A.V. Nyman & J. Bergman Olsson (19th Century Swedish Mariners)

 

From Baltic Waters to Atlantic Ambitions: The Story Behind a 19th-Century Pilot Book

Inside the worn cover of a 19th-century Atlantic Pilot, a pair of inscriptions and a stamped seal offer a glimpse into the lives of two Swedish mariners A. V. Nyman and J. Bergman Olsson and their possible ambitions beyond the Baltic Sea.

 

The Inscription: A Signature of Purpose

On one of the opening pages, a handwritten note reads:

“Timbâin A. V. Nyman Ombord i ‘Gotland’ 1884”

This inscription, dated the same year the book was published, suggests that A. V. Nyman was its original owner. The phrase “Ombord i ‘Gotland’ (Onboard the Gotland) confirms he was aboard the steamship Gotland in 1884, likely using the guide for professional navigation. The enigmatic word “Timbâin” may have been a personal label, a ship name, or a stylised reference its meaning lost to time but still evocative.

Just below, another name appears:

“J. Bergman Olsson 1887”

While this might initially suggest a later addition by Olsson, closer inspection reveals both inscriptions are in the same handwriting. This detail shifts the narrative: it is likely that Nyman himself recorded both entries, not only marking his own use but also acknowledging Olsson’s involvement three years later.

 The Stamp: A Seal of Collaboration

An oval stamp on the same page reads:

“J. BERGMAN OLSSON A. V. NYMAN NORDMALING”

This stamp binds the two men together, not just in ink but in purpose. The shared handwriting of both inscriptions suggests that A. V. Nyman acted as a steward or recorder within a maritime enterprise, documenting the book’s journey through time and ownership. Rather than Olsson adding his name independently, the book reflects a continuity of use perhaps within a navigational office or firm based in Nordmaling, a coastal town in northern Sweden. The stamp likely represents a joint venture, formal partnership, or shared professional identity.

 

Baltic Mariners with Atlantic Vision

Both Nyman and Olsson were active in the Baltic Sea region, yet the presence of an Atlantic Pilot hints at broader ambitions. Olsson, in particular, was involved in timber exports and operated merchant vessels that likely sailed to Western Europe and possibly North America. The guide may have served as a training tool, a reference for future voyages, or part of a fleet library used by multiple captains.

 

A Fleet Resource, Not a Ship-Specific Tool

The Atlantic Pilot was probably part of a shared navigational library used by multiple captains or vessels within a maritime firm. So even if Gotland didn’t sail beyond the Baltic, other ships in their network might have.

Olsson’s business interests were expanding in the 1880s. His firm was involved in timber exports from northern Sweden to Western Europe and possibly North America. Owning an Atlantic Pilot would have been a strategic move preparing for future voyages, training crew, or planning routes for vessels like the brig Paul, which was auctioned in Göteborg in 1888.

In the 19th century, pilot books were expensive, authoritative, and often shared among mariners. Having one aboard even if unused on a specific route was a sign of readiness and professionalism. It could be consulted for unfamiliar ports, hazards, or even used in negotiations and planning with foreign agents.

Since both inscriptions appear to be in Nyman’s handwriting, he may have acted as a steward or navigator responsible for maintaining the book. The Gotland might have simply been the vessel he was aboard when he acquired it not necessarily the only ship it served.

So while Gotland stayed within Baltic waters, the Atlantic Pilot was a symbol of ambition, enterprise, and maritime foresight. It’s a quiet testament to how mariners like Nyman and Olsson looked beyond the horizon even if their ship didn’t.

 

Maritime Expansion Beyond the Baltic

According to Swedish archival sources and Håkan Nihlman's historical study (Familjen Bergman Olsons rederi- och industriverksamhet), Olsson’s firm was involved in:

Timber exports from Kalix älvdal, destined for markets in Western Europe and possibly North America

Ownership of vessels like the brig Paul, auctioned in Göteborg in 1888, suggesting active trade routes beyond domestic waters

Shipbuilding and fleet operations based in Risön, with connections to Stockholm, Nordmaling, and Waldemarsudde

These ventures required navigational knowledge of Atlantic ports, hazards, and coastal approaches exactly the kind of information contained in the Atlantic Pilot.

 

The Swedish Steamship Gotland

The steamship Gotland, active in the late 19th century including 1884 was part of the fleet operated by Ångfartygsbolaget Gotland, the predecessor to today’s Gotlandsbolaget.

Built in 1868 at Bergsunds Mekaniska Verkstad in Stockholm operated as a passenger and mail ferry between the Swedish mainland and the island of Gotland and was art of a growing fleet that included other vessels like S/S Wisby (1866), S/S Thjelvar (1876), and S/S Klintehamn (1876)

Played a vital role in Gotland’s communication and transport network, especially before the widespread use of railways on the island

 
Historical Context

In the 1870s and 1880s, Gotland was becoming increasingly connected to the mainland, and steamships like the Gotland were essential for mail delivery, passenger travel, and freight. The company held a contract with the Swedish postal service, making these ships crucial for national infrastructure. By 1884, the Gotland was already a seasoned vessel, having served for over 15 years.

 

Reconstructing the Gotland Steamship Route (circa 1884)

The S/S Gotland, operated by Ångfartygsbolaget Gotland, primarily sailed between:

These routes were plotted on Swedish nautical charts published by the Hydrographic Office. The steamships followed coastal navigation markers, lighthouses, and depth contours especially important in the narrow passages near Södertälje and Kalmar.

 

A Book That Traveled Far

This pilot book is more than a navigational aid it’s a historical artefact that traces the professional lives of two Swedish mariners. It speaks to a time when the Baltic was a gateway, not a boundary, and when men like Nyman and Olsson looked beyond familiar waters toward the wider world.