Baggensstäket

One of four maritime approaches to Stockholm goes through Baggenstäket. (The other three go via Arholma or via Sandhamn or via Dalarö). But the uplift of the land has made Baggenstäket qoite difficult to use for larger ships. King Gustav Vasa, had an advisor, Botvid.

Botvid put forward a proposal, increase the depth by raising the water level in Stäket! Submerging a timber construction at the narrowest point will raise the water level, was his advice. The king's proposal was not much smarter; build a giant plow he said, and pull it along the bottom! Big rocks could easily be removed with a giant plyer. Neither proposal was ever tried.

The Russians, destroyed everything on their way through Stäket, burning, plundering, eating the cattle, stealing the crops. But they failed to make it through Stäket. Hard resistance from the Swedish made them go go home and they have not been seen in the Stockholm archipelago since. This happened in the year of 1719. In remembrance of the  battle at Stäket amonument was erected on the highest point of Skogsö. Unfortunately the guns point in the wrong direction! The canal is rather narrow and was partly dredged by Russian prisoners of war. Be careful not to meet an archipelago steamer. Thes steamers are obliged to give signals with their horns to warn other yachts, but you cannot be so sure.

Meeting a steamer in Baggensstäket

The foghorn requests free way for the steamer. Speed is reduced. Frightened ducks and yachts try to stay out of the way. The big steamer seems to fill the narrow Stäket. At its narrowest point, Knapens hål, you almost expect the boat to hit the rocks and you can almost read the inscription on the monument.

This monument was erected in memory of the brave Swedish soldiers who stopped the Russian fleet from reaching Stockholm the summer of 1719. In a desperate counter attack the burning and murdering agressor was defeated and thrown back inte the Baltic and Stockholm was safe.
The graves of the fallen heroes can be seen when you pass Boo graveyard on a beautiful grass covered cape.