1974 Holmegaard Ship's plate with motif of Hjejlen - The Oldest Paddle-Steamer in Denmark. Inscription: Hjuldamper Hjejlen
The beautiful paddle steamer was launched on May 25th 1861 by Baumgarten and Burmeister in Copenhagen. The vessel was ordered by the founder of the town Silkeborg, Michael Drewsen, an it was the first passenger ship on the Silkeborg lakes. It was called the Hjejlen ( The Golden Plover) after the bird which, at that time, was a typical inhabitant of the moors. Today the bird has been almost crowded out, and in the Silkeborg district the boat's whistle is more often heard than that of the bird. After considerable towing difficulties the Hjejlen was able to moor along its future berth on June 18th 1861, and on June 24th its inauguration took place with King Frederik VII on board. The Hjejlen has undergone some changes since then. As early as 1871 the mast was removed and the funnel arranged to bend backwards when the boat went under the railway bridge. A rail was put up all the way round, and the original steam boiler- an ordinary locomotive boiler- has been replaced. The Hjejlen was equipped with an engine room telegraph and an enclosed wheel house. The Hjejlen is still in regular service, and the good ship carries thousands of tourists from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget (The Heaven Mountain) and back again every year.