Beckholmen
Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing
Beckholmen ( the unlucky island) is an island in central Stockholm, 30 meters south of Djurgården, separated by the Beckholmssundet and connected to the 50 -meter-long Beckhomsbron ( bridge).
Early history
In 1631 Albert Schmidt was allowed for the production of pitch on this island. At that time the island was in the Stockholm harbor entrance still without land connection and was Biskopsholmen ( Bishop Island). The location of a pitch or Holzteerherstellung was well suited for security purposes, to work with this material was highly flammable. Soon the island was given the name Bäck or Tjärholmen. The pitch production ranged far into the 19th century.
On March 27, 1647 gave Queen Christina Beckholmen together with the unlucky industry of the city of Stockholm. Pitch and tar were important components in sealing and impregnation of wooden hulls. The shipyard Djurgårdsvarvet was right across the street. 1723 burned down all the buildings, sparking a large blaze on Södermalm ( about two miles as the crow flies) was to blame. In fact everything was rebuilt.
Modern History
The demand for ship docks middle of the 19th century resulted in two dry docks were created. 1904 a dock was 102 feet long, the other 99 meters. It was designed by the railway and canal builder Nils Ericson, brother of the inventor John Ericsson.
From 1918 to 1969, the Swedish Navy was on Beckholmen. Another dry dock " Gustav V " 1920 was blasted into the rock, with a length of 200 meters and is named after the Swedish King Gustav V. 1961, the Vasa here was freed after her elevation from grossest mud. Until 1984, inter alia, icebreakers were maintained by the Finnboda Varv, then took over Beckholmensdockförening operation.
The area is a unique maritime industry landscape and part of the National City Park Ekoparken. On Beckholmen there are buildings and docks of great cultural and historical value industry. Today ( 2007) there are far-reaching plans to redevelop both Djurgårdsvarvet and Beckholmen and upgrade, as well as to create a Marine Cultural Center.
Gallery
Gustav V dry dock