Page 106 - Handout

The Neutral Sweden’s Era of Peace, 1815- Swedish naval visits to educate, maintain friendships and search for new knowledge in Europe, Africa and West Indies 1898-1914 Sweden sent Navy vessels on missions abroad to The Swedish Pansarskepp were built and designed for search for new knowledge and technology, promote coastal defence with heavier artillery and armament but Swedish trade, visit foreign countries militaries, train low speed and range. They were shallow-draft cruiser- Swedish officers and escort Swedish merchant vessels. size ships capable of littoral operations close to shores. Thereby to connect with other people to reduce the risk of a future conflict. At least one longer voyage per year with departure in the autumn and back home in spring is done by the In this period the Swedish Navy acquired and started Swedish Navy. Also during summer several ships is to use its “Pansarskepp” (pre-Dreadnought armoured used for training and exercises and sometimes someone coastal defence ships) and armoured cruisers, for could sail to neighbouring countries. training, exercises and visits to abroad. Still the a little bit older steam corvettes were also used. Swedish warships with their active service period in this section: HMS Balder (1870-1901) Balder was built at the Naval Shipping Yard in Karlskrona as a steam corvette. She was 62 m. long, 11,5 m. wide and weight was 1873 ton. Armed with 8 cannons. Normal crew size: 218 men. HMS Saga (1878-1926) Saga was built at the Naval Shipping Yard in Karlskrona as a steam corvette. She was 61 m. long, 10,2 m. wide and weight was 1617 ton. Armed with 10 cannons after conversion in 1888. Normal crew size: 188 men. HMS Freja (1886-1907) Freja was built at Kockums shipyard in Malmö as a steam corvette. She was 65,8 m. long, 12,2 m. wide and weight was 1998 ton. Armed with 18 cannons. Normal crew size: 250 men.