EKSTRÖM ENZIO

 

Mollyhawk, Ekström Enzio was born in Jomala, Åland, on 16.2.1920 and died in Mariehamn on 5.10.1990.

He made his first voyage at the age of 17 in the Finnish cargo steamer GUSTAF.

Between 1937 and 1942 he served in the 4-masted barque POMMERN.

He rounded Cape Horn in the POMMERN in 1938 on a homeward voyage from Port Germein, S. Australia.

The voyage took 118 days, and on the 107th day provisions were quite finished on board, in spite of rationing.

A passing tanker was able to supply provisions to enable the voyage to be completed.

Enzio Ekström was also among the last crew of the POMMERN when she arrived in Mariehamn in 1939 to be laid up and subsequently to become a museum ship there.

In the latter part of the 1940s he served in Swedish ships, and he obtained his Master Mariner's certificate in 1950.

He served in various cargo-ships and in 1950 he became Mate of the passenger steamer OIHONNA.

After serving the same post in the s s AALLOTAR and WELLAMO, he was appointed Master of the hydrofoil SIRENA in 1960. The SIRENA operated between Mariehamn and Stockholm, and between Malmö and Copenhagen in the winters. He was subsequently Master of the passenger steamer WELLAMO and also served in vatious cargo ships.

He was given early retirement in 1976 on account of an eye illness.

Enzio Ekström was treasurer of the ÅlandIslands Section of A.I.C.H..

He was awarded the Cape Horner's medal in 1988.