Discovering the Suur Toll icebreaker ship in Tallinn
Image credit: Haus of Hiatus
The remarkable Suur Tõll, Estonia's iconic flagship and a living testament to the country's maritime heritage. Anchored within the captivating Seaplanes Maritime Museum in Tallinn, this steam-powered icebreaker is a sight to behold.
Named after the legendary giant hero of Estonian mythology, Suur Tõll (Big Tõll) pays homage to the mighty Toell the Great, who once roamed the island of Saaremaa. Legend has it that Toell would hurl massive rocks, often targeting his archenemy Vanatühi or any foes threatening the people of Saaremaa.
Originally constructed in 1914 by AG Vulcan in Stettin, Germany, Suur Tõll emerged as the Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, serving the Russian Empire. However, amidst the turbulent times of the Russian Revolution in 1917, she fell into the hands of the Bolsheviks, undergoing a name change to Volynets. Soon after, in 1918, Finland captured the icebreaker, renaming her Wäinämöinen until 1922. It was then, as part of the Treaty of Tartu, that Suur Tõll was handed over to Estonia, proudly embracing her true identity.
Throughout her eventful history, Suur Tõll remained an invaluable asset to Estonia's maritime endeavours. Sadly, when the Soviet Union occupied Estonia in 1940, the icebreaker was integrated back into the Soviet fleet, regaining the name Volynets. Remarkably, Suur Tõll persevered, serving tirelessly until 1985, her bow forging a path through icy waters for decades.
However, fate had a different plan for this majestic vessel. As the Soviet Navy sought to sell the decommissioned icebreaker for scrap, the Estonian Maritime Museum stepped in and secured her rescue in 1987. Rechristened with her original Estonian name, Suur Tõll underwent an extensive restoration, reviving her grandeur to shine once more.
Today, Suur Tõll stands proudly as the largest preserved pre-war icebreaker worldwide, moored at the historical seaplane harbour of Lennusadam in Tallinn.
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