Af Chapman, full-rigged steel ship
Af Chapman is a full-rigged sailing ship with three tall masts moored in central Stockholm near Skeppsholmen. The 88-meter steel vessel was built in England in 1888 and now functions as a youth hostel offering accommodation in original ship cabins.
Originally named Dunboyne, the vessel sailed between England, America, and Australia carrying cargo and passengers. Sweden's navy acquired the ship in 1923, renamed it in honor of a naval officer, and operated it as a training ship for sailors until after World War II.
The ship is named after a renowned Swedish naval officer and reflects Stockholm's deep maritime heritage. Its rigging and wooden deck embody how generations of people here have looked to the sea for livelihood and identity.
The ship is accessible by a gangway from the mainland and sits centrally in Stockholm within walking distance of museums, parks, and the old town. Accommodation ranges from dormitory beds to private rooms, with reception and cafe facilities located in a nearby building on the island.
It is one of the few floating hostels in the world, offering a rare chance to sleep in actual ship cabins and feel the gentle rock of the water. The wooden structure and rigging date from an era before engines, when sail ships ruled the oceans.
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