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M/S Laurits Swenson
Updated Dec. 16-2009

To Laurits Swenson on the "Ships starting with L" page.

Manager: Fred. Olsen & Co., Oslo
Tonnage:
5725 gt


Scanned from Fred. Olsen & Co. fleet list, with permission from the company.

Built by Odense Staalskibsværft, Denmark 1930, for the Pacific Line.

Captain: ? Rød.


Source: Roger W. Jordan collection (sent to me for inclusion on this website).


From Tony Cooper's collection.

From May-1942, till July-1942 Helene Karoline J. Fischer Dale served as a stewardess on this ship. She later went on to become the first Norwegian female radio officer in our fleet. She had previously served as stewardess on Bayard from March-1940 till Dec. that year, and on the same ship from Febr.-1941 till March-1942, before joining Laurits Swenson in the same capacity in May-1942, as mentioned. The following month she started school at Little Norway, Toronto to become a radio operator, and fresh out of school she joined Fred. Olsen's Baalbek as 2nd radio operator in June-1943 (till Sept.-1943), before signing on Alf Lindeberg in Oct.-1943 where she stayed till Dec.-1945. Just 2 days after signing off Alf Lindeberg she joined M/S Fernplant, this time as 1st radio operator, remaining with this ship until March-1946. She was later awarded Krigsmedaljen and Haakon VII Frihetsmedalje - see my Norwegian War Medals page. Many women sailed with the Norwegian fleet during the war; mostly as stewardesses or saloon girls. Norwegian ships also had several female Canadian radio operators; a list of their names can be found at the end of my page about Mosdale. (My mother was also a radio operator, though not during the war. Her ships are named at Åse's Ships).

Her voyages are listed on these original images from the Norwegian National Archives:
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6


Please compare the above voyages with Arnold Hague's Voyage Record below.

Voyage Record
From May-1940 to Sept.-1945:

(Received from Don Kindell - His source: The late Arnold Hague's database).

Follow the convoy links provided for more information on each.

Errors may exist, and some voyages are missing.

Departure From To Arrival Convoy Remarks
1940 May 15 Bermuda BHX 43 Some earlier voyages, Page 1
See HX 43 below
May 21 Bermuda portion joined main convoy Liverpool May 30 HX 43
June 9 Liverpool OB 164 For Panama.
Dispersed 46 24N 19 58W, June 12.
Convoy available at OB convoys
(external link)
June 12 Convoy dispersed Cristobal June 25 Independent
June 28 Balboa Los Angeles July 9 Independent Via Corinto (Page 1)
July 9 Los Angeles Vancouver July 13 Independent
July 16 Vancouver New Westminster July 16 Independent
July 17 New Westminster Vancouver July 18 Independent
July 27 Vancouver Bellingham July 27 Independent
July 28 Bellingham Tacoma July 29 Independent Notional dates
Aug. 1 Tacoma Everett, Washington Independent
Aug. 3 Everett Tacoma Independent
Aug. 5 Tacoma San Francisco Aug. 8 Independent
Aug. 10 San Francisco Los Angeles Aug. 12 Independent
Aug. 12 Los Angeles Balboa Aug. 24 Independent
Aug. 25 Cristobal Bermuda Aug. 31 Independent
Sept. 1 Bermuda Halifax Sept. 4 Independent
Sept. 5 Halifax Liverpool Sept. 21 HX 71
Oct. 9 Liverpool OB 226 Dispersed Oct. 12.
Convoy available at OB convoys
(external link)
Oct. 12 Convoy dispersed Hampton Roads Oct. 24 Independent
Oct. 28 Hampton Roads Cristobal Nov. 3 Independent
Nov. 5 Balboa New Westminster Nov. 18 Independent See also Page 1
Dec. 2 New Westminster Vancouver Dec. 3 Independent
Dec. 5 Vancouver Tacoma Dec. 5 Independent Arr. Seattle Dec. 11 (Page 1)
Dec. 12 Tacoma* Los Angeles Dec. 16 Independent *From Seattle
Dec. 19 Los Angeles Balboa Dec. 30 Independent
Dec. 31 Cristobal Bermuda Jan. 6-1941 Independent
1941 Jan. 9 Bermuda BHX 102 See HX 102 below
Jan. 15 Bermuda portion joined main convoy Liverpool Jan. 29 HX 102
Febr. 27 Liverpool OB 291 Dispersed March 3.
Convoy available at OB convoys
(external link)
March 3 Convoy dispersed Cristobal March 20 Independent
March 21 Balboa Los Angeles Apr. 1 Independent Via Corinto - See Page 2
Apr. 2 Los Angeles Vancouver Apr. 7 Independent
Apr. 16 Vancouver New Westminster Apr. 16 Independent
Apr. 18 New Westminster Vancouver Apr. 18 Independent
Apr. 22 Vancouver Tacoma Apr. 23 Independent
Apr. 28 Tacoma Los Angeles May 2 Independent
May 8 Los Angeles Balboa May 19 Independent
May 20 Cristobal Bermuda May 26 Independent
May 29 Bermuda BHX 130 See HX 130 below
June 5 Bermuda portion joined main convoy Liverpool June 20 HX 130
July 7 Liverpool OB 344 For Vancouver.
Dispersed 45 42N 54W, July 16.
Convoy available at OB convoys
(external link)
July 16 Convoy dispersed Cristobal July 24 Independent
July 25 Balboa Los Angeles Aug. 4 Independent
Aug. 4 Los Angeles Vancouver Aug. 8 Independent
Aug. 13 Vancouver New Westminster Aug. 13 Independent
Aug. 15 New Westminster Port Townsend Aug. 16 Independent
Aug. 19 Tacoma San Francisco Aug. 22 Independent
Aug. 27 San Francisco Los Angeles Aug. 28 Independent
Aug. 30 Los Angeles Balboa Sept. 9 Independent
Sept. 11 Cristobal Halifax Sept. 19 Independent
Sept. 22 Halifax Liverpool Oct. 6 HX 151 4 Passengers
Oct. 20 Liverpool ON 28 For Vancouver.
Detached in 46 54N 40 14W, Oct. 30.
Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Oct. 30 Detached from ON 28 Cristobal Nov. 9 Independent
Nov. 10 Balboa Vancouver Nov. 23 Independent
Dec. 4 Vancouver New Westminster Dec. 4 Independent
Dec. 5 New Westminster Tacoma Dec. 6 Independent
Dec. 11 Tacoma San Francisco Dec. 15 Independent
Dec. 18 San Francisco Los Angeles Dec. 19 Independent
Dec. 20 Los Angeles Balboa Dec. 30 Independent
1942 Jan. 1 Cristobal Halifax Jan. 10 Independent
Jan. 13 Halifax Liverpool Jan. 28 HX 170
Febr. 20 Liverpool ON 69 For NYC.
Dispersed March 6.
Convoy will be added.
See link above.
March 6 Convoy dispersed New York City March 8 Independent
March 21 New York City Halifax March 24 Independent
March 27 Halifax Liverpool Apr. 9 HX 182
May 1 Liverpool ON 91 For NYC.
Dispersed 42 18N 69 15W, May 15.
Convoy will be added.
See link above.
May 15 Convoy dispersed New York City May 16 Independent
June 1 New York City Boston Independent Compare w/Page 3
June 2 Boston Halifax June 4 BX 22 Convoy available at BX convoys
(external link)
June 7 Halifax Liverpool June 18 HX 193
July 3 Liverpool New York City July 16 ON 109 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Aug. 2 New York City Cape Cod Bay Independent
Aug. 6 Cape Cod Bay Halifax Aug. 8 BX 32B Convoy available at BX convoys
(external link)
Aug. 9 Halifax Liverpool Aug. 21 HX 202
Sept. 4 Liverpool ON 127 Romped in 48 52N 33 04W, Sept. 11
Sept. 11 Romper from ON 127 Halifax Sept. 16 Independent
Sept. 18 Halifax New York City Sept. 21 Independent
Oct. 1 New York City Liverpool Oct. 17 HX 210
Nov. 1 Liverpool New York City Nov. 17 ON 143 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Dec. 5 New York City Liverpool Dec. 21 HX 218
1943 Jan. 4 Liverpool New York City Jan. 21 ON 159
Febr. 8 New York City Belfast Lough Febr. 23 HX 226
Febr. 23 Belfast Lough Swansea Febr. 25 BB 265 Convoy available at BB convoys
(external link)
March 8 Swansea New York City March 26 ON 172 Via Milford Haven & Belfast Lough - See Page 3
Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Apr. 12 New York City Clyde Apr. 28 HX 234 Missing voyages, Page 3
May 10 Clyde New York City May 25 ON 183 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
June 7 New York City Liverpool June 21 HX 243
July 9 Liverpool New York City July 23 ON 192 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
Aug. 7 New York City Liverpool Aug. 23 HX 251
Sept. 2 Liverpool New York City Sept. 18 ON 200 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
Oct. 5 New York City Liverpool Oct. 19 HX 260 Convoy will be added.
See ships in HX convoys
Oct. 31 Liverpool New York City Nov. 17 ON 209 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Dec. 2 New York City Clyde Dec. 16 HX 269 Fitted with AND.
(See also Page 4).
Convoy will be added.
See ships in HX convoys
1944 Jan. 8 Clyde New York City Jan. 27 ON 219 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Febr. 13 New York City Liverpool March 1 HX 279
March 15 Liverpool New York City Apr. 1 ON 228 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
Apr. 18 New York City Liverpool May 4 HX 288
May 19 Liverpool New York City June 3 ON 237 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
July 11 New York City Loch Ewe July 23 HX 299
July 24 Loch Ewe Methil July 26 WN 611 Convoy available at WN convoys
(external link)
July 27 Methil Southend July 29 FS 1526 (Again, see also Page 4).
Convoy available at FS convoys
(external link)
Aug. 11 Southend Methil Aug. 13 FN 1446 Convoy available at FN convoys
(external link)
Aug. 15 Methil Loch Ewe Aug. 17 EN 422 Convoy available at EN convoys
(external link)
Aug. 18 Loch Ewe New York City Sept. 2 ON 249 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Sept. 16 New York City Clyde Oct. 2 HX 309 See also Page 4
Oct. 11 Clyde New York City Oct. 29 ON 259 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
Nov. 29 New York City Liverpool Dec. 14 HX 323
Dec. 24 Liverpool New York City Jan. 8-1945 ON 274 Convoy will be added.
See link above.
1945 Febr. 7 New York City Downs Febr. 22 HX 337 See also Page 4
March 17 Southend New York City Apr. 5 ON 291 Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
Apr. 18 New York City Southend May 4 HX 351 Convoy will be added.
See ships in HX convoys
May 26 Southend ON 305 Missing voyages, Page 5
Detached independent May 30.
Convoy will be added.
See ships in ON convoys
May 30 Detached from ON 305 Baltimore June 9 Independent
June 26 Baltimore Downs July 8 Independent
July 9 Southend Hull July 10 Independent
July 24 Hull Philadelphia Aug. 5 Independent
Aug. 21 Philadelphia Immingham Sept. 3 Independent Subsequent voyages, Page 5 & Page 6


 Some Convoy Voyages: 
For information on voyages made in between those discussed here, please see the documents received from the National Archives of Norway as well as Hague's Voyage Record above. Follow the convoy links provided for more details on them - other Norwegian ships also took part.

According to Page 1 of the archive documents, Laurits Swenson left Los Angeles on Apr. 8-1940 with the intention of sailing to Oslo, Norway, but the country was invaded the next day, and she was diverted to Liverpool, so she returned to Los Angeles, later proceeding to Bermuda. From there, she joined the Bermuda portion of Convoy HX 43 on May 15 in order to make the voyage to Liverpool, arriving there on May 30, cargo of grain and fruit (the Norwegian Ida Bakke, Vivi and Sildra also sailed in this convoy). With Erviken and Leiesten she's later listed in Convoy OB 164, which left Liverpool on June 9 and dispersed on the 12th, Laurits Swenson arriving Cristobal on June 25. In Sept.-1940 she's mentioned in the escort's report for Convoy HX 71, departing Halifax on Sept. 5 (convoy will be updated* with ships from Halifax), and the following month she shows up, together with Brant County, Grado, Petter, Ruth I and Samuel Bakke, in Convoy OB 226 (station 62), which left Liverpool on Oct. 9 and dispersed on the 12th. Her destination on that occasion was Hampton Roads, where she arrived on Oct. 24. More info on the OB convoys is available at the external link provided within the Voyage Record.

In Jan.-1941, we find her in the Bermuda portion of Convoy HX 102, bound for Liverpool with a general cargo, and the following month she joined Convoy OB 291, which departed Liverpool on Febr. 27 and dispersed March 3 (also available at the external website mentioned above). Caledonia, Grena, Hardanger, Hilda Knudsen, Skaraas and Storaas (bombed and damaged - see Skaraas and Storaas) are also included, as is the Panamania Norvik (Norwegian managers and included under the N's on this website). No destination is given for Laurits Swenson, but when going back to Page 1 of the archive documents, we learn that she arrived Cristobal on March 20. She returned to the U.K. in June with Convoy HX 130. She was again bound for Liverpool with a general cargo, sailing in station 63 of the convoy, having joined from Bermuda. A cruising order/Commodore's notes are also available for this convoy. Together with Belinda, Sama and Samuel Bakke, she subsequently joined Convoy OB 344, departing Liverpool on July 7, dispersed July 16, Laurits Swenson arriving Cristobal on the 24th, proceeding to Los Angeles and Vancouver the next day (see Page 2).

She headed back across the Atlantic on Sept. 22 that year in Convoy HX 151 from Halifax (name is given as Swenson only, but it should be Laurits Swenson - page will be updated*) along with the Norwegian Dagrun (station 54), Sama (85), San Andres (105), Meline (43), Morgenen (93), Belinda, Thorshøvdi (53), Sophocles (left the convoy and sailed independently), Tigre (44), Hardanger (94), Leiv Eiriksson (24). Laurits Swenson arrived Liverpool on Oct. 6, and later that month, she joined the westbound North Atlantic Convoy ON 28*, as did the Norwegian Polartank, Brant County and other Norwegian ships (departure Liverpool Oct. 20, dispersed Nov. 3). When the convoy was located by U-boats on Oct. 29 the Admiralty redirected it and ordered the fastest ships (including the 3 Norwegian ones mentioned) to proceed independently. (The American Salinas was torpedoed and damaged by U-106 on Oct. 30). Laurits Swenson arrived Cristobal on Nov. 9, later continuing to Vancouver, where she arrived Nov. 23.

Arnold Hague has also included her in Convoy HX 170 in Jan.-1942. The following month she's listed as bound for New York in the westbound Convoy ON 69*, which left Liverpool Febr. 20 and dispersed March 6, Laurits Swenson arriving New York on March 8. She headed back to the U.K. again on March 27 with Convoy HX 182 from Halifax, and at the beginning of May she joined the westbound Convoy ON 91*, general cargo for New York, where she arrived on May 16, the convoy having been dispersed the day before (departed Liverpool May 1). In June she joined Convoy HX 193 from Halifax, then early in July she's listed in the westbound Convoy ON 109*, departing Liverpool July 3, arriving Halifax July 18(?) - Laurits Swenson, however, was bound for New York, with arrival there July 16. She sailed back to the U.K. the following month in Convoy HX 202, general cargo for Mersey - see also Page 3.

For her return voyage across the ocean she joined Convoy ON 127 on Sept. 4, station 41. Having witnessed several ships being sunk, it was decided to leave the convoy on Sept. 11 after the 5th attack, and she subsequently made it safely to Halifax on her own. (See also Hindanger, Sveve, Daghild, Marit II and Fjordaas, 2 of which were sunk, the others damaged). The following month she's listed in Convoy HX 210, departing New York City on Oct. 1. Cargo is given as "valuables and explosives" and she sailed in station 33 of the convoy, bound for Liverpool. The Norwegian Montevideo served as Commodore Vessel. Laurits Swenson returned to New York at the beginning of Nov.-1942 with the westbound Convoy ON 143* (departure Liverpool Nov. 1), and in Dec.-1942, she joined Convoy HX 218 from New York, again bound for Liverpool, and again with explosives in her cargo, station 43.

She subsequently returned to the U.S. early in Jan.-1943 with the westbound Convoy ON 159, acting as the Commodore's ship in station 61 - the Commodore's narrative is also available for this convoy. She was also Commodore Vessel for Convoy HX 226, departing New York on Febr. 8. She had a general cargo for Swansea, where she arrived, via Belfast Lough, on Febr. 25. In March she joined the westbound Convoy ON 172* (convoy left Liverpool March 9, arrived New York March 27 - it looks like Laurits Swenson joined from Belfast Lough, see Page 3), and the following month she again served as Commodore Vessel, this time for Convoy HX 234; the Commodore had some good words for the ship and her crew, as can be seen when clicking on the link to this convoy. See also the Commodore's report. Laurits Swenson now went back to the U.S. in May with Convoy ON 183* (departure Liverpool May 10 - Laurits Swenson joined from Clyde - arrival New York May 25), and in June she was in Convoy HX 243 from New York, departing June 7, arriving Liverpool on the 21st, general cargo, station 114.

In July we find her listed as bound for New York in the westbound Convoy ON 192* (from Liverpool July 9, to New York July 23), and she was chosen as Commodore Vessel again for her return voyage with Convoy HX 251 the following month (Commodore was Sir R.A.R. Plunket-Ernle-Erle-Drax). Her cargo is given as general and explosives, destination Liverpool in station 81. In Sept.-1943 she's listed in the westbound Convoy ON 200* (from Liverpool Sept. 2, to New York Sept. 18), and according to A. Hague she subsequently joined Convoy HX 260*, which left New York on Oct. 5 and arrived Liverpool on the 20th - see also Page 4 of the archive docs. She later appears in the westbound Convoy ON 209* to New York, later acting as Commodore Vessel for the returning Convoy HX 269* in Dec.-1943.

In Jan.-1944 she joined the westbound Convoy ON 219* (from Liverpool Jan. 8, to New York Jan. 27 - she joined from Clyde), heading back to the U.K. on Febr. 12 with Convoy HX 279, general cargo for Liverpool. In March she shows up in the westbound Convoy ON 228*, departing Liverpool March 15, arriving New York Apr. 1, going back to the U.K. later that month with Convoy HX 288, for which R.G. Clayton acted as Commodore in Laurits Swenson. On May 19 she joined the westbound Convoy ON 237*, arriving New York June 3.

In the summer of 1944 the Germans started using the V 1 bombs (ref. external link at the end of this page), and the first Norwegian report of such a bomb came from Laurits Swenson, which had arrived London on July 31, having sailed from New York with Convoy HX 299, yet again acting as Commodore Vessel (Commodore J. K. Brook), with the Norwegian Høyanger as Vice Commodore's ship. Ships in port were in danger day and night from these bombs, as they could, of course, not defend themselves against them with their own armament. My father also experienced the V 1, and later the V 2, while going to Radio Officer's school in London. See his interesting and, at times, quite amusing account in one of his letters (Letter No. 4). Laurits Swenson departed London on Aug. 11, later joining convoy ON 249* in order to go back to New York, where she arrived Sept. 2, having started out from Loch Ewe Aug. 18. She's listed as returning to the U.K. with Convoy HX 309 in Sept.-1944 (Vice Commodore), bound for Glasgow with general cargo. In Oct.-1944 we find her in the westbound Convoy ON 259*, which originated in Liverpool on Oct. 12, but Laurits Swenson sailed from Clyde Oct. 11 and arrived New York Oct. 29. A month later she's listed as Vice Commodore Vessel for Convoy HX 323, bound for Liverpool with general cargo. Christmas Eve that year was spent in the westbound Convoy ON 274*, which arrived New York on Jan. 8-1945.

Laurits Swenson, general cargo for London, again acted as Commodore Vessel for Convoy HX 337 in Febr.-1945 (having been cancelled from the previous convoy, HX 336). She returned across the ocean in March with Convoy ON 291*, then served as Commodore Vessel again for Convoy HX 351* (Commodore Sir R.A.R. Plunket-Ernle-Erle-Drax), which left New York on Apr. 18 and arrived Liverpool on May. 3. At the end of May we find her in the last ON convoy of the war, namely ON 305*.

Her subsequent voyages are listed on Page 5 and Page 6 of the archive documents.

* All the ON convoys mentioned here are available and will be added to individual pages in my Convoys section in due course, along with further details on each. In the meantime, the ships sailing in them (and escorts) are named in the section listing ships in all ON convoys. As will be seen, they all had several Norwegian ships. The entire HX series will also be updated and completed (including the already existing ones), but for now, see ships in all HX convoys.

For more information on all the other Norwegian ships named here, please see the alphabet index at the end of this page, or go to the Master Ship Index.

 POST WAR: 

Sold in 1963. Arrived at Hong Kong on Sept. 5-1963 to be broken up.

Related external links:
OA and OB convoys 1940

ON-127, 9-14 Sept 1942

Fi-103/V-1 "Buzz Bomb" - Detailed description and several pictures.

Lesser known facts of WW II - scroll down on the page.

For your information, the Australian War Memorial has several photos of V 1 and V 2 bombs - they can can be found through the collection search page of the site. One picture has the caption: A sectional drawing of a German V-1 Flying bomb, another has the caption: A sectionalised drawing showing the component parts of a German V-2 rocket (also designated A-4), and a third has the caption: Belgium. 1944-12. The first picture of the German V2 Flying Bomb which fell in Belgium.

Fred Olsen & Co. today

Back to Laurits Swenson on the "Ships starting with L" page.

The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Nortraships flåte", J. R. Hegland, Fred. Olsen & Co. fleet list, and misc. others for cross checking info as named within the text. The majority of the information on Helene Fischer Dale was received from Olive Roeckner, who herself served as radio operator on Norwegian ships (she in turn received the information from Berit Pittman, Canada). A book has been written about her experiences - see my text under Narvik.

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