History of South-Savo and Lake Saimaa
ON THE PIER
Living on the shores of Lake Saimaa

 

LIFE IN THE ARCHIPELAGO

The sprawling archipelago of Pihlajavesi was previously part of Sääminki parish. Over 700 islanders lived in the archipelago until the 1930’s, occupying a total of twenty islands. Agriculture, dairy farming in particular, as well as forestry and fishing were the main sources of livelihood. Farm-owners seined vendace for domestic use, whereas landless people fishing for a living caught zander with a long line. The fish were sold at markets or to passing boats.

Thanks to busy boat traffic many boatmen lived in the archipelago until the Second World War. They worked for a company or privately owned ship in the summers, and were employed in forestry in the winters. The boatmen and their families lived as tenants with several families sharing the same cottage. Extra income was earned by spinning wool, picking berries and mushrooms, taking care of the laundry and doing other jobs for freeholders.

A Savo-type rowing boat was the main form of transport when the water was unfrozen. Folk from Haapavesi and Pihlajavesi established the Saimaa Cooperative in 1905, which began to run two ships in 1906, namely ‘Saimaa I’ and ‘Saimaa II’. In 1910-1915, ‘Särkilahti’ sailed between the archipelago and Savonlinna. In 1928, Sääminki Archipelago Steamship Ltd was founded by freeholders from the archipelago, operating the vessels ‘Kalla’ in 1929-1939 and ‘Saaristo’ in 1939-1975. An ice-strengthened general-purpose vessel was later provided by the state, carrying islanders and cargo free of charge.

 

29.7.2005