stated Anders Österman (Oxhalsö), as an owner according to register from that time: "The skipper

A.Ö born July 1, 1848 on Blidö, actual owner of Klara 11.39 t, Helmi 16.35 t and India 12 tons".

 

1892

a neighbor, Calle Sjöblom (Oxhalsö) buys Helmi. Since 1891 he was a joint owner with 50 percent.

 

1895

Helmi takes second prize in the "races with Roslagen Big Boats" June 30 at Baggensfjärden. She

is one of four participating boats. She also takes fourth place July 28 at the third race this year.

 

1897

Helmi takes first prize in the contest with "Roslagen Big Boats" on 14 July.

 

1906

Helmi is listed as "rebuilt" at a new ship measurement (undertaken by reason of the changes). She

was probably converted from clinker to cravell this year, a vault in the stern, a new rudder with drill

and steering wheel. Also the old under-deck cabin has been replaced with a higher cabin of the

same type as the larger Wood Carriers.

 

1907

Helmi is fifth in the "races for Big Boats", as this year is organized by the Stockholm Yacht Club

at Saxarfjärden. 15 boats started, 13 completed.

 

1912

Helmi participate in "showcase races" during the Olympic sailing competition. 15 Big Boats is taking part in these races at Kanholmsfjärden, Helmi ranks in fifth place.

 

1922

Einar Sjöblom becomes half owner of Helmi, as this year is motorized and the mast is removed. She

is likely equipped with an 8 hp engine from Avance at J.V Smith's automobile factory Augustendal,

Nacka.

 

1936

the keel is changed to become more shallow.

 

1946

Nils Lagergren (photographer at the Museum of History), buys Helmi and change her into a sailing

houseboat, declared to bring 60 square meter sail. Name changed to "Ellinor".

 

1959

The County Library in Stockholm hires Helmi/Ellinor spring and fall and uses her as a floating library in the Archipelago of Stockholm. This goes on for six years until the next change of ownership.

 

1966

a person from Sundsvall buys the ship.

 

1967

Arne Kring from Hudiksvall becomes the owner of the vessel.

 

1984

Gustaf Nilsson and Maria Bäckström buys Helmi/Ellinor and she is brought back by sea to

Stockholm where she mostly serves as a houseboat in the City Center.

 

1986

Anders Justrell buys Helmi September 6. Together with his father Kjell she is moved to the island of Björkö in the northern part of the Archipelago, where she is dried and prepared for renovation.

Lagergren superstructure is demolished and the old hull exposed. She is now in very poor condition

and Justrell is applying several times for financial help from the Swedish Maritime Museum - but is denied each time. Name change to Helmi.

1997

Pär Stolpe from the Maritime Museum finally contact Anders and Kjell Justrell with a request if

Helmi can participate in the exhibition project "People and Boats in the Nordic Counties", an exhibit on display during the Cultural Capital year 1998 in Stockholm. Anders first donates the ship to his

father, Kjell then provide the boat as a gift to the Museum and he is engaged for a total renovation

of the ship. The intention is to restore the vessel back to her former glory - as she can be assumed to have been like in 1906. Another Sand Carrier, Gunhild of Ljusterö - one of the last ships of this type ever built (during the first decade in 1900s) becomes model. She was similar to Helmi regarding

measurement. Drawings by Lars G Lennmor (Shipbuilder) was used because no pictures or other documentation of Helmi have been found from this period.

 

1998

Helmi is transported by trailer from Björkö - where the initial renovation started during six months - to

Djurgården in Stockholm. She is placed outside the Maritime Museum in a specially constructed

boathouse with open sides. The idea was to make it possible for the audience to follow

Kjell Justrell´s work on the boat to the smallest detail. The costs for this major task is financed by the Museum's Friendship Association. Helmi is registered at the District Court with the Maritime Museum (now the National Maritime Museum´s) as the owner.

 

1999

The Association - Friends of Helmi is formed. An agreement is concluded with the Maritime Museum to take over as a new owner and complete the renovation and future management of the ship as a Sailing Museum. The first board consisting: Nils Rasmusson, Per Ottosson, Markus

Markusson, Hartmut Kaulbach, Gosta Roxell, Erik "Kulan" Wennberg and Ulf Edlund.

Helmi is transported on a trailer January 15 from the Maritime Museum to Stämmarsund on Blidö

and forwarded to the new association - Friends of Helmi.

 

2002

May 17 Helmi is drawn on oiled logs from the shed at Stämmarsund in position for the big day. The launching is scheduled for May 19. Approximately 3,000 spectators is present when she was

launched and the first test drive with here new engine is a success. On June 1 she is equipped

with a new mast - for the first time in 80 years she is sailing again. A different era begins with her new guardian "The Association - Friends of Helmi". The last Sand Carrier is completely restored and sailing again! 

 

Helmi receive cultural prize in 2002 by the Folklore Association. 

2005

The Sand Carrier Helmi was listed as a Heritage Ship may 28, during a ceremony at the Wasa Museum

in Stockholm. At the same time The Associoation - Friends of Helmi finally becomes the new owner.

 

2010
the old mast is replaced with a new one after a mast damage outside Blidö.
 
2011
both jib and main sail is replaced by new ocean-class sails.

 

Sandkilen Helmi 125 years (1886 - 2011).

 

 

 

Sandkilen Helmi is a Member Ship of the  Swedish Sailing Ship Association. 

 

 

Stockholm Nov 19, 2003

Anders Djerv and Pär Stolpe