Career
Tom then began a homestead in the Macrorie area farmed there for seven years. In 1929, the height of the Great Depression he made a laborious return voyage to Finland for a visit. Upon his return he set to building a sea vessel to facilitate his permanent repatriation to his homeland.
Tom Sukanen has been the inspiration for a number of plays and artworks.
Ken Mitchell"s play The Shipbuilder is based on Sukanen"s story, as is Andreas Schroeder"s novel, Dustship Glory. The 2009 film Sisu, directed and written by Chrystene R. Ells and the 1985 short film Shipbuilder by Stephen Surjik are both retellings of his story.
He is the namesake of the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum.
