on a slippery deck starting moving to one side and the ALPHA capsized. At that time there were still on board 46 persons and 5 lorries, all people on board were rescued without any injures.

1962 Renamed in ALANDIA.
After she was refloated and repaired used in the service between Grisslehamn and Eckerö or from Stockholm to Mariehamn, Kapellskär to Mariehamn.

Between 1963 until 1976 used in the service between Grisslehamn and Eckerö, the last years only during the summer season, otherwise laid up.
20 September 1976 sold to PLM Atervinning A/B, Ystad, Sweden for breaking up.

Aland Island 2011 0.80 Euro sg?, scott?

Source: http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/basto_II_1939.htm http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz