Lilian is a vintage gentleman’s motor yacht, built in Stockholm in 1916 and finally back there less than a mile from where first built (in Sodra Varvet) and in a heritage harbour (Nya Djurgardsvarvet) -fulfilling the EMH Barcelona Charter principles of operating in home waters, as originally constructed, and doing what she was designed for.
It has been a long journey – last summer travelling from London to Vastervik, and this summer finally to Stockholm, arriving in a memorable week, parading on June 7th to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the heritage designation of the traditional boatbuilding yard as a heritage harbour, and 150 years after the birth of Lilian’s famous naval architect, C G Pettersson, designer of so many of the ubiquitous vintage mahogany ‘Petterson-boats’ all over Sweden. Lilian will be preserved in active use by the Motor Yacht Society.
Djurgården has a long tradition of shipbuilding that began as early as 1712 with Johan Lampa’s shipyard at what is now Gröna Lund. During the 18th century, both warships and East Indiamen were built here, including the royal sloop Vasaorden. The business was developed by Fredrik af Chapman, among others, and was in operation until 1863. Some of the buildings from this time still remain today, such as the old shipyard office that is now used by Gröna Lund.
The fight for preservation and the shipyard’s rescue
After threats of housing development in the 1980s and 1990s, resistance to demolishing the historic shipyard environment grew. Associations, enthusiasts and politicians fought for its preservation. In 2006, a milestone was reached when the Stockholm City Council approved an agreement that secured the future of Djurgårdsvarvet as a historical and cultural center for crafts and shipping. It is now a flourishing centre for boatbuilding and associated crafts, right next to a popular pleasure garden and funfair (and the Vasa and Wreck museums), so very convenient for tourists and visitors- a short historic tram ride from Stockholm Central Station. https://nyadjurgardsvarvet.se/
