Book

M/S Wilhelm Tham

- our second oldest ship

M/S Wilhelm Tham was built at Motala Werkstad and was launched in 1912. She was listed in 2004 by the National Maritime Museums, considering her historically important. This distinction naturally makes us quite proud as it proves our efforts to preserve the ship have succeeded.

There are room for around 50 passengers in 25 cabins on three decks. The dining room and lounge are found on shelter deck and the bridge deck offers a covered aft deck with a picture-perfect view.

In 2001, the dining room on the M/S Wilhelm Tham was extended and in 2003-2004 the cabins, dining room and lounge were renovated. Much has been done to preserve the right atmosphere on board, with furnishings that match the period.

Cabins

The cabins are tastefully decorated with beautiful fabrics and brass details. The size of the cabins is comparable to a smaller sleeping compartment on a train, but unlike the train, most guests are only in the cabin while sleeping. They are small and cosy, giving the guest an impression of how people once travelled. All cabins are on the outside and above the waterline and they have a washbasin with cold and hot water.

Beds

With a few exceptions, M/S Wilhelm Tham has bunk beds in all cabins. On the main deck, there are two Honeymoon cabins, each with a 120-cm wide Queen-size bed, and there is also a 4-bed cabin.

Category A – Bridge deck

The upper deck of the ship is bridge deck which offers a perfect view. On board the M/S Wilhelm Tham there are a total of six cabins on this deck. The bridge deck also functions as sun deck. Those who book a cabin in category A will be welcomed by champagne, fruit and a bathrobe. On this deck there is also a toilet and a shower.

Category B – Shelter deck 

The middle deck of the ship is the shelter deck and this is also the deck where you come on board.  There are six cabins on this deck. Here you will also find the dining room and a cosy lounge. There are two toilets on the shelter deck - one of them is combined with a shower.

Category C – Main deck 

Main deck is located one staircase down in the ship and on this deck there is a total of 13 cabins. Two of the cabins is our Honeymoon cabins. On main deck there are three toilets and three showers.

Toilets & showers

Because it is an old ship, no cabin has its own toilet or shower. However, there are shared toilet and shower facilities on each deck, so they are nearby. The toilets and showers are cleaned several times a day so they are fresh and clean for the next guest to use.

Ship facts

Since 2001, M/S Wilhelm Tham belongs to Strömma Turism & Sjöfart after their acquisition of the shipping company Astrea.

  • Signal letters: SHIG
  • Shipyard: Motala
  • Speed: 9 knots
  • Engine: 600 hp
  • Gross tonnage: 268
  • Length: 31.53 m
  • Beam: 7.73 m
  • Draught: 2.72m
  • No. of cabins: 25
  • Wheelchair accesible: No

History

M/S Wilhelm Tham is our second oldest ships. This canal boat is named after the eponymous industrialist and President of Husqvarna Vapenfabrik (1876-1911).

M/S Wilhelm Tham was built at the Motala Werkstad specifically to fit the locks of the Göta Canal. Launched in 1912, she joined the M/S Viktor Rydberg and Per Brahe in a series of three ships named after famous Småland natives of the period.

In 1914 the shipping company acquired the Wilhelm Tham in connection with the merger with the Ångbåts Aktiebolaget Jönköping-Stockholm, and at the same time M/S Wilhelm Tham was rebuilt. Her current profile was created at Falkenberg shipyard in 1961. One of the changes was to move the deckhouse forward to the mast, which in turn was placed on top of the bridge. This change doubled the number of cabins. In 1965 a diesel motor replaced the steam engine.

Rent a ship

Are you planning a wedding, conference or kickoff? We offer tailor-made cruises in Gothenburg and Stockholm archipelagos, on Lake Vänern and on the Göta Kanal.

Company History

The company was founded on February 27 1869, under the name Ångfartygsaktiebolaget Motala Ström. Since January 2001 Rederi AB Göta Kanal is a part of Strömma Group.