EKSTRAND AXEL

 

Molyhawk, Ekstrand Axel was born in Lemland, Åland, on 3.4.1907 and died in Jomala on 3.9. 1993.

Eskil Ekstrand made his first voyage as a 16-year-old in the galeas LEVI of Järsö, Lemland (his home district).

He then continued in ships in Baltic trade.

He experienced many adventures at sea, undergoing three ship casualties within the space of four years.

Eskil Ekstrand related on the occasion of his 80th birthday that he had been serving in the fourmasted schooner DIONE of Sottunga when she sprang aleak in the Baltic in 1929.He was also in the barquentine LENITA of Mariehamn when she was run into the Kattegat. Further, he was 3rd Mate of the 4-masted barque HOUGOMONT when she lost her rigging during a hurricane off Australia.

Eskil Ekstrand obtained his Master Mariner's certificate in Mariehamn in 1937.

He served in the 4- masted barque HERZOGIN CECILIE in 1933, and rounded Cape Horn eastwards during that year.

He then continued in the ALASTOR, s s EMILY, s s KIRSTA, s s ARGO, and s s AVENIR before entering the Pilotage Service in 1942.

He became a pilot at the Nyhamn pilot station off Mariehamn and attained the rank of senior pilot in 1954.

He retired in 1967.