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   LIFE ON SAIMAA’S TAR STEAMERS The crew on a tar steamer consisted of: a first mate, who took turns on the helm with the skipper; a couple of deck hands; and a chief mechanic responsible for the engine room, assisted by a stoker. The galley was the matron’s territory. The skipper and mechanic had professional qualifications, whereas the rest of crew were hard-working men from local villages hired by the skipper. These were keen to come aboard as wages were fairly good and the work offered variety. Most members of the crew were landless or free holding men from the countryside. Winters would be spent in forest work with skippers as measurers or bosses. Mechanics found employment at engineering works. Tar steamers were operated day and night; only poor weather conditions brought the boats to a halt. The crew worked two six-hour shifts, leisure time spent resting, eating, playing cards, having a sing-along and playing the accordion. Potatoes and sauce, soup, porridge and raisin pudding provided necessary fortification for the heavy toil. The men consumed several cups of coffee and the occasional swig of moonshine. Races between tar steamers were common, and there was a great deal of mouth bantering between bargemen. Accidents happened occasionally: someone could drop overboard, the boat strike the ground, the screw drop, or the entire vessel could sink.

29.7.2005