The rapids of the Torne

On 6 July 1736, the expedition boarded boats in Tornio and set off towards the hills of the Torne Valley, which served as measurement points. They had seven boats, each with three rowers.

The river made the expedition’s work much easier, as people, research equipment and other gear travelled along it with relative ease.

At around 500 kilometres long, the Torne is the largest free-flowing river in Europe. Unlike many other large rivers, its rapids have not been harnessed for electricity generation.

The river has its source in the fells on the border between Sweden and Norway. The fell streams flow into Lake Torneträsk, from where the river meanders through northern Sweden until it turns into a border river after Pajala and joins Muonio River.

While crossing the Torne back and forth by boat and in winter by sled, the expedition repeatedly had to pass several rapids of the river. Sometimes, some of the French would raft the rapids in boats, either out of a sense of adventure or sheer fatigue.

The French were impressed by the skill of the local rowers in navigating the rapids.
The boats used were lighter than French boats. In his journal, Réginald Outhier describes how, when descending rapids, two men always row at a fast pace and a third man steers the boat to prevent it from hitting rocks. Sometimes the speed was so fierce that the boats seemed to be floating in the air above the waves.

Outhier’s map of the triangulation in the Torne Valley shows the following rapids listed from south to north: Kukkolankoski, Matkakoski, Vuennonkoski, Sompakoski, Kauvokoski, Kattilakoski, Korpikoski, Valkeakoski, Hirvaskoski and Puruskoski.

A Finnish word koski means a rapid.

Sompakoski is marked at where Kauvokoski is. It is not specifically designated on the current maps.
In his journal, Outhier also talks about Vojakkalankoski. By this he probably means Isonärä and Vähänärä in the villages of Ala- and Ylivojakkala.