It is claimed that in the days of old strong forest growth was once found on Jurmo, but as the land became barren, the story is also told that the men of the island may have tied a lantern to the tail of a cow on an autumn’s night so it would see the way. If some ship happened to make a mistake due to the lights and ran aground, this was the gift of the Lord to the poor archipelago inhabitants. Perhaps these lights were set glowing a little too often and the fruit of the sea was occasionally gathered a bit too vigorously! At least the many unexplained shipwrecks in the vicinity of the island raised the suspicions of Gustaf Wasa, and he sent investigators to the isle during the 16th century. After receiving their report, he issued the order to destroy the island—including its entire population. According to tradition, there was a cave near Staffasgåbben and Lillstugåbben or an enclosure made of stone in which a few of the islanders managed to save themselves from being destroyed. The tale of fiery destruction would explain the austerity of Jurmo and its lack of soil. Be that as it may, Jurmo is known as one big boulder field, both above and below water. A two-mile reef extends from Jurmo out to the sea, which continues below the water at least by the same distance, forming a perilous trap for mariners.   

The timetable of Pärnäs-Utö for 1.9.2011 - 2.6.2012