Finngrundet Lightvessel, Stockholm Sweden

My travel to Sweden made me realized that I am missing something about lighthouses.  

I've seen my first lightvessel in Stockholm. The Finngrundet Lightvessel.

So what is really a lightvessel?  It is a ship that acts as a lighthouse.  They are used in waters that are too deep or unsuitable for lighthouse construction.

Record says that the first lightvessel was off the Nore sandbank shore at the River Thames' mouth in England.  It was invented by Robert Hamblin in 1734.  

The lightvessel became obsolete, and the construction techniques of the lighthouse advanced through the years.  

The Finngrundet Lightvessel was active for 66 years, from 1903 to 1969. And in 1970, it was donated to the National Maritime History Museum (Vasa Museum), where it has been on display. 

I did a 2-hour sightseeing boat tour in Stockholm.  It was a fantastic day . . . the sun was shining, the breeze was perfect, and the magnificent view was tremendous.

Most of the time, I meet people who share their own stories.  The ship's captain was nice, chatted with me, and said that his daughter, who also works at the ship, is in Chicago. He took my photo while waiting for our departure time. 

I couldn't get enough of this boat tour and the discovery of my first lightvessel in Sweden.  I hope to see more lightvessels as I continue this journey.  

The experience of traveling lighthouses consists of not just merely seeing them or climbing the top.  It includes some surprises and challenges.  I actually didn't plan to see a lighthouse in Stockholm.  But it happened.  And that's the beauty of this journey.

I may not have boarded the actual lightvessel, but seeing it from afar, on a boat, having a wonderful time was such a great and one of the best travels I have had.  I am always grateful for this experience.