featuring
Traditional Sailing Ships
3-mast schooner "Fulton"
- and small boy in deep wonder
trying to understand the special beauty and magic of a traditional sailing
ship -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
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Introduction
The following photos on this
page are all taken in the port of Middelfart in 1992 during the annual
"race" round island Fyn for traditional sailing ships.
The "race" is known under the
name "Fyn Rundt" - and usually 35 - 40 traditional sailing ships participate
in this colourful cultural event.
A forest of masts
It looks like 1892, but in
fact it is 1992, - in the port of Middelfart.
- photo taken during the race
, - "Fyn Rundt" -, for traditional sailing ships -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
This scenario can be seen every year in the ports of the Danish island Fyn,- when the traditional ships meet for a friendly competition,- a "race" around the island.
The days of commercial trading
on sailing ships are of course long gone.
The ships are scrapped or wrecked,
- and an awful lot of the old Danish schooners are sold to foreign countries.
Too many - - - -
Ships arriving Middelfart in
1992
- 3-mast schooner "Fylla" already
alongside, - and Steel hulled schooner "Freia" approaching -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
However,- a new generation of
ship lovers has now brought attention to the problem, -and they have done
a lot to promote the understanding of the high cultural value connected
to these ships, which were once the lifeblood of the country,- the link
between the islands, and - indeed-, the whole world!
Schooner "Aron" in Middelfart
during the race "Fyn Rundt" 1992
- crew securing sails for the
night -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
.
They offer a lot of their money and time to restore the old ships so that they can again appear on the water in all their former glory,- and as a result-, the number of traditional ships in service seem to be growing.
Why are they doing it?
Well,- I think it's the "Sea
Fever" - - - -
That sounds like a disease,-
but it's more like a built-in instinct for water, sky, wind and ships,-
an instinct very dominating in the Danish people, since they for thousands
of years have been living in their island kingdom surrounded by water everywhere.
I presume, that there are about
3 - 400 old sailing ships in service now,- and in the summertime you can
meet them everywhere between the Danish islands,- where they fit in perfect.
Working aloft
- crew member securing the
rigging, - "Fyn Rundt" 1992 -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
Everything ship-shape , - ready
for the night.
(Photography by Karsten Petersen ©)
This is a tribute to the ships,-
and the beautiful people who sail them and keep the tradition alive!
Photographer at work, - Karsten
Petersen -, July 26th. 2005
Me in my fast and faithful
boat, - "Wobbegong" -, on the way out to meet the old traditional sailing
ships.
Also take note of my favorite
tool, the almost 40 years old, ultimate picture machine, - the Canon F-1!
(Photography by Jesper Petersen)
Click HERE
for "Sea Fever" , a poem that says all there is to say - - -
Back to "The Ships" Main Menu -
In the Main Menu you can see
lots pictures of the traditional sailing ships participating in the annual
"races" round island Fyn, - pictures from different cruises with traditional
schooner "Nordboen", - as well as many picture pages with several traditional
sailing ships, - and more - - -
Page initiated: Dec. 16th.
2002
Page updated: July
3rd. 2003, - Jan. 2. 2006, - Nov. 08.2006, - June 06. 2007, - Dec.11.2008