It is time to lift our eyes on the East Indiaman Götheborg future. The ship’s sailing life has far from finished and has great future tasks, functioning as a symbol, community, inspiration, work and income, writes Anders Wästfelt, who found the wreck and initiated the construction of the new ship.

Homecoming by Anna Olofsson (2007)

“In view of the past few days of intense debate in the media with the City Council, on the future of the East Indiaman, we think it is time to lift our eyes a bit above the horizon. In the right hands, the Götheborg, our ship, is a regional and national asset with huge potential.

The ship’s sailing career is far from finished. She has great tasks ahead in her future, functioning as a symbol of our community, an inspiration for continued work and a source of income. She is well built and with proper maintenance, she can sail for another 20-30 years.

When the project to build a new East Indiaman that would sail was started in 1992, it was a private initiative. It was well thought out and gained the support of international shipbuilding experts, the best marketing specialists, lawyers, economists, politicians, sinologists, university academics, colleges of UD and the Swedish Trade Council.

Everyone we met – generally and friends – all the way up to the Swedish Royal Family, knew our mind and gave their support. Already during the excavation period the Gothenburg industry thought the idea was brilliant.

For all of us, it was obvious that China was about to wake up and that Sweden, through its unique position as a peaceful trade partner since 1731, this was a unique chance to reconnect with their excellent connections.

Let us look up

When the newly built East Indiaman set sail in October 2005, this was the result of tens of thousands of people’s dedication and work, and an almost Chinese foresight in planning. The reception she received in China was amazing! The value of the goodwill, increase in knowledge, changed attitudes and trade contacts that this project has already created, can not be overstated.

Let us raise your sights above the horizon today. Call in all the good forces in order to re-contribute to our ship, Götheborg, and plan for everything that the ship can be used in the future so that she shall remain the shining symbol that she is.

Our ship will act as a focal point for Swedish international business and entrepreneurship, taking care of our young people, working on peace and environmental activities, promote cultural exchange and point out the value of friendship, knowledge, research, sustainability and peaceful trade. The ship voyages can be combined with exhibitions and education both in modern navigation systems in commercial applications, languages, international trade and leadership.

The ship’s symbolic value is created as to be involved in infrastructure projects, the creation of international trading houses and contribute to business development between Sweden and Asia.

Ship Götheborg has already contributed billions of dollars in marketing value to the Swedish society and has given tens of thousands of people inspired and unforgettable experiences of belonging. There is no reason to let this stop now!

An indispensable symbol

The basis for the ship’s future is a well-functioning economy and long-term planning. The ship is an indispensable symbol of Sweden as a nation, for the Swedish culture and industry and above all as an inspiration for what courage, determination and entrepreneurship can bring. It is our firm conviction that the ownership of the Foundation with enthusiasm and clear vision can create the economic opportunities along with all those who have and will benefit from this ship in the future.”

Anders Wästfelt
Think Tank Indiaman

Think Tank Indiaman was formed in September 2010 on the occasion of the founder current assignment ends in 2011. Thought blacksmiths are: Bengt Tengroth, Bo Alfredsson, Bertil Philipson, Louis Nelson, Peter Kaaling, Jan-Erik Nilsson and Anders Wästfelt.

Well, that’s how I heard that two million will watch Swedish ship Götheborg lead a parade of 150 tall ships , 6,000 boats @ SAIL Amsterdam 2010. Told travelling friends to head that way!

Link – facebook.com/swedishshipgotheborg.

He said,

” For two weeks I have been anxious as a little boy to finally board the ship. I am not a sailor at all, but a chance to be like Jack Sparrow is one that should be taken.”

Don’t expect too many posts though. There is sailing to do!

According to Amreta in Indonesia who saw the film at the Maritime Museum in Jakarta, Swedish singer Maia Hirasawa’s song, “Gothenburg” is played in the closing:

Hope I get to see it sometime soon!

While at his relative’s place in Guangzhou, Alvin, Robina and his sister ventured around in search of coffee and tea. Alvin then spotted a special edition Götheborg pu-er tea bricks! Read his blog.

Earlier this evening, he emailed me a link that had me writing to my old shipmates: he sent me this link to some footage from the Chinese CCTV webpage.

The videos are from a series called New Frontiers that was broadcast in June 2007. The feature, “A voyage chasing the sun” is in English and is base don the footage taken by the Chinese CCTV staff who accompanied the Götheborg enroute to China.

The first episode I watched featured the stopover, New Year celebrations and the arrival and training of the and at Recife – a year before I set foot about her planks!

“The whole world will become peaceful.”

Meanwhile, Amreta Sidik from Jakarta has (finallly!) uploaded a whole bunch of photos from the Singapore visit (4 albums) and Jakarta as well.

2007 marks the 300th birth anniversary of Carolus Linnaeus, the Father of Plant and Animal Classification. Prof Tomas Hallingback, from the Swedish Agricultural University, Uppsala, Sweden will present a seminar on the history, design, transformation, preservation an the scientific significance of the world famous garden built by Linnaeus in Uppsala, Sweden.

All are welcome!

Date: Thursday, 2 August 2007
Venue: Library Courtyard (Level 1 Botany Centre),
Singapore Botanic Gardens

See also Habitatnews.

Volunteer crew on the Götheborg

Port Watch sings!

L-R: Peter Bäversjö, Dag Jonasson, Tobias Gren, Per Nilsson Strängberg,
Henrik Alling, Stina Sahlström.

“I quickly added that “a friend was onboard this ship,” and she said “ok, take take”. The picture but alas not the tea!”

The label apparently states that it is a limited edition and each box has a serial number and a little certificate. He was a little vague but did add that the tea hop, D’Art Station, had two premises in Chinatown at 63 Temple Street, Singapore 058608 and 65 Pagoda Street, S(059224).

I know many of my Swedish crewmates who were in China had returned home with bags of tea from the Chinese, which had been offered in friendship. The sailors from three centuries ago had done pretty much the same thing in an effort to rake in a some profit from the demanding and long voyage from Göteborg to China and back.