Writer: Chris MartinPhotographer: Janne Olander
Göran Bengtsson, Jörgen Gabrielson and Leif Pagrotsky discuss details of lifting the mast.
THE COIN FROM 1738 IS NOW IN PLACE UNDER THE MAINMAST.
The mainmast was stepped today. Minister of industry and trade, Leif Pagrotsky, followed the work througout the day and as a symbolic gesture for travel and good fortune, he placed a copper coin from 1738 under the foot of the mast. The coin which was placed under the foot of the mast is from 1738. The original ship Götheborg was built in 1738 at the Terra Nova yard in Stockholm, which is approximately where the Dramaten theatre lays today. The historical East India Company was one of Sweden's most progressive trade enterprises through the ages.
The mast was raised with the assistance of a large crane, which lifted it up, then manoeuvered it over the deck so it could be lowered down to the keel, where it was placed on the step. In olden days it was done a bit differently. One hung the masts from a crane,and moved the ship to the proper position, to then be able to lower the masts into the ship. Participating at the ceremony were a lot of the East Indiaman's sponsors, who took the opportunity to see an actual, exciting moment in the building of the East Indiaman. There was also a large number of journalists and press-photographers, who were there to capture the moment and give the public the opportunity to experience the happening, through the press and TV.The lower section of the mainmast measures 2.2m. in circumferance, weighs 7.5 tonnes and is assembled like a puzzle with 18 pine stems all kept in place with iron bands, a very old technique. The mainmast will measure 47m. when all the parts are fitted.All that remains now is the fitting of the mizzenmast, and the Götheborg will have its masts in place. When these are in place, a crane will not be needed to lift the spars and topmasts. The lifting of these will be done by hand.
It is important that the mainmast is guided properly when being lowered down through the decks, could be disasterous otherwise.
Leif Pagrotsky shows off the coin from 1738 before he placed it under the mainmast.
