Built at Akers mek. Verksted, Oslo, 131.1' x 22.1' x 15.6' (according to this posting to my Ship Forum).

WW II: Used as transport for the Norwegian and allied forces at the beginning of the war in Norway. Sunk by German aircraft on May 4-1940, near Bangsund in the Namsen fjord. Raised during the war and reentered service.

See also this thread on my Ship Forum; one of the replies says: "Aafjord was salvaged June 22nd-1940 and taken to Trondheim for repair. The repairs was never completed and she sank again. Once again she was raised and sold to Bodø Skipsvverft & mek. Verksted A/S in 1948 for 55000 n.kr. All plans of a complete repair failed and she was sold for srapping in 1952 to Stavanger Skibs-Ophugnings Co. A/S. Source: 'Gamle Dampen' - Olaf T.Engvig-1977."

The posting adds: "I have also a source that says that Aafjord wasn't scrapped but put back to service as barge Fjordsol and existed up to the 1970's. Source: A/S Namsos Trafikkselskap (Fleetlist1879-1994)-Finn R.Hansen."

Another response in the same thread says: "The wreck of the raised Aafjord was taken "in Anspruch" for being used as a floating steamproducer in Trondheim. She sank 8.6.43 when in such service with the 4. M-Flotilla in Trondheim. Tug Fættenfjord got the blame for bad seamanship when having some pontons fastened to the Aafjord. I have her as barge Fjordsol from 1952 too. Barges are, as far as I know, not registered, and it might very well have been another vessel with that name."

Pre war history: Delivered in 1936 from Gravdal Skipsbyggeri & Trelastforretning, Sunde as Åkrafjord to Jon Aakre, Åkra in Sunnhordland, made of pine and oak, 65,3 x 17,7 x 8,6 feet, Wichmann 132 hp, 8,5 knots. In local passenger service Åkrafjord / Inner Sunnhordland, registered in Bergen - 120 passengers, 35 tons cargo.

WW II: Hired out to Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen in 1940, continuing in the same service. Rescued survivors from Austri on Febr. 21-1945; more details under D/S Austri. Taken over by Eindride Aakre at some point in the 1940's (widow of Jon Aakre, who had died in German imprisonment).

POST WAR: Hired out in 1950 to Det Helgelandske Dampskibsselskab, Sandnessjøen by Eindride Aakre and placed in the Sandnessjøen-Glein route. Sold in Apr.-1954 to Helgeland Trafikkselskap A/S, Sandnessjøen (fleet list says sold to Det Helgelandske Dampskibsselskab), renamed Løkta. Placed in the Visten route in Sept.-1960. Ran aground in fog near Stokkaskjær in Oct.-1961 and partly sank, repaired for a month at Sandnessjøen Slip. Run into in the harbour at Sandnessjøen on July 5-1965, condemned and put up for sale by Trondhjems Forsikringsselskap (insurers). In 1965 her wheelhouse was installed on the freighter Hans.

(Info on this vessel partly from T. Eriksen, Norway [his source: "Fjordabåten", Dag Bakka jr. 1994], and partly from Det Helgelandske D/S fleet list, Finn R. Hansen).

Taken over by the Germans. There seems to be some disagreement in the various sources as to the cause of her demise. "Hjemmeflåten - Mellom venn og fiende" says she was sunk in Sognesjøen by a submarine on Sept. 17-1941, but this incident is not mentioned in Jürgen Rohwer's "Allied Submarine Attacks". On the other hand, "Norges, Sveriges og Danmarks Handelsflåter - tilgang og avgang 1940-1945" says she sank following a collision on Sept. 16. A visitor to my website has told me that he has found info saying that the ship she collided with was the steamer Carl Rehder. At this time she was the German Vorpostenboot V-5107 = Sturm (German for storm). His source agrees with the location and gives the date as Sept. 16.

An earlier Aalesund: Haugesund had a steamer by this name in WW I, originally delivered as Aalesund to Brødrene Kraasbye, Ålesund in 1890, 414 gt. Purchased by Jens Gjerdsjø, Haugesund in May-1897, registered with Gjerdsø & Bakkevig from 1898. Sold to Johan Amundsen, Haugesund in Jan.-1917. Torpedoed and sunk by UC-71 on Jan. 23-1918 southwest of St. Caterines light on a voyage Caen-Barry in ballast with the loss of 7 lives. ("Våre gamle skip", Leif M. Bjørkelund and E. H. Kongshavn).

Pre war History:
Delivered in July-1929 from A/S Mjellem & Karlsen, Bergen as Aalvik to Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Steel hull, 113,2’ x 20,6’ x 9,7’, 245 gt, Tripple Expansion. Trial run took place on July 8-1929. Entered the tourist trade in Sørfjord, Hardanger in the summertime, express service Bergen-Odda in the wintertime.

WW II: Collided near Granvin in Febr.-1942 with D/S Rosendal (same owner), not seriously damaged. In Nov.-1943 she ran into a blacked out U-boat near Knarrevik. When the big explosion occurred in Bergen on Apr. 20-1944 (see D/S Rogaland for more details), Aalvik was at Holbergskaien, as were Stord and Ullensvang, and the 3 vessels were badly damaged in the explosion. All glass on board Aalvik, including wash basins and toilets were broken. In order to remove the ships from the fire danger among the buildings around Holbergskaien Ullensvang's Captain Lund, together with Stord's Mate Fleten managed to get them out into the fjord, with Aalvik in tow. Repaired and back in service.

See also this thread on my Ship Forum.

POST WAR: Sold in Aug.-1962 to Kr. Dørheim (O. H. Meling), Stavanger, converted to freighter at Karmsund Verft & Mek. Verksted, Avaldsnes, Karmøy, 120,5’ x 20,7’ x 9,7’, 189 gt, 200 dwt, a Brunvoll 220 bhp (from 1957) installed. Delivered in June-1963 and in service as M/S Bergum. Sold in March-1964 to Da A/S Audun (Jens Marcussen), Tvedestrand, renamed Askheim. Sold in May-1968 (Hans P. Berge, Bergen), renamed Hamo. Sold in Oct.-1968 (Lars L. Austnes, Haramsøy). Sold in Sept.-1973 (Sverre Vindenes, Holmedal, Sunnfjord). Sold in July-1977 to Karl Totland, Tysnes (not in use for quite some time and consequently in a bad state of repair). Sold in Febr.-1982 to Statlandsverftet A/S, Nord-Statland, intended for use as freighter but found to be in too bad a shape and sale was annulled. Totland, however, refused to take her back, and when he at the same time neglected to pay misc. bills from the yard Hamo was taken in arrest. She developed a list in 1984 and sank alongside the guay at Statlandsverftet (yard) after not having been in use for several years. Deleted from Norwegian register as condemned on Febr. 7-2000 (wreck might still be there?).

(From T. Eriksen, Norway, misc. sources).

Pre war history: Built by Janssen & Schmilinsky, Hamburg, Germany as Activ for D/S Activ, Kristiansand. Iron hull, 84.2' x 16.2' x 9.9', 89,82 gt, 2cyl compound 30nhk. In regulalrly scheduled service between Kristiansand and Arendal. In 1892 the company changed its name to A/S Dampskibene Agder & Activ, Kristiansand, then in 1900 it became A/S D/S Agder, Kristiansand. The vessel was sold in June-1926 to Sør-Askøy Dampskibsselskab A/S, Strusshamn, Askøy, possibly rebuilt? In service Bergen – Askøy.

WW II: On hire 1940-1944 to A/S Jøsenfjord Ruteselskap, Stavanger for service in Ryfylke.

Rebuilt in 1943? From 1944 she was on hire to Lindaas-Masfjorden Dampskipslag LL, Bergen for use in the company's Bergen-Nordhordland routes.

(Note that there was also another ship by this name, built in 1903, 507 gt, belonging to Hjellestads Rederi A/S, Haugesund. This ship is listed in the Norway-U.K. Convoy HN 7 in Jan.-1940 as well as in the U.K.-Norway Convoy ON 10 and in HN 12 in Febr.-1940).

POST WAR: Again leased to Lindaas-Masfjorden Dampskipslag LL, Bergen in the spring of 1948. In 1950 the owning company fused into Rutelaget Askøy-Bergen A/S, Kleppestø, Askøy. Laid up in 1955. Sold in Dec.-1958 to to Oscar Nærø, Florø, possibly used as accommodation vessel? Sold in 1959 to Lars Hosøy m.f., Ostereidet, rebuilt to freighter, 91 gt / t.dwt:120, motor installed. Entered service as freighter Activ around 1960, used in the sand trade around Bergen. Sold in 1961 (M. Strømme, Bergen), same service. Sold again in 1967 (Eilert Gjelseth, Bergen), same service. Skippers were Arnold Hjorth, Strusshamn, Askøy (early 1970's), Svenn Tore Johnsen, Stamneshella ('73-'79), Aslak Ulevik, Stamneshella. In 1973 she bumped into the freighter Planet (same owner) near Sletten Quay, Flesland. Planet sank, but Activ was undamaged. Sold in 1979 to Edvard Stabben, Tømmervåg, sold again in 1980 to Tor Wassdahl, Grubhei. Developed a list on June 13-1981 between Tranøy Light and Lødingen, Vestfjord and sank in 7-8 minutes, crew saved themselves on raft.

(All details on this vessel, except convoy info, was received from T. Eriksen, Norway - misc. sources).

Bombed and sunk by aircraft on July 5-1941 off Kjerringa, Stadhavet, on a voyage Idefjord-Hommelvik.

Pre war history: Launched by Armstrong Withworth & Co. (SB) Ltd., Newcastle on Apr. 8-1931 (1060) as Ashmore to Skibs-AS Ashmore (Bertrand Jacobsen), Arendal. Steel hull, 396.2’ x 55.1’ x 32.3’, 6126 gt, 9400 tdwt, 6cyl 2tev dm (Armstrong Withworth) 583nhp, 10 knots. While still building, the company had financial difficulties and was unable to take over the ship, which was consequently laid up for sale at the yard. Sold in Apr.-1932 to A. S. Allen, London, but still laid up due to that company's financial situation. Intended sold to IS (Johs. Kallevig), Arendal in Oct.-1933, but sale cancelled, still laid up. Sold on Dec.-28-1933 to C. H. Sørensen & Sønner, Arendal, renamed Aino.

WW II: Seized while at Framnæs Mek. Verksted, Sandefjord by the Kriegsmarine on April 28-1940, allogated to Trossschiff-Verband Nord. Renamed Diedenhofen on Aug. 12 (supply vessel). Struck a mine off Den Helder on Sept. 12-1940, beached, refloated and repaired. Used as depot vessel at the Kriegsmarine-Werft in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, later stationed in Oslo(?).

Fishing trawler taken over by the Germans in Trondheim at the very beginning of the war. According to a post on my Ship Forum she was seized by the German destroyer Theodor Riedel.

One of my Norwegian sources says Albion was sunk near Brønnøysund by the Norwegian patrol vessels Heilhorn and Honningsvåg while she was on her way to the North of Norway with supplies to the German troops on May 19-1940. A message on my Ship Forum states she was shelled and sunk by a British destroyer on that date, northwest of Brønnøysund. Later salvaged and broken up.

Pre war history: Delivered on May 14-1888 from Laxevaag Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri, Bergen as Alden to Nordre Bergenhus Amts Dampskibe, Bergen. Iron hull, 163,6’ x 23,9’ x 12,4’, 433 gt, Tripple Expansion 94nhk 458ihk, 11 knots. Placed in the regularly scheduled Bergen-Sogn route, and was also used in the tourist traffic to Fjærland in the summertime, as well as in many of the company's other routes. On Jan. 25-1919 the owning company changed its name to Fylkesbaatane i Sogn & Fjordane, Bergen. Rebuilt and modernized in 1921. Rebuilt in 1932, the well behind the bridge covered.

Picture of Alden - From Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

WW II: When Norway was attacked on Apr. 9-1940 she was in Bergen. Requisitioned by Wehrmacht on Apr. 29 and used as accommodation vessel Germania for Hafenschutzflotille Molde. Damaged by fire in Langesund in 1944, interior destroyed, not in use after that.

POST WAR: Found in Langesund in May-1945, repaired at Fredrikstad Mek. Verksted, Fredrikstad, still fuelled by coal. Back in service in the summer of 1946. Ran aground near Brattholmen, Korssund in rain and fog in the middle of the night in Sept.-1949 when en route from Dalsfjorden, but refloated by herself and continued to Bergen, though damaged (foreship) and leaking - repaired. Very nearly sank in May-1954 at Nykirkekaien, Bergen when one of her bottom 'valves' suddenly failed. Subsequently mostly laid up, was the company's last coal fuelled vessel at the time. Sold in Jan-1957 to Brødrene Anda, Hundvåg, Stavanger for breaking up. Picked up by the tug Braut from Haugesund on Jan. 9, but in the strong northerly winds the towline was lost at Slettå off Haugesund, with the result that Alden drifted south sideways with no-one on board. A man from Braut eventually managed to get on board to fasten a new line, whereupon Alden was moored at the quay in Karmsundet and bailed (60-70 tons water because of improperly closed portholes) before continuing in tow to Hundvåg where they arrived on Jan. 11-1957. Temporarily renamed Anda, broken up in 1958.

(All details on this vessel received from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: "Fjordabåten" by Dag Bakka Jr. 1994, "Bergenske Fjordabåter", Dag Bakka Jr. for Bergens Tidende 1974 and "101 Fjordabåtar, FSF 1858-2000" by Magnus Helge Torvanger 2000).

Pre war history: Delivered from Christiansands Mek. Verksted, Kristiansand in 1893 as Alfen to D/S A/S Agder & Activ, Kristiansand. Steel hull, 83.8' x 17.5' x 9', 91 gt, 2cyl Compound 30nhk, 10 knots. Used in regularly scheduled service in the south of Norway. In 1900 the company's named changed to D/S A/S Agder, Kristiansand. Sold in Apr.-1934 to Dampskibsselskapet Sør-Askøy A/S, Strusshamn, Askøy, and used in the local Bergen-Kleppestø route, registered for 207 passengers. Modernized by A/S Mjellem & Karlsen, Bergen ca. 1936.

WW II: Rebuilt in 1940 and in service all through the war.

POST WAR: Company fused in 1950 into Rutelaget Askøy-Bergen A/S, Kleppestø. Extensively rebuilt in 1952, 123 gt. Motor installed, 2 tev Normo dm 250bhk. Delivered on March 28-1952 and re-entered same service. Sold in Apr.-1963 to Ole Onarheim, Stamneshella, probably for conversion to freighter, but this did not come to pass. Sold in the fall of 1963 to Ingvald Eriksen, Fredrikstad, in regularly scheduled service Fredrikstad-Strömstad every summer. Sold in 1971 to Båtutleie A/S (Alf Nepstad, Askøy). Laid up in Sarpsborg at some point in the 1970's, later at Aker Brygge, Oslo as a restaurant. Presently in use as storeship for a restaurant at Aker Brygge, with the boatdeck used in the summertime as a stage for misc. performances.

(All details on this vessel received from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: "Fjordabåten" by Dag Bakka Jr. 1994 and "Bergenske Fjordabåter", Dag Bakka Jr. for Bergens Tidende 1974).

Almora is listed in Convoy HN 8 from Norway to the U.K. in Jan.-1940. Early in March we find her in the U.K.-Norway Convoy ON 17A.

Taken over by the Germans in May-1940.

According to Jürgen Rohwer Almora was damaged on July 7-1940 by one of the mines laid by the French submarine Rubis (Cabanier) on May 10 that year. See also Argo further down on this page.

Torpedoed by aircraft from the carriers HMS Searcher and Furious on May 6-1944 and sunk at Hustadvika, Norway, on a voyage Narvik-Germany with pyrites. (Some sources say she struck a mine on that date).

"Minner og minnesmerker" by Øistein Wiik lists the following casualties (in alphabetical order):
Captain Rolf Borgen, Stoker Erling Hansen, Seaman Harald Wilhelm Marselius Jacobsen, Mate Marcus Ole Emanuel Jacobsen, Boatswain Reider Eugen Kristiansen, Donkeyman Annator Lie, Steward Kåre Parelius Pedersen, Stoker Bjarne Frank Sundberg.

Related external link:
Names of those who died - (1944) Sailors' Memorial Hall, Stavern. This website says that she was on fire and drifted ashore south of Kvitholmen.

Pre War history: Delivered in 1904 from A/S Moss Jernstøberi & Mek. Verksted, Moss (28) as Alpha to A/S Alpha, Moss. Steel hull, 120' x 22' x 10.6', 234 gt, Triple Expansion (A/S Moss J. & M.V.) 400 ihp, 10 knots, registered for 378 passengers and 90 tons cargo. In regularly scheduled service Oslo-Moss. Had been rebuilt 3 times by 1929. From March 22 that year she was used in the Moss-Horten route while the owner's Bastø II (later Beta) was being rebuilt, and in the meantime the company's Beta 2 (see Radøy) was placed in the route to Oslo. Alpha returned to the Moss-Oslo route on June 25-1929. Ran aground at some point in the early 1930's near Jeløy in fog, resulting in a big opening in the cargo hold, with water rising 8" in the hold before it stopped. The passengers took to the lifeboats. Towed into dock for repairs. From Jan. 27-1933 she was again placed in service Moss-Horten, while Bastø II was being further rebuilt. Svelvik was hired for the route to Oslo in the meantime. Alpha returned to the Moss-Oslo service on March 11-1933.

WW II: On hire to Den Konglige Norske Marine from Sept. 12-1939 (Bastø took over her service to Oslo) and used as neutrality watch near Oscarsborg fortress in Oslofjord. On Apr. 8-1940 she was at Drøbak, and at 01:00 the next morning she was ordered to Filtvedt to patrol the area together with Furu, both being in place by 02:00. At 03:38 the German invasion fleet was spotted, and Alpha reported the sighting to Oscarsborg fortress. The German cruiser Blücher was sunk by fire from the fortress not long afterwards (see also Kristiansand, Sørland and Halden 1). Alpha subsequently proceeded to Halvorshavn where she was abandoned. Seized there by the Kriegsmarine on Apr. 12-1940, returned to owner on July 26 that same year, but in bad state of repair and was laid up for sale. Sold in Sept.-1940 to A/S Graco (Hans Fr. Grann), Oslo "as-is", converted to freighter, 113' (lpp) x 22.1' x 10.1', 257 gt, 315 tdwt. Entered service as freighter Graco in 1940(?)

POST WAR: Sold in 1946 to D/S A/S Klar (Niels Magnus), Halden, renamed Grom. Rebuilt in 1947, 257 gt, 325 tdwt, a 12cyl 4tev Davey Paxman Ricardo 360bhp (1945) motor installed. Manager became Dag Sylou-Creutz, Halden in 1948. On Nov. 11-1948 Grom was on a voyage Rekefjord-Møre with cargo of ore when she was lost soutwest of Kvitsøy, no casualties.

(Info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about A/S Alpha by Knut H. Næss in Skipet 3.95, article about the fighting in Oslofjord Apr. 9-1940 by Frank Abelsen in Skipet 1.90, Dag Bakka Jr., Thor B. Melhus / Skipet and misc.).

Pre war history: Delivered in Febr.-1906 as Alten for Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskap, Trondheim. Departed Trondheim for her first voyage on Febr. 24-1906, put into service to Alten. Sold in July-1915 to Vestfinmarkens Dampskibsselskap, Hammerfest (keeping the same name). Sold in March-1916 to Finmarkens Amtsrederi, Hammerfest (same as Finnmarks Fylkesrederi, just an old fashioned way of saying it). Ran aground in Jan.-1918 when outward bound from Repparfjord near Stallogargo in Kvalsund, pulled off by Brynilen. In July-1920 she pulled the Hurtigruten vessel Finmarken off after having run aground at Loppa island, then in Sept. that year she towed the cargo vessel Fagerheim to port after having suffered engine problems. Collided on Febr. 27-1924 with Erling Jarl near Vadsø. Renamed Alta in 1926. Collided with the German trawler Bahrenfeld off Honningsvåg on Dec. 16-1938; the trawler sank, but with no loss of life.

WW II: In Oct.-1939 Alta transported soldiers from the Alta Batallion to Kirkenes. Took part in the demobilization in June-1940. Requisitioned by the Germans in July that year. Attacked by aircraft near Skallelv on May 8-1941. In service Hammerfest-Kirkenes from Jan.-1942 till Febr.-1944. Torpedoed while unloading cargo near Kiberg on Febr. 16-1943. Note: In another fleet list F. R. Hansen says this happened in Dec.-1942. According to a posting to my Ship Forum the attack took place on Febr. 16-1943, by the Soviet submarine M-119 (KpLt K.M.Kolosov) at 15:40 Russian time; but the torpedo missed the target. The Fleet List states that repairs were completed in Harstad in Oct. that year, and if this is correct she must have been damaged in some way. It further states that she was attacked by submarine off Omgang that same month. This is not mentioned in Rohwer's "Allied Submarine Attacks", but the same message on my forum states that on Oct. 26 at 17:08 Russian time the Soviet submarine S-101 reported attacking and sinking two trawler type patrol boats, each 800 t, at Sletnes (near Omgang), but no vessel was hit.

See the thread about Alta on my Ship Forum for more details.

Alta was requisitioned by the Germans for a voyage to Kirkenes in Oct.-1944.

POST WAR: Delivered from yard in Oct.-1945 and put into service Tromsø-Kirkenes. Ran aground at Molvikskjær near Makkaur on Sept. 30-1946, broke in two and sank.

(Source: "Nordenfjeldske - 1857-1985" fleet list, Finn R. Hansen)

Other ships by this name: This company later had another Alta, built in Brevik and delivered July-1950, 699 gt, 175 passengers, 150 tons cargo, in regularly scheduled service Mosjøen-Hammerfest. Hired out to Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskap in Oct.-1950 for Hurtigruten service, returned in Febr.-1952. Service Hammerfest-Nordkapp-Honningsvåg summertime 1952. Hired out to Det Bergenske DS in Oct.-1953, Hurtigruten service. Service Mosjøen-Hammerfest, and to Hamnbukt, Porsanger 1954. On hire to Vesteraalens DS, Stokmarknes 1958, Hurtigruten. Service Bodø-Hammerfest 1962. Sold in 1967 to Maritime Co-operative Shipping Ass., Ltd., Suva, Fiji. Converted at Kaarbøs Mek. Verksted, Harstad Apr.-1968, air-conditioning installed - renamed Tui Lai. Hit a reef near the Fiji Islands in Nov.-1968, total loss. Alta III was delivered in June-1969, 403 gt, cargo vessel, service Bodø-Hammerfest. Collided in Oct.-1970 with flock of reindeer in Vargsund. Engine trouble near Grøtnes, Nord Troms Nov. 4-1970, towed to Tromsø. Sold in Dec.-1982 to FFR Transport A/S, out of service and laid up for sale Apr.-1983. Sold Apr.-1984 to Ellon Hinengo Ltd., Calcutta, service to Nicobarene Islands, Indian Ocean, renamed John Richardson, same service and owners in 1994. Observed at Port Blair, Andaman Islands in Apr.-1998. (Finnmark Fylkesrederi og Ruteselskap fleet list, Finn R. Hansen).

My page D/S Alversund has more information on this ship, as well as a post war picture.

M/T America

Built by Deutsche Werft A/G, Hamburg, originally ordered for The Texas Company (Norway) A/S, Oslo. This company was controlled by The Texas Co., US, and its ships managed by Haakon Chr. Mathiesen, Oslo. Transferred in Apr.-1940 to Texas Co., Wilmington, Delaware. Launched June 14-1941 for Texaco Panama Inc., Panama, laid up unfinished. Seized by the Kriegsmarine in Dec.-1941(?). Named Texaco 1943? Sailed as Schiff X from Apr.-1945? Attacked (and sunk?) by allied air attack in Hamburg on Apr. 30-1945.

The above info may not be 100% correct - please see this Guestbook message for corrections and/or more details.

Picture of America - Received from Asbjørn Olsen Kårvik (from his father's photoalbum).

POST WAR: Renamed America Oct. 1-1946 for The Texas Steamship Co. Inc., Wilmington, transferred in Nov. that year to The Texas Company (Norway) A/S, Oslo. Renamed Mofjell in 1958 for I/S Mofjell (Torvald Klaveness ), Oslo, then Seven Suns for Seven Shipping Co., Panama in 1965, having been converted to bulk carrier in Horten, Norway in 1960. Renamed Bulk Transport for Timber Shipping Co., Panama in 1966. Sold for breaking up in 1969.

Other ships by this name: Wilh, Wilhelmsen had a steamship named America in WW I, built in Arendal 1914, 3706 gt - torpedoed and sunk by the German U-41 east of Aberdeen on May 2-1915, when on a voyage from Boston and Sunderland to Bergen with general cargo. This ship had been ordered for Norge Mexico Gulf Linien, which was later acquired by Wilh. Wilhelmsen. They also had another America, built in Oslo in 1921. Sold to A. E. Aaby, later E. B. Aaby's Rederi A/S, Oslo and renamed Tento. Back in the late 1800's Wilhelmsen also had an Amerika, originally built as German Admiral Brammy. Another ship by this name had been delivered to an unknown owner back in 1874, 849 gt. Had several different owners in Norway, renamed Minde in 1914. Ran aground in Nov.-1916, voyage Kragerø-West Hartlepool.

Sister ship of Senja.

Cargo service Oslo – Kirkenes.

WW II: From the fall of 1941 in service between Oslo and Havnnes, Lyngen. Attacked by aircraft in Lyngenfjorden on Apr. 2-1944, 2 were killed, namely Carpenter Johan Brynjulfsen, Nyksund in Vesterålen and Deck Boy Magne Lyngra, Åsebakken in Dvergberg. Andenes was heavily damaged but stayed afloat, and after temporary repairs she was towed to Tromsø, later to Oslo, where she was laid up in Bundefjorden.

POST WAR: Repaired and placed in cargo service Oslo-Kirkenes in the spring of 1946. From the fall of 1948 Andenes (and some other vessels from VDS) were placed in service abroad, mostly between ports in North Africa and Morocco. (The company had ships in service abroad until 1952, Hestmanden among them [Baltic and north of France]. Not sure how long Andenes was in this service). She was later back in cargo service Oslo-Kirkenes until 1964, at which time she was sold to Chr. M. Sarlis & Co, Patras, Greece and renamed Pelops. Sold in 1972 to Panagiotis Daglas, Ioannis Daglas, Dimitrios Kolyras, Eleftherios Daglas & Theodoros Soukas, Piraeus, Greece and renamed Faneromeni. Renamed Panagia in 1974, home port Patras, Greece. Deleted from Lloyd's register in 1998.

(Info received from Jan Heggås, Norway - His sources: "På Nordnorsk kjøl - Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab gjennom 75 år", Reidar Stavseth, published by VDS 1956, and info received from Per Alsaker, Bergen).

Related External Link:
1 of the casualties - Only Johan Brynjulfsen is commemorated at this memorial for seamen in Stavern, Norway.

Bombed and sunk by aircraft from a British warship in Lofoten on March 4-1941. (OR was she scuttled by demolition charges by British troops?)

Pre war history: Delivered in 1907 from Werft Hubertina, Haarlem, Holland as passenger vessel and tug Svendborgsund to Det Sydfynske Dampskibsselskab, Svendborg, Danmark. Steel hull, 91.5’ x 16.9’ x 9’, 118 gt, 2cyl Compound 18nhp, registered for 201 passengers. Sold in July-1919 to Nils Hovden & Gustav Alexander, Oslo, renamed Angelo. Hired out to Asker, Røken & Hurum Dampskibsselskab, Oslo for regularly scheduled service in inner Oslofjord. In the spring of 1922 she was on hire(?) to Judge Mjeidell, Haslum near Nesodden for regularly scheduled service Oslo-Bunnefjorden. Competition was tough and she was often inactive due to ice in Bunnefjorden, which redused the profits from the route. Sold in Oct.-1922 to A/S Nesodden-Frogn-Nordby Dampskibsselskap, Oslo, continued in the same service. In Nov.-1924 the owning company fused with its competitor A/S Bundefjord-Helvig Dampskibsselskab, Oslo, the company becoming A/S Bundefjord Dampskipsselskap, Oslo - remained in the same service.

WW II: In Febr.-1941 the owning company fused with A/S Nesodden-Bundefjord Dampskipsselskap, Oslo. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in March-1942.

POST WAR: Returned in May-1945. Laid up in 1947. Sold in 1950 to Simon Innvær, Urangsvåg, Bømlo, converted to freighter at Thaules Mek. Verksted, Avaldsnes, Karmøy, 95.1’ x 16.9’ x 8.1’, 99 gt, 140 tdwt, motor of unknown type installed. Sold in 1951 (before delivery) to P/r Halvard, Thorbjørn & Bjarne Koløy, Sæbøvik, Halsnøy, renamed Koløyholm. Delivered that same year(?) and used in coastal service. Sold in 1954 to Ola H. Økland, Auklandshamn, Sveio, renamed Høievarde - cargo service Stavanger-Haugesund-Bergen. In 1955 a 2tev Union 100bhp motor was installed. Sold in the spring of 1966 to P/r Selmer, Kjell & Sigurd Simonsen Totland, Mosterhamn, Bømlo, renamed S. K. S. Sold in 1969 to Kjell Bærøy & John Rydningen, Finnås, Bømlo, in local sand trade. Owned in 1974 by Kjell & Arvid Bærøy, Finnås, local sand trade. At some point in the 1970's a 4tev Caterpillar dm 245bhp motor was installed. Owned in 1977 by P/r Bærøy (Kjell Bærøy), Finnås, local sand trade. From Dec.-1983 owned by Bærøy Sandtransport A/S (Endre Bærøy), Finnås, later laid up at Finnås, falling into a bad state of repair. Sold in 1995 to Ole Iglebæk Rasmussen, Bergen, inactive, laid up in Damsgårdsundet, Bergen. Moved in the fall of 1995 to Hegreneset, Bergen. In the winter of 1996/'97 she was laid up in Damsgårdsundet together with owner's other freighter Planet.

(This info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about A/S Nesodden-Bundefjord D/S by Harald Lorentzen in Skipet 3.90 and misc.).

Pre war history: Delivered in Apr.-1905 as Nordamerika for D/S Norden, Copenhagen until 1935, named Anana (Faroe Islands) until 1937. This ship sailed under the Panamanian flag for Anglo Steamship Corp., Panama (Valdemar Skogland) from Apr.-1937.

WW II: Seized by the Germans in Bergen on April 9-1940 (the date of the invasion of Norway) then taken to Germany as prize in June. Transferred to a German company in May-1941 and renamed Seefahrer? Struck a mine on April 18-1945 (1942?) and sank northwest of Juist.

NOTE: I've come across some conflicting info with regard to the name given to this ship when under the German flag - the name Nordsee being the other possibility. If anyone can clarify this I'd appreciate being notified. I posted a query on my ship forum, and one of the replies indicates Anglo was seized in Bergen when on a voyage from Halden to Rouen on Apr. 9-1940, then ordered to Germany on the 9th of June, but she didn't leave until the 21st, when she departed Larvik for Hamburg. On July 1 she was formally declared as prize (still in Hamburg) and it looks like she went to Leth & Co., Hamburg (the post is in German, and I don't quite understand everything). Then, as I understand it, she was freed that same month and returned to Valdemar Skogland in August, but declared a prize again in December that year (through the courts in Hamburg). In May the following year she came under the Shipping company Krepp (Gerd Uwe Detlefsen) in Emden, transferred to Bremen for repairs on June 1-1941 and put into service as Seefahrer on Aug. 14 that same year.

Charles Hocking lists her as Seefahrer belonging to the German Government, ex Norwegian Anglo, stating she struck a mine and sank on Apr. 18-1942 (note year).

Leif M. Bjørkelund ("Sjøfolk i krig") states Anglo was on a voyage from Finland to France with props, adding that about 60 foreign ships were in Bergen harbour at the time of the invasion, most of which were meant to leave in convoy for Methil the next day. The German cruiser Königsberg was sunk right in front of Anglo during the British air attack that took place on the harbour early in the morning of the 10th (800th and 803rd squadron, based on the Orkneys, Captain R. T. Partridge and Leutenant W. P. Lucy), the bombs barely missing Anglo. Königsberg (Ruhfuss) was raised during the war and laid up near Askøy. After the war the wreck was towed to Stavanger and broken up.

Other ships named Anglo: Haugesund had a ship named Anglo in 1974, built as Recto in 1967 for E. H. Kongshavn, Haugesund. Sold to Oslo in 1971 and renamed Janja, back to Haugesund in 1974 as Anglo. Sold in 1981 and renamed Jaohar of Cyprus, then Syrian Rafik-J from 1990. There was also another Anglo, originally delivered to Bachke & Co., Trondheim as Enid III in Dec. 1972, built in Gdansk, 1999 gt. Panamanian Rommy in 1977, Eggli 1983, Sommy 1983, Romeo 1987, Steinfalk 1988 - back to Norway in Nov.-1989 and renamed Anglo for K/S A/S Arunto, Storesund Rederi, Haugesund. Still in service 1995, 2009 gt. (This info from Bachke & Co. fleet list, Finn R. Hansen).

Pre war history: 2 masted schooner constructed by Jan Birkeland. When new she transported ice from Namsen to England, and picked up grain and other goods for her return trips. From 1868 till 1872 she was Anna of Bergen for Albert M. Pedersen and Johannes Børsheim. Sold to Isak Rogde in 1872 and renamed Anna Rogde. In the fish trade in 1873, had some voyages to Spain and Portugal, Archangel and Murmansk but mostly in the Baltic and North Sea. (Owned by the Rogde family until 1976). A 1 cylinder Bolinder 40 HP motor was installed in 1919.

WW II: During the war she was in continuous service on the Norwegian coast, carrying lumber (she still exists today, the world's oldest schooner).

POST WAR: In service Namsos-Mo i Rana during her last active years as a freighter. Owned by Per & William Rogde in 1972 and was laid up that year after having been in service for 104 years, owned by 3 generations of the Rogde family. Purchased by Magne Indahl and Aage Indahl in 1976 and extensively repaired at E. M. Hansens Slip og Båtbyggeri, Grovfjord, and a Caterpillar type D. 342 T 240 HP motor installed, completed June 8-1978. On her first voyage from Grovfjord she ran aground near Holsflua in Tjelsund due to a navigational error, but got lose and was able to continue south, though a leak had developed and she had to be occasionally "bailed". When she arrived Rørvik 3 days after departure Grovfjord she went to Abelvær Slip og Mek. Verksted A/S for repairs. Still leaking on departure Abelvær and again put in for repairs at Nyland Mek. Verksted on arrival Oslo June 21. Moved to Tønsberg in Nov./Dec.-1978 for new rigging by Ben Brynhildsen, completed Apr. 1-1979. Later extensively restored.

Related external link:
Anna Rogde - Some history of this ship, technical details and several pictures (click on "bilder"). Text is in Norwegian, but there's a downloadable document in English about her history.

Pre war history: Delivered in June-1919 from Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Newcastle, UK as cargo vessel War Cove to The Shipping Controller, London. Steel hull, 331’ x 46.8’ x 23.1’, 3100 gt, 5150 tdwt, Triple Expansion (North East Mar. Engine, Newcastle). Purchased by D/S A/S Theologos (N. Røgenæs), Haugesund in 1919 and renamed Anna Sofie. Departed Genoa on Jan. 15-1921 for Haugesund in ballast in order to be laid up. From June-1924 in lumber trade from Archangel (probably until Dec.-1924). Shipowner moved to Copenahagen for health reasons (1927: A/S Theologos, Haugesund - Nils Røgenes, Copenhagen, Denmark). As per Oct.-1931 the ship was laid up in Haugesjøen in Haugesund (still there in Dec.-1932). 1933: A/S Theologos - Nils Røgenes, Haugesund. On Aug. 12-1934 Anna Sofie was on her way out from Amsterdam when she collided with an unknown Ducth motor vessel, the latter ship having lost control over its steering. Anna Sofie received minor damages, repaired in Haugesund. Made a voyage New York-West Hartlepool with scrap iron in June-1935. From July-1935 in lumber trade from Archangel (probably until Dec.-1935). 1936: A/S Theologos - Nils Røgenes jr., Haugesund.

Picture of Anna Sofie - From Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

WW II: Ended up in the Homefleet, Apr.-1940. Captain was Gunnar Egge, Tysvær who had commanded Sydfold until the latter was lost on Jan. 22-1940, then joined Anna Sofie. Badly damaged by British bombers on July 5-1940, while loading pyrites at Sagvåg, Stord. This cargo was intended for Germany, a voyage neither the captain nor Pilot Henriksen, Haugesund were much interested in undertaking, but had to comply under threat of punishment. Captain Egge had his wife with him, so that they could spend some time together before departure to Germany. 7 died in this attack, namely Gunnar Egge and his wife Elsebeth Egge, Carpenter Olav P. Ljostveit, Ordinary Seaman John Drange, Deck Boy Thor Strømmen, Steward Knud Olaus Johnsen and Steward Ole Aasbø. The captain and his wife were buried near Tysvær church in Tysværvåg, and after the war a memorial stone was raised for them. Anna Sofie remained afloat in spite of damages amidships and was towed to Haugesund Mek. Verksted A/S, Haugesund and placed in Risøyvågen near the yard. Her cargo was attempted transferred to another vessel, made difficult by another allied aircraft attack. On Sept. 3-1940 she was still at the yard for repairs when bombed and sunk alongside the quay (the freighter Valo was damaged in the same allied attack). Raised, towed to Rosenberg Mek. Verksted, Stavanger, repaired and re-entered service with a new captain by the last name of Holm from Bergen.

On Febr. 23-1944 she was in the southbound (German) convoy Be-146-St, together with Bergenske's Lynx, Columba (?), the German cargo vessels Taube, Ludolf Oldendorf, and Homberg, escorted by M-446 and M-407 (from the Kriegsmarine's 30th M-Flotille). The German Amisia also appears to have joined the convoy, or was sailing nearby. Shortly after having passed Osnesgavlen, Karmøy near the Karmsundet inlet, Anna Sofie's steering failed. The current, coupled with her speed caused her to run aground at Trollholmen near Vibrandsøy off Haugesund. The pilot immediately went ashore in order to get assistance. Half of her complement also went ashore at Trollholmen, and at the same time the lifeboats were launched. About an hour after Anna Sofie had run aground, and while the remaining crew were about to take to the lifeboats, the water was reaching the engine room, the boilers exploded, she started to list and was sinking rapidly, so that those who were still on board had to jump overboard, but were all saved with no injuries. Later, there were rumours that the steering had failed due to sabotage. (One source says she was on a voyage Kirkenes-Emden with iron ore at the time).

(Misc. sources incl. "Våre gamle skip" by Leif M. Bjørkelund and E. H. Kongshavn, and info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about Nils Røgenæs Rederi by Jahn Breivik in Skipet 1-2.94, article about the attack on Anna Sofie by Leif M. Bjørkelund in Skipet 1-2.94, "Skipsforlis gjennom tidene", Erik Bakkevig 2003, as well as Urs Hessling and Erling Skjold via a thread on my Ship Forum).

Related external links:
More on those who died - July 1940 - The Norwegian text reads: "On July 5-1940 Anna Sofie was attacked by British aircraft at Sagvåg harbour, Hordaland. 6 died". The captain's wife is not included in the commemorations at this memorial for seamen in Stavern, Norway.

More on this ship - includes picture (a website for divers).

An earlier Anna Sofie: This company also lost a ship by the name Anna Sofie to WW I. Delivered in May-1896 as Veva for G. Pyman & Co., W. Hartlepool, 2577 gt. Sailed as S. Anargyros of Piræus from 1902, Theologos for Coutzis Bros. Piræus from 1912. Purchased on Sept.-1915 by D/S A/S Theologos (N. Røgenæs), Haugesund and renamed Anna Sofie. Requisitioned in 1917 by The Shipping Controller, London. Torpedoed and sunk on July 23-1918 by U-55, 4 n. miles west of Trevose Head, 1 died. ("Våre gamle skip").

Pre war history: Launched in Sept.-1892, delivered from Wood, Skinner & Co., Newcastle, UK (40) as cargo vessel Cairnmore to Cairn Line S. S. Co. Ltd. (Cairns, Young & Noble), Newcastle. Steel hull, 1598 gt, 967 net, 2450 tdwt, 250.5' x 36.1' x 16.8', Triple exp. (Black, Hawthorn & Co. Gateshead), 156 nhp. Sold in 1913 to A/S Nord (O. M. Milberg & Co.), Oslo and renamed Nord. Sold in 1915 to A/S D/S Nord (K. K. Nordgreen), Bergen. Sold same year to Schelderup & Schjøtt e.a., Bergen. Sold in 1916 to A/S Nord (H. H. Holta), Skien, from 1917 O. & H. Holta, Skien. Sold in March-1922 to Rederi-A/B Atos (Oscar Börjesson), Helsingborg, Sweden. Sold in 1927 to Rederi-A/B Regulus (Johan H. Pettersson), Helsingborg, then owned in 1933 by Rederi-A/B Progress (Johan H. Pettersson), Helsingborg. Sold in Jan.-1937 to Laevaühing "Arcturus" (Jacob Rang, Tallinn), Estonia (call sign ESRV), renamed Arcturus and placed in North Sea service. By 1937 she was 1682 gt.

WW II: When Norway was invaded on Apr. 9-1940 she was in Bergen loading lumber for Liverpool, but was not permitted by the port authorities to leave the harbour. The following day she was seized (incl. cargo) by German authorities (Kommandanten der Seeverteidigung Bergen) and allocated to Hafenkommandanten Haugesund, and with her cargo still on board she was used as "Sperrbrecher" for Hafenschutz Haugesund, possibly as Sperrbrecher Bergen? in Bergen, though proved unfit for this service and taken out of duty on Jan. 25-1941. In the spring of 1941, resulting from a Germany/Russia agreement her cargo was unloaded and she was handed over to Russian authorities while in Bergen harbour. On June 22-1941, when war broke out between Russia and Germany, she was still in Bergen with no crew. The following month, on July 4 she was declared a German prize again and on July 11 she was allocated to KMD Oslo (Kriegsmarine Oslo) by Reichkommissar des Prisenhofs Hamburg for use as supply vessel. In Nov. that year she entered service for the Germans as Arcturus, transporting supplies between various Norwegian ports. Managed by the German controlled Westergaard & Co., Oslo (from Nov.-1941 or from Jan 28-1943?). At that time she was 1632 gt.

On Nov. 22-1943 she was on a voyage from Oslo to the north of Norway with potatoes and general when she was bombed by Beaufighter aircraft from 144th and 404th squadron on Stadthavet. She received several direct hits and was set on fire. The captain and 3 AA gunners were killed by shelling from the aircraft. Arcturus was taken in tow towards Ålesund by Vp Blitz and the tug Furu, but was hit in Hold 3 and 4 by 2 torpedoes from the Norwegian submarine Ula (Valvatne) southwest of Ålesund. Arcturus sank in 20 seconds and 4 engine crew died, having been unable to get out.

(Misc. sources, incl info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - and Theodor Dorgeist's and Erling Skjold's postings in a thread on my Ship Forum.

Related external links:
Those who died - Note that there are 14 names in total here. This casualty list appears to be a combination of those who died on the 1277 gt Arcturus (Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab) which is listed in the other section of my ship lists, and those who lost their lives on the Arcturus listed on this page (though the numbers don't quite add up). The names of the 9 men who lost their lives on the other Arcturus can be found under the link to that ship, and that leaves us with the following casualties for Westergaard's Arcturus: Captain Johan Fredrik Lampe, Chief Engineer Håkon Adolf Andersen, Stoker Thorleif Marinius Andresen, Donkeyman Olav Georg Jørgensen, and Knut Alfred Nilsen (5 in all).

The Norwegian subs Ula & Uredd

Misc.:
There's quite a bit of confusion surrounding this name, because there were a few other ships named Arcturus and the various sources have a tendency to get them mixed up:

The "Stavern Memorial for Seamen" website that I've linked to above says she was built in 1897, and was 1650 gt. (It adds she had an all Norwegian crew).

Jürgen Rohwer gives the position for Ula's attack as 62 14N 05 14E, and calls her German. (Rohwer also mentions another German Arcturus, 2596 gt, torpedoed and sunk by the British submarine Upholder [Wanklyn] on May 1-1941, 2 miles south of Kerkennah. Charles Hocking says this ship was built in 1937, sunk by a mine or torpedo on this date, 2 miles east of the Kerkenna Islands, Tunisia).

Charles Hocking claims Arcturus was bombed and sunk by the British aircraft, and does not mention the Norwegian sub coming into the picture later. (He otherwise agrees with year built and tonnage, but says 5 died).

Rainer Kolbicz (Uboat.net) says: "The Gröner of 1940 lists the following ships by the name Arcturus: The American, French, Finnish (all mentioned below), German and Estonian Arcturus (built 1892, 1681grt). Gröner also lists a Norwegian D/S Arcturus built in 1897 with 204 tons. Used by the Kriegsmarine in 1941 and renamed Sperrbrecher Bergen. Lost off Aalesund Nov.-1943". (The tonnage here is definitely wrong - too small for lumber trading in the North Sea).

Other ships by this name:
France and the US both had ships by this name, built in 1914 and 1920 respectively. I've even come across a Finnish Arcturus (external link). Hocking lists an American Arcturus, built 1906, 6490 gt, purchased by Luria Bros. of New York for re-sale to Norwegian shipbreakers. She sailed from Quebec to Oslo in tow with a cargo of scrap iron, but broke away on Jan. 11-1962 and sank in 46 10N 08 50W.

Bergenske Dampskibsselskab also had an Arcturus after the war, delivered in Dec.-1947. Sold in Febr.-1958 to Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskap and renamed Atle Jarl. Broken up in 1980.

Pre war history: Delivered in Febr.-1898 as Argo to Ths. S. Falck, Stavanger. Purchased from Christiania (owner not listed) in 1919 by A/S Argo (Carl Fiskaaen), Haugesund. Sold in 1924 to Halvor Kongshavn, Haugesund who in turn sold her to Bergen in 1928. Back to Haugesund in 1929 when she was sold to Sjur & Johs. Lothe, Haugesund, then taken over by Carl M. Fiskaaen in 1932.

WW II: "Våre gamle skip" states she struck a mine on July 28-1940 off Egersund, when on a voyage to Altona with a cargo of herring, and that 2 died. "Senkninger og forlis" by Øistein Thomas Berge agrees she was on a voyage to Altona, Hamburg (having started out on the west coast of Norway) when she was fired upon just after 3 in the morning by a British aircraft near Førde, north of Haugesund, but gives the date as July 26-1940. 1 man was killed and the captain injured. The crew went in a lifeboat, but went back on board half an hour later, then continued the journey (it appears she went to Haugesund first). Departed Haugesund that same morning and headed for Hamburg, but struck a mine near Svåholmen late that afternoon. She had a complement of 8, 1 of whom was missing and 3 injured. The area was swept 2 days later. Kem and Vansø sank in the same minefield, laid by the French submarine Rubis (Cabanier) on May 10-1940.

NOTE: Jürgen Rohwer also gives the date July 28.

(Main source: "Våre gamle skip", Leif M. Bjørkelund and E. H. Kongshavn).

Related external link:
Those who died - Norwegian text says: Sank July 28-1940 after an explosion 2 n. miles south of Skarvøy light off Jæren on a voyage from Bergen via Haugesund to Hamburg. 11 died. The captain, Sigvart A. Svendsbøe is listed among the casualties here.

Other ships named Argo: There was also a Finnish (possibly 2) and 2 Greek ships by this name. One of the Greek ones was the former Norwegian steamer San José, the other was the former Norwegian tanker Solna (both can be found on my S-list, incl. their fates). The Finnish Argo, built 1898, was torpedoed and sunk on June 16-1942 between Bogskar and Uto with the loss of 9 crew.

I have also come across a D/S Argo, built 1942, 453 gt, managed by Valdemar Skogland A/S. This could possibly be the one mentioned by Charles Hocking (My sources); who says she struck a mine and sank on Jan. 27-1948, in the Kvarner Channel (in the Adriatic), though he lists the tonnage as 507 gt and says she was a motor vessel. 1 survivor out of a crew of 12. Valdemar Skogland, Haugesund also had a ship named Argo in the 1960's, 5215 gt. This ship was originally contracted for Skips-A/S Kirkøy, Oslo in 1938, but transferred to Gunnar Carlsson, Gothenburg and delivered in 1941 as Mongabarra (the Tees-Ships website has some pictures of this ship). In 1945 she was renamed Vesterøy for Skips-A/S Kirkøy (Olaf Ditlev-Simonsen Jr.), Oslo, then renamed Argo for D/S A/S Anglo (Valdemar Skogland) in the spring of 1963. In 1970 she was sold to Torremar Shipping Ltd., Famagusta (G. N. Pinitoros, Piræus), no name change. Broken up in Burriana in 1974.

Additionally, H. M. Wrangell had a D/S Argo in WW I, built in Bergen and delivered as Argo in Dec.-1883 for S. M. Kuhnle, Bergen, 1261 gt. Purchased by H. M. Wrangell in 1899. Struck a mine and sank on Jan. 28-1917 (mine laid by UC 26 the day before), 1,5 n. miles southeast of Inner Dowsing lightship on a voyage Hull-Rouen with a cargo of coal. 9 died.

Struck a mine and sank near Steinestø on Aug. 26-1940 on a voyage Vaksdal-North Norway with cargo of flour. According to J. Rohwer, the mine had been laid by the British submarine Narwhal (Burch) on June 12, however, a posting to my Ship Forum states it was a German mine barrage (the Narwhal mines having been swept long before Aug.-1940). Erling Skjold, who posted this message, adds that the captain had asked for sailing advice, but language problems ended up in the fatal misunderstanding, and she sailed into the barrage. She was blown into 2 parts, and the bow section sank (chrushed by the blast). The aft section with the engine room and super structure was towed into Steinestø (further fate unknown). The entire crew survived.

Rohwer has this vessel as a steam trawler. See also my text under Jaederen, Øyulf and M/S Blaamannen.

I've received an E-mail from Thomas Weis, stating the following:
quote: Erling says, Narwhal barrage was swept "long before August". I'm not sure about that.
1) I dont believe that Narwhal placed all its mines at one point, ist surely a minefield perhaps with 25 mines. Watch the first barrage from Narwhal on 3rd June 1940.
2) There's never any assurance that all mines were swept
3) Following Rohwer, 3 motor minesweepers were sunk on the barrage on 13 October 1940. These were 3 APM left as last victims of Narwhal's minebarrage:
Gnom 7 (not listed in Gröner/Jung/Maass Vol.VIII) was probably a required Norwegean motor fishery vessel, ca 50 BRT (like Gnom 8 [H-15-FS = Erling I], Gnom 1 [H-49-F = Bjoröy 1], Gnom 3 [H-50-F = Norig] and so on).
Kobold 1
Kobold 3.
Kobold 1 and 3 are not listed in Gröner/Jung/Maass, too. I suppose they were Norwegean fishery boats, as well). unquote

Related external link:
2 who died - Messboy Harry Klock and Captain Arne Erik Wichne Meyer are commemorated (the text itself states that 1 person died). The Norwegian text reads: "A fire occurred in her engine room as a result of a powerful explosion due to sabotage while she was at Nylands Verksted in Oslo. 1 man was killed. Later, on Sept 27-1943 she was attacked by aircraft while anchored at Borkum".

NOTE: There must be a mix up here (with regard to the date for the aircraft attack). According to "Hjemmeflåten - Mellom venn og fiende", Lauritz Pettersen (1992), the sabotage was carried out on Nov. 24-1944, by a communist group named "Pelle" which had been able to smuggle explosives into the area with the help of workers at the yard. As far as I can tell Arna sank (raised, and reentered service after the war). D/S Kaprino was also put out of service because of this explosion. On the same day, sabotage was also carried out at Aker Verksted, see Austanger further down on this page.

Here's a picture of Arna - From Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

POST WAR: Raised and back in service.

Pre war history: Delivered in Apr.-1921, sister ship of Atle Jarl (II). Placed in coastal, Baltic and North Sea service, then in 1928 she was put into the service to Hamburg. Ran aground near Stavenes in Oct. 1929 - see this external page.

Picture of Arnfinn Jarl - From Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

WW II: Bombed and sunk by British aircraft near Egersund on Dec. 27-1940, later raised, repaired at Fredrikstad Mekaniske Verksted, where she was built. Completed and returned to service in Aug.-1943 - new tonnage 1205 gt.

POST WAR: Had 2 trips to the White Sea in 1951. In 1952 she was in coastal service, and also had 1 trip to the White Sea. Partly laid up and partly in service in 1953. Sold on Dec. 1-1954 to Kristian E. Samuelsen, Oslo, and renamed Biston. Sold to Swedish breakers Skrot- och Avfallsprodukter (Torsten Johannisson), Gothenburg in March 1964, converted to barge and given the name Boston. Name changed to Granita in 1966 ('67?), then to N.M.V. 2 in 1972.

(Source: Nordenfjeldske D/S' fleet list, Finn R. Hansen).

Nordenfjeldske had also had a ship by this name in WW I, built in Trondheim in 1913, 1097 gt. Torpedoed by U-19 near Holmengrå light on May 20-1917, when in a British convoy from Narvik to Tyne with props. The crew was rescued by HMS Sylvia and taken to Lerwick.

Built Kristiansand 1893.

Pe war history: Delivered in May-1893 from Kristiansands Mek. Verksted, Kristiansand (65) as Asker to Dampskibs-AS Asker (Theodor Mortensen), Oslo. Steel hull, 99' x 17.2' x 9.4', 131 gt., 2cyl Compound (KMV) 39 nhp, 290 ihp. Registered for 234 passengers, small cargo hold. Used year round in regularly scheduled service Oslo-Vollen-Slemmestad-Nærsnes. In 1902 the owning company changed its name to Dampskibs-AS Asker, Røken & Hurum (Theodor Mortensen), Oslo, same service. Rebuilt in 1908, 119 gt.

WW II: Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine on Oct. 28-1941, used mostly around Oscarsborg fortress (together with Skjærhalden, another requisitioned vessel).

POST WAR: Returned to owners in Apr.-1945, extensively repaired and rebuilt. In 1947 the owning company had financial difficulties and attempted to sell Asker, but without result. Classified as barge in 1951. Sold that year to British Iron & Steel Corp. (BISCO), Newcastle, en-bloc with the company's Duen II, for breaking up. The intention was for Duen II to tow Asker across the North Sea, but this was stopped by the Shipping Controller at Tønsberg and the sale was annulled. On July 16-1952 her owners went bankrupt and the ships (Asker, Louise 2, Hval and Sport) were taken over by Sørensen & Lie Kullkompani, Oslo as creditors. Sold that same month to Brødrene Anda, Hundvåg in Stavanger for breaking up, converted to barge Odin. Broken up by owner in May-1973.

(Info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about Asker, Røken & Hurum in "Skipet" 3.92 by Pål Ulsteen, and misc.).

Pre war history: Delivered from Christiansands Mek. Verksted, Kristiansand in Oct.-1912 as Askøy to Askøy Dampskibsselskab, Askøy (Bergen). Steel hull, 89.8’ x 18.3’ x 11.5’, 135 gt, 2cyl Compound (Christiansands M.V.) 27nhk 9 knots, registered for 240 passengers. In regularly scheduled service Bergen-Askøy (Erdal-Strømsnes-Hop-Ask, and later to Kyrkjevik-Brevik-Sæterstøl).

WW II: Requisitioned by the Germans in May-1941 and used as transport during the building of airport etc. at Herdla, then sent to Trondheim with German crew.

Old postcard showing Askøy in Bergen - from Bjørn Milde's postcard collection.

POST WAR: Returned to owner in the summer of 1945 and went to Storemøllens Patentslip, Bergen for repairs and refurbishment. Re-entered service on Oct. 20-1945. Renamed Årdalsfjord in 1951, Hopshavn in Febr.-1953. Sold in Apr.-1953 to Georg Normann, Florø. Drifted ashore in the spring of 1959 and sank while laid up at Florø.

(All details on this vessel from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: "Fjordabåten" by Dag Bakka Jr. 1994 and "Bergenske Fjordabåter" Dag Bakka Jr. for Bergens Tidende 1974).

Pre war history: Delivered in June-1934 from Gravdal Skibsbyggeri, Sunde in Sunnhordland as Askøy I to Arne Aske, Askje. Wooden hull, 59.1’ x 17.9’ x 7.8’, 46 gt. 2cyl 2tev Union 120bhp, 8 knots. On June 24 she was placed in regularly scheduled service Voll (Mosterøy)-Vikevåg-Dale (Rennesøy)-Askje-Vestre Åmøy-Sokn-Bru-Stavanger, with Arne Aske himself as skipper. Askøy I carried milk and cheese from the dairy at Rennesøy to Stavanger, and was popular among the passengers. She was in competition with Stavangerske D/S's route that Øybuen usually served and the 2 vessels were often in a race.

WW II: Sold in 1941 to Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab, Stavanger, including the route. Arne Aske now became the mate, and later served as captain for this company (on Fjorddrott among others). Still sailed in much the same route, alternating with Øybuen. On Dec. 5-1941 she was placed in the Stavanger-Kvitsøy run, (Halvard Løvvig captain). After the loss of Vindafjord on Nov. 28 that year, the Kvitsøy route was run by leased vessels (Galei and Ørnen among them). In the winter of 1944/1945 the company's Øybuen took over this service while Askøy I was laid up near Askje due to shortage of fuel.

POST WAR: Back in the Rennesøy run in 1945, later also Stavanger-Steinnesvåg and to Vatlandsvåg, as well as Jelsa-Sauda, to Sjernarøy and in the Stavanger-Jørpeland-Tau route. On Oct. 1-1948 she was taken out of the winter service and was only used during the summertime; otherwise laid up, then in the summer of 1957 she was taken out of service altogether and laid up for a couple of years. In the summer of 1959 she was again placed in service to Rennesøy and Stavanger-Jørpeland-Tau. In 1960 she went to Rennesøy once a week, with once a week runs in the "vegetable" run Finnøy-Stavanger, and once a week Stavanger-Jørpeland-Tau. Taken out of service in the winter of 1960/1961 and used as transport at the company's yard at Klaseskjæret in Stavanger. Sold on Jan. 5-1968 to Sverre Jørstad, Stavanger. Partly de-rigged. Sold in 1968 to A/S Sandsuging (Ferdinand Pedersen), Haugesund. Fitted with cabins and used as accommodation vessel in connection with the owner's business. Given away in 1970 to unknown owner. Condemned in 1971. Sunk south of Krossnes in Korsfjord in the fall of 1977. Deleted from Norwegian register on Oct. 17-1977.

(Info from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: "Fjordabådane" by Magnus Torgersen 1981 and article about DSD by Alf Johan Kristiansen in the Norwegian magazine Skipet 2.90 and 1.91).

See M/S Atløy for more information.

Pre war history: Completed in Nov.-1930 by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co, Newcastle upon Tyne for Skibs-A/S Varild (manager Alf Jakhelln), as Attila

WW II: Seized by the Germans 1940 and renamed Saarburg for the Kriegsmarine. Used as supply-tanker in the Kriegsmarine yard in Wilhelmshaven.

In 1942 the managing firm of Alf Jakelln A/S was purchased by Fearnley & Eger together with Skibs-A/S Varild and Skibs-A/S La Plata (later united in Skibs-A/S Varild) and the ship Attila. This info is from the Fearnley & Eger History, published by the World Ship Society. The ship would have been under German control when sold, but this book does not mention that fact.

POST WAR: In Oslo in May 1945, returned to Norway and renamed Attila. Sold in 1954 to Naviera Estelar SA, Panama (manager Fernando M. Pereda, Santander, Spain) and renamed Rio Deva. Sold to British Iron & Steel Corporation, London, and allocated to Thomas W. Ward Ltd. for breaking up, arriving at Inverkeithing on Jan. 30-1955.

(Misc. sources, incl. R. W. Jordan).

Struck a mine at Lepsørev, north of Ålesund on Sept. 1-1944 on a voyage from Brattvåg to Ålesund in ballast.

Related external link:
1 who died - Assistant Bjarne Karsten Skutvik is commemorated.

Seized by the Germans while building at Odense Staalskibsverft, Odense and renamed Schleswig, 505.5' x 66.1' x 35.3', 6 cyl. 2T MAN 4700 ihp, 12 knots.

Badly damaged following an explosion due to sabotage at A/S Akers Verksted in Oslo on Nov. 24-1944. M/S Troma and M/S Taiwan were sunk (later raised), as well as the German M/T Euroland. Sabotage was also carried out at Nyland Verksted on the same date (see Arna).

There's an entry for Oct. 4-1943 in Robert Cressman's "The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II" which says that the German tanker Schleswig was damaged in "Operation Leader", the allied air attack (U.S. Navy Carrier operation) off Bodø in which M/S Topeka and the German Ibis were damaged and M/S Skramstad was sunk. I've been thinking that the Ibis mentioned by Robert Cressman was the D/S Ibis I've listed on my website (under German control), but then I came across a list of ships sunk and damaged in Operation Leader (see my link "D/S Rabat" below) which gives a different tonnage than what I have for Ibis, so it's obviously not the same vessel.

POST WAR: Returned to Westfal-Larsen after the war, repaired and returned to service as Austanger in 1946. Sold for breaking up in Gt. Britain in May-1960.

Related external links:
Hyperwar - Linked directly to Robert Cressman's book entries for 1943 - scroll down to Oct. 4 for details on the allied air attack in which Schleswig was damaged.

D/S Rabat - (German ship) - A website for divers; this section discusses Operation Leader, and has several pictures of the air attacks, as well as of Rabat. The text is in Norwegian, but included on page 2 is the German maritime declaration for Rabat. This site says that Topeka was sunk, and that Ibis was only 593 gt, as opposed to the Ibis I've linked to above, which was 1367 gt. (Ships sunk and damaged are listed on page 4).

Norway - A grateful Nation remembers - Air Group 4, Operation Leader (great article).

Other ships by this name: Another tanker by this name was delivered to Westfal-Larsen in June-1964, built in Gothenburg, 12 872 gt. Sold to Vietnam Ocean Shipping Co., Haiphong (along with sistership Grenanger) in Oct.-1975, renamed Cuu Long II. A 3rd Austanger (chemical tanker) was delivered to Daewo Austanger S.A. in June-1982 on special hire/purchase terms, 13 331 gt., registered in Panama. This ship later sailed as Bow Chaser for Skibs-A/S Storli, Bergen from 1990, renamed Ncc Arar that same year (majority of info from company fleet list).

Pre war history: Delivered in 1917 from Gunvald Ottesen, Sagvåg, Stord as Austli to H. W. Schaatum, Stavanger. Wooden hull, 59’ x 15,7’ x 7,2’, 33 gt, 2cyl 2tev Rap 40bhp. Sold in Apr.-1920 to Hardanger Søndhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Somewhat rebuilt in Sagvåg (passenger accommodations) and in June she was placed in local service in Sunnhordland, but not very popular among the passengers due to her small size and slow speed. In 1922 a new motor was installed which increased the speed slightly. In Oct.-1930 the company was renamed Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen.

Picture of Austli - Received from Kjell Vikanes, Norway, who has a website about Sagvågen Kystlag (several pictures).

POST WAR: Sold in March-1948 to Ludvig Baardsen, Stord. Sold in 1950 to Lars Hetlelid, Stord, used as freighter? Deleted from register in 1975.

(Info from T. Eriksen, Norway - his source: "Over Fjord og Fjell, HSD 1880-1980" by Bård Kolltveit 1980).

Pre war history: Delivered in July 1913 from A/S Mjellem & Karlsen, Bergen (48) as local passenger/cargo vessel Austrheim to Lindaas-Masfjordens Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Steel hull, 100.8'(lpp) x 19' x 9,7', 131 gt, 60 net. Tripple Expansion (Mjellem & Karlsen) 40 nhp, 220 ihp. In regularly scheduled service Bergen-Lindås-Austrheim with passengers, cargo and mail. Laid up in 1916 due to shortage of coal. Back in service after WW I. Company changed its name in Nov.-1937 to Lindås Masfjordens Dampbaatlag A/S, Bergen.

WW II: In her regular service all through the war.

POST WAR: Overhauled at A/S Mjellem & Karlsen, Bergen in July-1945. Owning company fused into A/S Bergen Nordhordland Trafikklag, Bergen in March-1951. Sold in Febr.-1952 (Edvard & Hans Paulsen, Eide). Converted to freighter at Paulsen Mek. Verksted, Eidsbotten near Kopervik, 100.8'(lpp) x 19' x 9.5', 131 gt, 66 net, 180 tdwt, a 1cyl 2t single acting Wichmann 84 bhp installed. Entered service as freighter Slottheim 1952(?). Had engine failure on Apr. 30-1957 and drifted ashore at Eime on a voyage Vedavågen-Oslo in ballast. Crew was saved by the pilotboat from Kvitsøy. Salvage vessel Traust was summoned from Stavanger, but when the latter arrived Slottheim was already inside the breakers where she could not be reached. Eventually sank there.

(From T. Eriksen, Norway - Misc. sources).

Norway had another Austrheim later on, delivered from Løland Verft A/S, Leirvik to A/S Bergen Nordhordland Trafikklag Bergen in Sept.-1973, 396 gt. Transferred to A/S Bergen Nordhordland Rutelag, Bergen in Jan.-1974. Sold in Apr.-1983 to A/S Salten D/S, Bodø and renamed Salten. Renamed Bogøy in March-1988, still in service in 1996. (Info from Ofoten & Vesteraalens D/S fleet list - Finn R. Hansen).

Please see my page D/S Austri for more information on this ship and a detailed account of the attack on her by allied aircraft on Febr. 21-1945. Includes survivors and casualties list.