The Åland galeas Albanus was a typical representative of the beautiful ships used by sailors and farmers carry firewood and other goods to ports like Stockholm, Helsinki and Turku around the turn of the 20th century.
In the 1980s the Albanus was made the model for a newly built ship, a project which attracted widespread interest also outside Åland. One purpose with the building project was to recreate one of these ships in order to preserve the art of traditional shipbuilding for the future. At the same time we were given a ship extremely well suited for camp schools, excursions, chartering, etc.
The Albanus is owned and operated by the Albanus Ship Society, a non-profit organisation.

During the 19th
and well into the 20th century hundreds of galeases and sloops sailed between Åland and Stockholm, Turku, Helsinki and Reval, carrying firewood, agricultural products, fish, etc. This domestic sailing trade formed the basis of the seafaring tradition which has been so influential for social and economic development in Åland. During a period of 80 years starting from the mid-1800s, more than 300 galeases, sloops and larger ships were built in Åland. None of these have been preserved.

The original galeas
Albanus was built in 1904 by the shipbuilder Johan August Henriksson in Äppelö, Hammarland. Mr Henriksson, who was also a farmer, owned and operated the ship for four years before selling it to Sottunga. Later the ship came to Raumo, where she was struck off the ship register in 1929, after having run aground.
Mr Henriksson was one of Åland's foremost shipbuilders. It was important to him that the ships he built should be beautiful and sail well. His entire production can be seen at the Åland Maritime Museum, in the form of half models and drawings.

In 1986
the Albanus Ship Society was formed. The purpose was to rebuild an Åland galeas, thus giving Åland a beautiful symbol, offering young people the opportunity to sail on an old-fashioned galeas, as well as documenting and preserving the know-how which still existed among the few people who had taken part in such building projects.
The new galeas Albanus was built according to original drawings, on a temporary shipyard in Mariehamn.
During the autumn of 1986, timber was procured. The ribs were built during the winter. The keel was laid in the spring of 1987, and planking was begun in late autumn. The ship was launched in July 1988. The remaining building work was done during the autumn and winter, and in spring 1989 the Albanus was rigged. She began sailing in May 1989.
The Albanus is carvel-built in Åland pine and spruce. 600 logs, 12,000 forged ship's nails and some 1,500 large bolts were used in the building. The first set of the eight sails were hand-sewn in linen by old Cape Horners.

The most important activity is sail training and camp schools aimed at young people. The purpose is to teach young people about the coastal areas, the sea and its traditions. Working in groups doing everything that life on board involves gives added confidence and improves co-operating skills.
Also other people interested in the coastal culture and traditional sailing are welcome to sail the galeas.