21/08/2026
🌊 Have you seen our new display yet? 🌊
We’re honoured to have a fascinating piece of local history on display at The Bath Tap — the incredible story of the Vanadis. 🇫🇮⛵
Built in Jakobstad, Finland, this magnificent sailing ship spent almost 30 years crossing the world’s oceans, carrying cargo and experiencing some extraordinary adventures along the way.
⚓ 1874 — Vanadis set out on her maiden voyage from Jakobstad, Finland, bound for Gravesend, England.
🌏 1875 — She sailed from London to Batavia (now Jakarta), Indonesia, arriving after an incredible 11,363-nautical-mile journey.
🇵🇭 1877 — Vanadis reached Manila, Philippines, having sailed from Hong Kong.
🌊 1882 — Disaster struck in the English Channel. A severe storm swept five crew members overboard, with another sadly dying later. The ship sought refuge at Falmouth before continuing her voyage.
🌋 1883 — And then came one of the most extraordinary chapters of all…
While sailing around 100 miles from Krakatau, Indonesia, Vanadis witnessed the catastrophic eruption of the volcano. Explosions, ash and pumice filled the surrounding seas as Krakatau was torn apart and enormous tsunamis devastated the shores of Java and Sumatra.
The Vanadis was covered in ash and sailed on through seas thick with pumice for another week. Imagine being on deck and witnessing that. 😮🌋
And remarkably, this wasn’t the end of her story. The Vanadis continued sailing for many more years before finally being wrecked in Morecambe Bay in 1903. Her remains can still be found at Half Moon Bay, Heysham.
📜 Come and take a look at the display at The Bath Tap and discover the story for yourself.
A ship. A crew. A lifetime of voyages. And a history that connects Finland, England, Asia and some of the most dramatic events of the 19th century.
Have you heard the story of the Vanadis before? 👀
