The paddle wheel, which now stands behind the Ironworks Museum facing Lake Eikeren, comes from the steamship Ekeren. The ship was built at Bergens Mekaniske Verksted between 1850 and 1857. It operated on a regular route between Christiania and Bygdøy under the name Bygdø for a couple of years, until it was purchased by Eidsfoss Ironworks in 1860. It was christened Ekhof, after the villages of Eker and Hof, but was later renamed Ekeren.
Ekeren operated on the route between Vestfossen and Eidsfoss until around 1914, carrying both cargo and passengers. It was subsequently used as a barge for a couple of years, during which time its paddlewheel and machinery were dismantled. The ship sank at Bånepina, off Hakavika power station, during a storm in 1917, and now lies at the bottom of Lake Eikern. It was the Ekeren that carried the distinguished guests to the opening of the Tønsberg–Eidsfoss railway in 1901.
When the steamship Stadshauptmand Schwartz entered service in 1903, it took over most of the passenger traffic on Lake Eikeren. It operated a regular service between Eidsfoss and Vestfossen until it sank at the power station’s jetty in 1931. The ship was salvaged in 1995 and is now on display at Kølabånn, where you can also find more information about its history.
Next to Skovlhjulet, you can see the remains of the foundations of the railway workshop for the Tønsberg–Eidsfoss Line and a small section of the narrow-gauge sidetrack that ran here..
Below: A film about the steam ship Ekeren, by Christian Erik Nordby.
The sculpture ‘To Elise’
The sculpture ‘To Elise’ refers to the Nord-Jarlsberg Museums’ exhibition on Elise Kristensen and her life at Eidsfoss from 1867 to 1957. Elise was a mould-maker’s widow at Eidsfos Verk with four young children. The exhibition offers an insight into her life story, the social issues of the time and the role of women during that period. You’ll find the exhibition next to the Old Eidsfos Tavern.
The Schooner (c. 1860)
Down by the river, right next to the pier, you can see the remains of the hull of ‘The Schooner’. This was originally a 15-metre-long barge and cargo boat that operated on Lake Eikern from around 1860 to 1901. Among other things, it was used to transport pig iron and coke from Drammen via Vestfossen.
However, when the Tønsberg–Eidsfos railway opened, there was little use for the old cargo boat. It was now used to provide accommodation for sawmill workers from out of town, moored at the river mouth. Many people also used to stand on deck and fish.
This Picture at the top of this page was taken when the steam ship Ekere was moored by the Ironworks jetty in 1900. Notice how it leads the Swedish-Norwegian union flag, which was referred to as ‘Sildesalaten’ (the herring salad), with a mix of both flags in the left hand corner.
Unknown photographer. Hand colored by Bjørn Vangen.
