Chronology

The Sculptor Looks over recent work

George Laakso at the Studio Gallery in Virginia Beach

George Laakso

Sculptor

1918-1981

Chronology

1918- Born George T. Laakso,

December 21, 1918; Helsinki, Finland

1936 – Cadet onboard Finnish Tall Ship Suomen Joutsen. It is unknown whether this is his only cruse with Suomen Joutsen.

During the year long cruse Laakso makes a Port Call with the Tall Ship in New York and meets Ruth Stafford, a high school student who is making a report for her school paper on the visiting Finnish Cadet Ship. They make a date and write through a translator.

1939- Laakso Finnish Ski Marine in Finno-Russian War

1941– George leaves Finland and sails onboard Swedish Cargo Ship as Ordinary-

Seamen to US via South America. Unable to leave during Hampton Roads Port Call he and a Norwegian Seamen jump overboard in Chesapeake while outward bound to Atlantic crossing.

George reunites with Ruth Stafford after traveling to New York City.

George and Ruth Laakso are married, date unknown.

Manhattan Residents; Ruth is Shoe designer for I. Miller, George works in Marine industry.

George seeks change of work in Los Angeles, California. Runs Marina which caters to Hollywood Stars; Earl Flynn one of Georges yacht owners.

Ruth leaves I. Miller and Shoe design to follow George to Hollywood.

Chronology continued: Chronology2

Swan of Finland

SUOMEN JOUTSEN

Full-rigger

281'1" X 40'7"X 22'7"

tonnage: 2299 GRT & 2011 NRT

Suomen Joutsen(Swan of Finland) was built in France in 1902 and Christened;- Laennec. In 1922 she was sold to a German firm in Hamburg and renamed;- Oldenburg. In 1930 she was sold to the Finnish Government to be used as a sail training ship for the navy; she was renamed;- Suomen Joutsen.

From 1930-1938 Suomen Joutsen made 8 cruses all nearly 1 year long. On her 5th ocean trip, from September 10, 1935 - February 7, 1936 she rounded the Cape Horn.

During the 6th voyage, when George Laakso was onboard, Suomen Joutsen visited New York City. This is when he met Ruth Stafford.

The 6th cruse lasted from:- February 11, 1936 -

January 5, 1937. Port Calls as Follows:-

Helsinki -

Leixoes - Dakar (Senegal) -Dominican Republic

Vera Cruz (Mexico) - Havanna (Cuba)

New York

Oslo (Norway)

Helsinki

Suomen Joutsen was a fortunate ship. She survived WWII having been laid up as the mother ship for Submarines. After the war she became mother ship for the Minesweeping Fleet operating in the Gulf of Finland.

In 1946-48 she was re-rigged and made a few short trips. From 1961-1988 she served as a Naval Trade School in Turku, Finland.

Now The Swan of Finland is owned by the City of Turku and maintained as a museum ship. In 2002 she celebrated her 100th anniversary.

In 2005 Suomen Joutsen appeared in Wagners'

Flying Dutchman.

George Laakso

SCULPTURE