2-913-713 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Abo, the Capital of Russian Finland, 1854. 'The city of Abo (pronounced Obo, the Finnish name is Turku), contains about 14,000 inhabitants. It has four or five barracks, some of them built of wood, which, in time of peace, have in them from 3000 to 4000 Russians, as the Fins call all soldiers...There is an old Swedish palace at the mouth of the river, called the Slott (palace or castle), now used as a prison and barrack...Behind the Slott is a bridge half a mile long, made of piles, and connecting the island of Runsalla with the main land...Opposite Runsalla is the island of Beckholm. where large ships anchor and discharge into lighters, as there is not water enough in the river for vessels drawing more than twelve to fourteen feet. Passenger steamers proceed up to the lower bridge, though they sometimes get aground in the river when the water is low...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.