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

Saimaa becomes inhabited Savo between East and West Town built on islands Expanding town The harbour Strait Kyrönsalmi Tarburning Ironworks Agriculture Life in the archipelago Savo dwelling Villas Sääminki parish Church boats Savo boats Boats for every occasion Tar steamers Constructing a tar steamer Life on tar steamers Winter journeys   FROM SHOVELLED PILES OF ORE TO IRONWORKS Peasants had been smelting lake and bog iron ore hundreds of years before the first lake ore works were founded in Juankoski in 1746. Hauling lake ore was at its peak from the 1860's to 1880's, after which it gradually diminished only to come to a complete halt in the 1910's. Extensive amounts of lake ore were last hauled during the Continuation War in 1942-1944, when Vuoksenniska Ltd. hauled ore in northern Savo. They wanted to obtain manganese, and substantial amounts could be found in limonite. A long-stemmed collecting net was employed for hauling ore from a lake. The ore was then rinsed through a sieve to remove most of the sand and debris. Afterwards, it was tipped onto a crate balanced on an ore raft or water sledge. As the day drew to an end, the raft was pushed ashore, and the ore was shovelled into a heap - a heap of ore was known as a 'rutnikka' in colloquial language. It was possible to haul two tons of ore a day. Later, the ore was transported to an iron furnace or ironworks. During the summer, ships or large boats were used, whereas sleighs would be employed in wintertime. Hauling and tarnsporting ore provided many inhabitants from remoter areas wiht a welcome opportunity for extra earnings. In addition to lakes, peasants also hauled ore from bogs. Their blast furnaces were often situated at the edge of a bog, many of which still retain names deriving from ore hauling a hundred years ago. Examples include Rautamullansuo ('Iron soil bog') or Hölmäsuo ('Ore bog'). Lake and bog iron ore precipitate continuously, making it possible to be hauled every twenty years from the same location. IRONWORKS The first lake ore works was founded in 1746 at Juankoski. After Finland’s incorporation into Russia in 1809, importing ore from Sweden became more difficult. As a result, it became vital to find alternative sources for raw materials, and attention was drawn to substantial resources of lake and bog iron ore. Nearly fifty lake ore works rose in eastern and central Finland. Three ironworks were founded in southern Savo: Haapakoski Works (1842-); Huutokoski Works (1858-1877); and Oravi Works (1868-1901). Additionally, there was a bloomery furnace in Porsaskoski within the rural commune of Pieksämäki (1838-1885). Since the latter half of the 19th century, the lake ore works produced almost 80 per cent of Finland’s iron. Nikolai Putilov, a businessman from St. Petersburg, owned all three of the ironworks in 1860-1870. They produced raw materials for Putilov’s iron and steel foundries in St. Petersburg, which manufactured railway rails, locomotives, carriages and cannons for the Russian Empire. The iron that was smelted in Savo was transported to St. Petersburg in wintertime in lines formed by dozens of sleighs; after the Saimaa Canal was completed boats were used in the summers. The iron works created additional employment opportunities for haulers, charcoal burners and horsemen, and soon became self-sufficient communities with their own schools, shops, churches and graveyards. They offered a livelihood for hundreds of landless people, but also attracted farmers seeking an easier living. Three factors contributed to the end of the heyday of iron works: Russia’s customs policies had become tighter with an interest in protecting its own iron industry; newer and more effective iron manufacturing methods were found; and quarrying rocky ore became easier following the development of drilling machines and explosives. Many iron works found a new opportunity in the wood processing and engine works industries.

29.7.2005