Billing Boats USA

King Frederik the Seventh sailed on the maiden vovage of the steamship Hjejlen from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget ( Sky Mountain) in Denmark on the 24th of June 1861. She was built by Baumgartner and Wain which later became Burmeister & Wain. This company had earlier built two steamers, and Hjejlen was, in her time, a technical marvel. The originally installed machinery is that in use today.

Hjejlen can attain a speed of 8 knots an hour’. At one time she bore a tall mast after the fashion of the day and this was the only decoration to relieve her otherwise smooth – lines – the wheelhouse and roof are of a much more recent date. Later mast was replaced by funnel. After this time several changes took place. A sun-sail was used but later changed to a permanent roof and it is after the altered plans that the model is made, so that it is true is a copy of the Hjejlen, which sails on the lakes around Silkeborg today.