Branden vid Marieskär

Dramatisk berättelse om ångfartyget S/S Tjust som gick på grund 1918 vid Marieskärshällan, utlöste en brand och skapade spår i naturen i över 50 år.

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När spanska sjukan sänkte S/S Tjust: Natten då kor och människor delade ett skär
Året 1918 var märkt av krig och sjukdom, men för passagerarna på ångfartyget S/S Tjust skulle en sensommarnatt i Oxelösunds skärgård bjuda på en dramatik som satte spår i både minnet och naturen i över ett halvt sekel.
En febrig kurs mot katastrof
Den 8 augusti stävade S/S Tjust fram genom skärgården på sin rutt mellan Stockholm och Västervik. Ombord fanns en blandad last av förnödenheter, sommargäster och levande boskap. Men en osynlig fiende fanns också ombord: spanska sjukan.
Mitt under vakten drabbades rorsmannen av en akut feberattack orsakad av influensan. Han förlorade medvetandet vid rodret, och utan styrning skar det tunga ångfartyget rakt upp på Marieskärshällan. Smällen var våldsam och fartyget fick omedelbart en kraftig slagsida.
Kor, hästar och panikslagna passagerare
Ute i den mörka skärgårdsnatten utspelade sig surrealistiska scener. För att rädda vad som räddas kunde tvingades besättningen evakuera både människor och djur till den lilla, kala klipphällen. Snart stod finklädda passagerare sida vid sida med råmande kor och panikslagna hästar på det trånga skäret, medan de såg sitt fartyg börja brinna.
Elden, som troligen startade i maskinrummet vid grundstötningen, lyste upp natthimlen och gjorde bärgningsarbetet hopplöst i det första skedet.
Naturens svarta sår
Det som gör S/S Tjusts förlisning unik i ett ekologiskt perspektiv är efterspelet. När fartyget brann läckte stora mängder tjockolja och sot ut och smetade ner Marieskärshällans porösa granit. Branden var så het att oljan bokstavligen brände fast i stenen.
Eftersom dåtidens saneringsmetoder var obefintliga, lämnades naturen att läka sig själv. Det tog över 50 år innan de svarta resterna från olyckan helt hade nötts bort av väder och vind. Ända in på 1960-talet vittnade lokala fiskare och båtfolk om hur klippan fortfarande bar spår av den där olycksaliga natten 1918.
Ett minne från en annan tid
Idag är Marieskärshällan återigen en vanlig skärgårdsklippa, men historien om S/S Tjust lever kvar som en påminnelse om hur en pandemi kan sänka ett skepp och hur mänskliga misstag kan lämna ärr i naturen som varar i generationer.

The history of Marieskär

text Lasse Lindberg

Middle Ages – the island gets its name

Fishing, hunting, and shipping have always been crucial for people in the North. Already in the 1200s, ”King Valdemar's sailing route” , our oldest known sailing description, was recorded. For navigation, it was important that we had clear and common names, which often described their location, nature, or characteristics – such as Tobaksholmen, Ålö, or Tressö.

Island names connected to Mary are rare. Besides Marieskär, there is only one more in the area: Marieholme. These places have been used for the worship of the Virgin Mary since the Middle Ages, especially before dangerous sea journeys. Older nautical charts also show the spelling Mariaskär.

The fire of 1918

The steamship S/S Tjust stranded 1918 on Marieskärshällan during the journey to Stockholm. Sparks from the ship ignited the island, and large parts of the vegetation burned down. Some pines survived, and there are stories of how cows swam ashore during the drama. Traces of the fire were visible well into the 1970s in the form of burned stumps.

The first cabin – 1927

The first cabin was built in 1927 by Elna and George Hammarström. George was a pilot and customs officer. The work of clearing the land was extensive.

The daughter Ingegerd recounts:

”It was a hassle to clear out.”

The childhood memories from the island are vivid – the swing by the beach, the encounter with a seal in the moonlight, and summers filled with adventure.

Filip and Agda take over – 1930

In 1930, the master painter Filip Johansson and his wife Agda ”Filippa” Johansson bought Marieskär. At that time, formal permission was lacking, but this was arranged in 1932.

Filip expanded the cabin with the help of family and friends: a kitchen, living room, veranda, and a root cellar were added. On a rock plateau, he created a gathering place with a view of the sunset – called ”the cinema”.

On a door, he painted the text:

Welcome to this cliff
wishes Filip and Filippa

The family lived close to nature. They rowed to Ålö to fetch milk, and fishing provided plenty of food.

Ingvor and Rune – the next generation

In 1953, the daughter Ingvor and her husband Rune Lindberg took over the island. The purchase price was 1,500 kronor – including boat and nets.

Family life on the island was characterized by:

  • fishing (perch, eel, cod, salmon, etc.)
  • bad, snorkeling and play
  • a rich social life with friends and relatives
  • midsummer celebrations and cultural elements

Artists such as Valentin Wirf and Leo Janis Brieditis stayed on the island. Rune participated in revues in Nyköping, and the circle of friends often gathered at Marieskär.

In 1971 was written ”The Marieskär Waltz”, a tribute to the place. The same spirit is evident in the humorous initiative ”The Association for the Preservation of Outdoor Toilets in the Outer Archipelago”, with a solemn inauguration and cocoa liqueur as the ceremonial drink.

A memorable episode is when the narrow boat ”Silverpilen” arrived. One of the passengers, ”Snus-Ernst,” wrote in the guestbook:

”Ho ä rar, I stay. 

Development and change

In the 1960s, a boathouse and pier were built. During the 1980s, the cottage was renovated – a new roof and tile replaced the old tar paper roof.

After Rune's passing in 1981, Ingvor continued to care for and develop the island.

New generations

In 1989, Ingvor transferred Marieskär to his sons Lasse and Andreas.

During the 1990s and 2000s, development continued:

  • new buildings were erected
  • piers and terraces were constructed
  • the families grew

In 2009, Ingvor passed away, having documented the island until the end.

Today – the fourth generation

Since 2019, Marieskär is run by the fourth generation:

  • Ida, John, and Martin (Lasse's children)
  • Hannes and Albin (Andreas's children)

The island continues to thrive as a place for family, history, and tradition – where memories from several generations are still present on every rock, path, and pier.