Paula Faulbaum
It is late in the evening of 18 October 1941, and pilot Sjöblom sees a light through his binoculars as he scans the area from the pilot lookout tower at Landsort, the southernmost outpost of Stockholm’s archipelago. He suspects that the light is coming from a ship’s lanterns. After another minute, he sees a light out at sea again. Despite the sporadic appearance of the light, he determines to set out in his pilot boat to see whether a ship is in need of assistance.
When Sjöblom arrives at the ship that had aroused his interest, it turns out to be the cargo steamer Paula Faulbaum, which had veered off course due to the bad weather.
The commander says that just earlier in the evening, the ship became stranded on Stångskär and immediately refloated but that part of the ship had taken in water.
In consultation with the commander, Sjöblom decides to approach leeward west of Landsort and anchor close to land, in an attempt to save the ship. At 23.15, they lay anchor west of Landsort. But by then, two-thirds of the bow is already filled with water, which is starting to seep into the boiler room. Because of the rough seas, Sjöblom deems it too risky to bring the ship to land, fearing that it would quickly break apart.
The ship is finally anchored, and the 17-man crew collect their belongings and disembark to the pilot boat. At 02.00, it is determined that the ship is afloat. But three hours later, another check reveals that it has vanished.
About two weeks later, soundings are taken in the area where Paula Faulbaum was anchored, but the wreck is not found. Today, the well-preserved remains of the steamer lie on a steep slope at a depth of about 40 metres down to almost 75 metres. The aft part of the wreck is partly submerged in the bottom sediment.
Facts
Deep
40-75 metres
Build
1908
Length
85 metres
Width
12,2 metres
Shipwreck
1941
Ship type
Lastångfartyg