History

For centuries, Odense River was an important way of travelling for the people of Odense. If one sailed northwards with the current, one quickly came to Odense Fjord – and out into the big world. If one sailed southwards against the current, one could get as far as South Funen, for the river rises in Arreskov Lake, less than ten kilometres from the South Funen coast.

In the 19th century, however, sailing southwards acquired a completely new dimension, for then it became modern to sail up river to a woodland ball in Fruens Bøge. Originally the woodland excursions originally began in Hunderup wood, close to Fruens Bøge. Rowing up river was romantic, although somewhat exhausting. So some prudent people came on the idea of installing a steamboat on the river. In 1882, ‘Kvik’ came into service. In 1886, it was joined by ‘Pilen’, ‘Odin’ and ‘St. Alban’ as well as several large tugs. On a good summer Sunday, it was possible to convey up to 400 passengers an hour in each direction. At that time, there were five restaurants: Carlslund, Røde Hus, Skovlyst, Sorgenfri and Skovpavillionen. Of these, only Carlslund still remains. If one was destined for the ball, one came dressed to the nines. The gentlemen in their high hats and white gloves, the ladies in sweeping long dresses and with shawl and parasol. The Whitsun trips were a firm tradition. For the princely sum of 25 øre, a return trip was yours a century ago. Domestic servants and farmhands were not admitted to the dance venues – they were only for the upper bourgeoisie.

 This photo was taken after the boat had left Munke Mose. It dates from 1902

(Information about ‘Sailing up river’ and ‘history and photographs of sailing up river’ are reproduced with the kind permission of Vibeke Brandt and have been taken from her book ‘Sejle op ad åen’.)