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------------------------------------------------- From: Leif Lind Query on missing WWI crew member I know you cannot help with finding people, but you may have suggestions as to where to look. I have tried to find information on my paternal grandfather, Trygve Nikolai Lind Totland (Bergen, 29 Feb 1888-ca. 1914), who usually went by the name Trygve Totland or Trygve Lind Totland. He started as 3rd Engineer, graduating eventually to Chief Engineer ("første maskinist"), and is listed as a crew member on the Bergen-registered Christian Bors in both 1910 (sailing to Port Townsend, WA) and 1911 (to San Francisco). He was killed somewhere at sea ca. 1914 by a torpedo attack. I would really like to know where his ship went down - any suggestions as to where I could look for WWI information? Thanks for any help with this! Leif Lind, California I have suggested the National Archives of Norway, as well as my Ship Forum, where visitors often have crew lists for WWI ships. ------------------------------------------------- From: N.T. Hind The name of a ship Hi, Im looking for a Norwegian ship called Golden something, my friend was on that ship in 1942 coming out of North America, he was blown into the water, and was on a raft for 7 days, he was a DEM gunner. Name Phil Barbour, can you help. Thank you. The ship was carrying oil & fuel. All I can suggest is that he looks through the ships starting with G to see if there's any ship that fits. The visitors to my Ship Forum might also be able to help. ------------------------------------------------- From: Bjørn Pedersen ORM JARL Hello, Best regards Bjoern Here is Orm Jarl - picture has been removed. ------------------------------------------------- From: Brian Murza Late father's shipmates. Searching for shipmates of my late father's who served in H.M.C.S. VISON Z30- October 1944-Dec. 1944 and H.M.C.S. CARLPLACE K664 February 1945-May 1945. Brian Murza Brian's address can be supplied (my contact address has been provided at the bottom of this page). ------------------------------------------------- From: Knut Inge Robberstad ANDERS HOVDE 2 MATE SKYTTERN Spain december 10th 2010 I am writing this in honour, recognition and rememberance of Captain Anders HOVDE, who was a second mate onboard the Norwegian whale ship M/S SKYTTERN sunk by its own crew during the Kvarstad breakout from Sweden in World War 2. It is hard for me to find the right words to continue to write this message. Captain HOVDE married my mother Margrethe born KARLSEN long after the war. They had a extraordinary god relationship which brought them over many lands and where they crossed many borders also emotionel borders. Captain HOVDE joined the Royal Norwegian Navy after the war until his honarable discharge when he retired. As it often is with men who have seen war he did not talk of his experience very much. It has therefore been a emotionel experience to read about the trials of these men and women and their dramatic experiences in Nazi war camps. As I have myself seen the horror of war and conflict in my time, and as I now grow older I feel a pain in my heart over the youth that we lost, as history repeats itself around the world in its true horror. It is however a unbelivable coincedance that many years after the horrors of World War 2 I found a woman to love in the same area of Germany as my dear father once faced death, whereas I walked in peace and harmony, where he was tortured. May peace once rule the destiny of humanity. Thank you for this opertunity and thank you for your tiredless work to shed light on the tragedy of the Warsailors. See Kvarstad Ships & Men, as well as the crew list for Skytteren and Life in imprisonment. ------------------------------------------------- From: "Smule" Re D/S BRIS page I have a photograph of the newer "BRIS" taken on the Haugesund slip in 1964. Does that correspond with your records? Do you want a copy? Always appreciate such offers, but since this was not the WW II Bris, I really don't need it. ------------------------------------------------- From: Christoffer Hannevig Arne Sunde Hi Siri, long time no contact, Ships in Sweden - Irania - Hans Hannevig. I note you have had contact form Arne Sunde's grandson Erik Sunde. Could you contact him and ask him if he would co-operate with us in researching his Grandfathers role in Stockholm during his mission there in 1940. We have been working on the case since we last contacted you, historian Hans Olav Lahlum has completed a report on the events concluding that the departure of Irania was approved by the Norwegian Government. Best regards Christoffer Hannevig See Ships in Sweden - Erik Sunde's address has been forwarded. Christopher, if you should see this, my mails to you keep bouncing back as undeliverable. ------------------------------------------------- From: Peter Kaliniecki M/S Morviken Life Ring Hi, ------------------------------------------------- From: Brian Davies SS Romanby My uncle William (Billy) Johnston was one of the crew of the Romanby sunk at Narvik in 1940. He too was interred in Sweden and escaped in either the John or the Elizabeth Bakke during Operation "Rubble". He was subsequently awarded the Norwegian Marine Medal together with a certificate. He served throughout WW2 in the Atlantic convoys, North Africa and Normandy. In 1944 he was engaged in "special operations for the liberation of Europe" which seems very unusual for a merchant seaman! (This probably simply has to do with the Normandy invasion). Operation Rubble is discussed on my page about Elisabeth Bakke. ------------------------------------------------- From: Tone Sæthre My father I have a silver plate dish given to my father on the occation of his marriage to my mother Margit Mossige in March 1940. The description reads From your crewmates on M/S Tijuca. My father has long since passed away and he never told me anything from his time away from Norway 1940-1945. He married my mother then left only to return to see his son as a 5 year old boy in -45. I came in 1947. We have a few letters which managed to get thru the German security. (See my page about Tijuca). ------------------------------------------------- From: Arne Gundersen M/S Lygrefjord (H 31 F) I wos the owner of Lygrefjord in 1980---- Here's my information on Lygrefjord. ------------------------------------------------- From: Irine Steamships Alcoa in 1963 Hi there, Bye, Irine (See also the message below. I'm afraid I'm unable to assist). ------------------------------------------------- From: Irine Alcoa ore carriers in 1963-1964 Hi, ------------------------------------------------- From: Thore Langfeldt D/S Idefjord lifebuoy and flag Hey Here's my page about Idefjord ------------------------------------------------- From: Glynis Hart Christian Michelson The Reuben Alfred Tiley mentioned as being on board the Christian Michelson when she was sunk was my grandfather. He was a 43 year old British Petty officer who was on the ship seconded from HMS President 111 as the British naval presence. He was reported missing presumed killed on September 26th 1943 and left a widow, Alice Pretoria Tiley and a daughter Ivy Ruby Tiley. I would like to know exactly where the ship went down if the co-ordinates are available. Here's my page about this ship. ------------------------------------------------- From: Bjørn Ingebrigtsen In Flanders Field the Poppies Grow Hello. POPPIES DON'T GROW IN THE SEA Poppies grow in Flanders Fields, the poets tell us so. So let us all remember the soldiers beneath the wave, Then we who survived must remember with grace, From: Christine McAfee nee Jorgensen Johan Jorgensen my father in whaling fleet and in later in Canada My father Johan Ludvig Jorgensen, born Skjoeloy, Onsoy in 1917 was on his first whaling trip to S. Atlantic when the Nazi's attacked and captured a goodly portion of the fleet. I do not know the name of his ship, but believe his brother Olav was on the same voyage. My father's ship escaped and he ended up in Canada at the training camp in Newfoundland. I have several pictures of the football team of happy players, with my dad front and center. Eventually dad ended up in England in MTB boats at HMS Hornet in Gosport and that is where he met my mother, and I was born in 1944. Dad was eventually sent to the Shetlands, and ended up raiding into the fjords on the small boats. I remember him telling me that one does not know fear until you are huddled against the bulkhead with only a couple of inches of plywood between you and the freezing fjord knowing that the Germans are waiting for you, machine guns at the ready. Dad survived the war, but talked very little about his experiences. I think the experience traumatized him badly although he fought bravely for his country and really gave his all for the war effort. After war's end dad returned to Norway, and eventually joined the Merchant Marine, sailing for Wilhelm Wilhelmsen. Circa 1950 he studied and obtained his Captain's ticket, and finally caught up again with mother and they married in 1950. I do not know all the tankers in which he served, but at least one was the MT Vikland. Between war's end and 1950 dad spent a couple of seasons whaling again, and again I have photos from that era. He had a long career in the whaling industry, and when whaling became not acceptable he turned to tankers, often away for months on end. He was not an easy man to know, given to drink heavily and smoke too much, but yet there was a very likeable side about him once he warmed to you. He died in 2003 in Fredrikstad. My mother died in 1973, so he was pretty much alone, both my brother and I making our home in England, and for me eventually the US. I saw him last in 1989, still a handsome man, still getting around like someone half his age. I had my differences with him, but remain tremendously proud of his war service, the risks he took for his country and defeating the Nazi's, and the sacrifices he made to support his family. It is thanks to him I had a first rate education at a top line public school. Regards, Christine McAfee You can read about the captured whaling fleet on this page. ------------------------------------------------- From: Herman Stray m/t Polykarp Dear O.C. Holm! Here's my page about Polykarp, but please note that this was not the ship Herman sailed on. ------------------------------------------------- From: Capt. Mike Kinnear SS Assyrian - Convoy, SC.7 Greetings from Thailand and congratulations on an excellent site. Ref: SS Assyrian Convoy, SC.7 I think there may be a typo in the below and I suspect it is the longitude shown in Signal 6. Page 2 - From HMS Leith's Report:- Signal 6 - To Admiralty C-in-C WA, ( R ) Fowey - From Leith From 57 10N 010 38W at 0145 hours to 57 12N 012 43W at 0300 hours is a distance of 68 nautical miles and a speed of 54.4 knots!!!! www.uboat.net states:- Axis Submarine Successes by Jurgen Rohwer states:- British Vessels Lost At Sea 1939-1945 states:- I sincerely hope this is of use. Kind Regards The report mentioned above can be found on this page. ------------------------------------------------- From: Iben Blom Hansen Marriages on ships Hi there. (Here's what I have on Glomdal). ------------------------------------------------- From: Karl Oskar Farstad D/S Prominent + Harald Marø Great web-site. See D/S Prominent ------------------------------------------------- From: Richard Holme M/K Rupee (H 6 FB) Hello, Kristen P (Pedersen) Holme is my Great Uncle. Kristian was the eldest son of Peder Olsen Holme and Anne. My grandfather Andreas Timann was the youngest b1876. The ship referred to above is listed on this page. ------------------------------------------------- From: Patrick Moores D/S Lom - Bari Explosion 02/12/1943 Hello (See my page about Lom). ------------------------------------------------- From: John Leask Fenja Thank you so much for the pictures of the Fenja. My grandfather served on a ship called the Fenja during ww2 and ended up as captain, so it was great to finally see a picture or two. I hope this is the ship he was on!! I will now register for the forums to see if i can find further information. Thanks for a great site ------------------------------------------------- From: Mike M/S BAJAMAR Re my recent message about Captain Johan Filip Sonderland of the M/S BAJAMAR: If Phip Sunderland would like copies of photos of Captain Johan Filip Sonderland, please pass on my e-mail address to him. (See message further down on this page. E-mail address has been passed on). ------------------------------------------------- From: Elizabeth K. Olsen WWI - Halifax Explosion Dec. 6 1917 The Norwegian ship "IMO" chartered to carry food and relief to war torn Europe was in collision with the French arms carrier "MONT BLANC" in Halifax Harbour Dec. 6, 1917. A crewman by the name of Sigurd Sorensen was below deck on the "IMO" and survived the deadly explosion that occurred. I am almost positive that he is the Sigurd Sorensen my mother married in Halifax in August 1919 but unless I can verify that is true I need to know when he signed on the "IMO" as a crewman was his middle initial H for Hesleberg and was his hometown either Brevik or Stadhelle in Telemark. The "Imo" was from Christiana. Please can you me verify this information? (I'm afraid this is something I cannot assist with). ------------------------------------------------- From: Mike M.V. BAJAMAR Re item on M.V. BAJAMAR I have an old photo album inherited from my aunt, photos of a cruise around the Canary Islands dated Easter 1936...including a photo of Captain Sonderland in command visiting Las Palmas, Santa Cruz, Candelaria on Tenerife and 2 old post cards of the ship!! The "banana boat run" explains the design of the ship Here is my page about Bajamar. ------------------------------------------------- From: Jose Matos Golar Patricia Hi, my name is Jose Matos. I am the son of one of the sailors that were on the life boats after they abandoned the Golar Patricia. My father is not in the picture that you posted in your web site. He is in the second boat behind, where the dead sailor is in. All these years I have been intrigued about the cause of the first explosion that broke the ship apart. After all these years of silence and not knowing where to go for information on the fate of this ship and its crew I stump into your web site and wonder if you can offer details about the tanker and the people in it. My father would be very happy if you can share some of the old memories. Golar Patricia was one of my father's ships. ------------------------------------------------- Name: Carrie Lefsaker Grandfather My grandfather, Karl Lefsaker, was shipwrecked while serving on a Norwegian Merchant Marine ship during WWII. He died when I was little, I was on here hoping to find out what ship he'd been on. I ended up becoming a ship's engineman without knowing until later that he'd had the same job in the MM. Anyway, this site is incredible, and I will be spending a lot more time looking through it! Thank you so much! (I've suggested the National Archives of Norway). ------------------------------------------------- From: Michelle Dzintarnieks Urgently tracing boats I sent a previous message to you asking about boats to Canada. Could you please tell me what boat whent to Canada or America during World War 2? Or assist with a website which may help? I did respond to Michelle's earlier message (in fact, this is the 3rd time she has contacted me and I've responded each time - she also has another message further down on this page). I also responded to this one, telling her I'm unable to assist. The next day I received the following charming "thank you note": You are extremely rude. I'm not sure which Google wording she's referring to, but all I can say is: Sigh..... ------------------------------------------------- From: Joan Brimanger 1939 My mother, sister, brother and I traveled from San Francisco through the Panama Canal to France. After a 30day voyage, we arrived in LeHavre on the fateful day, Sept 1, 1939, the day Hitler invaded Poland. Two names I recall--Capt Lange and Jim Peterson. I would love to find any information about that voyage you might have and their destination following that voyage. Here's my page about Brimanger. (I'm afraid I have no information on voyages prior to Febr.-1940). ------------------------------------------------- From: Colin Stevens Error in dates Convoy ON166 http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/on166.html "Local (S): This has the ships leaving before they joined the convoy. I believe it should be March 3 that they left. We have the ship's bell for HMCS New Westminster and a brass plaque that was presented to the ship by the citizens of New Westminster during the war. These are in the collection of the New Westminster Museum and Archives. Colin MacGregor Stevens The page referred to above can be found at Convoy ON 166. ------------------------------------------------- From: John Cooper MS Evina You link a photo to the description of this Norwegian ship, but you express some doubt that the photo is correct. As a fourteen-year-old boy, I sailed with my family on the Evina from Greenwich to Jacksonville Florida on our way to return to Canada, in October/November 1946, and I can assure you that the picture exactly matches my memory of it. Also I found another photo on line of the Evina. It may be the same photo. Anyway, it is virtually certain that the photo that you have is correct. I used to have a few poor photos that I took with my box camera, but I seem to have lost them. A link to the picture in question can be found here. ------------------------------------------------- From: Frida Stiansen - Maiorana My father Hello, Lidvard is discussed on this page - I've put Frida in touch with others who had relatives on board. ------------------------------------------------- From: Leif Michael Clark (nee Moen) Captain Leif Moen Captain Moen was my father (by birth). While I never actually knew him personally, I knew (and know) my birth mother very well. She was a stewardess who served on board with Capt. Moen during the war (though not on this boat, of course). They had a relationship throughout the war, as Capt. Moen could not return home to his wife (Arvid) and son (Rolf). He was the captain of another ship as well (I don't know the name yet), which was torpedoed and lost at sea. He was again presented an award by Great Britain for bravery in saving many of his crew. I was born shortly after the war (1947). Captain Moen died in the 1960's. My birth mother is still alive (she is 89) and very sharp. I hope this added information adds texture to your project! And if Rolf should ever see this posting, I would love to get in touch with him. (See Kongsgaard). ------------------------------------------------- From: Edward Holmes Family connections I sent you information regarding Frederick Humble about a year ago. He was sunk on the Thorshavet. His Brother William Humble was also a sailor and was sunk on the D/S Risanger. The message referred to above can be found here. Thorshavet is discussed on this page and here is Risanger. ------------------------------------------------- From: Mark JEAN JADOT I've been trying to track down a ship my Grandfather was sunk on in WW2 (172 Feild Regt RA). I'm not sure but I think thanks to your site I've found it (JEAN JADOT) so many, many thanks. (This ship is mentioned in several convoys on this website). ------------------------------------------------- From: Hans Claesson m/v Hidlefjord Hi! My grandfather, Hans Gullestad, was Captain of m/v Hidlefjord. Reportedly he was also one of the witnesses at his crewmembers Bent Florenes and Margareta Isobel Smyth wedding in Singapore 1940. Peter Caddy tells in his msg that he has a small film of their Singapore wedding. Me and the rest of Captain Hans Gullestads family would very much appreciate a contact with Peter & Margie Caddy regarding this film, with the hope that our Hans Gullestad might appear on some footage of this film. Regards (Contact has now been established - here is my page about Hidlefjord). ------------------------------------------------- From: Rolinda Tubbs Sandbolokken family Hello from Washington State USA -- I just started using my heritage to locate family members and research my family tree and found my great grandparents Gullick Knute Halvorson (13 Nov 1862) and Petra Matilda Sandbolokken (22 Dec 1867) listed within your family tree. I emailed the site manager Siv Eide Kaland and was given your website as a family link. Then I noticed your paragraph in searching for family members of Sandbolokken. We have been searching for more information on our family in Norway but had difficulty until now. My grandmother was Annetta Halvorson and my grandfather was George A Ronish (born Hronesch). My father is Rollie R Ronish Sr. Your website is amazing and I'm going to send a link to my mom Lila M Ronish who has been researching our family genealogy for years now. Like you my children are now grown, and living in other states (Maryland and Texas). I have 6 grandchildren now and travel twice a year on my "grandma tours" to visit them. My husband has 2 more years before he can retire when we will move closer, but for now I'm home a great deal and started working with mom on the family genealogy working on finding Sandbolobkken family. Both mom and I are excited to find you and would like to connect via email and learn how we are related, etc. After writing this I'm going to study your website a little more and see how much I can learn. I also have a cousin Sharron Taylor whose mother Charlotte is my father's sister and Sharron and I have always been interested in our grandmother's family. She also loves to travel - her husband is actually from England and they are hoping to visit Norway. I spoke to her yesterday about the possibility of connecting with family in Norway and she is as excited as my mother and I are. Cordially, (This message is related to information found in my Genealogy database). ------------------------------------------------- From: Michelle Dzintarnieks Tracing boats My father Alfred Dzintarnieks born September 19 1923 in Lepire (not sure of Latvian spelling) came to Australia. Dad has since died but didn't talk much about what happened, trying to find family, believe that some maybe in America. Can you please tell me the name of the boat that went to Canada and the date it left. This is something I cannot assist with. ------------------------------------------------- From: Gwen Waters Hermion - Ian Walter Munchenberg I saw your entry regarding the Hermion in searching for information on the death of my second cousin, Ian Walter Munchenberg. The information was very useful, thank you but made me realise that his surname was spelt incorrectly on your site and when I searched on the Australian War Memorial I found the same (spelt Much... rather than Munch....). I contaced the AWM who, once I supplied a copy of Ian's birth certificate, have made changes on their site and are in the process of doing the same for their paper details and wall plaques. However the AWM went one step further and contacted the National Archives of Norwary to get any information they could on Ian and his death. They forwarded what they received to me and were happy for me to share this with you for your site. It is not much but does confirm that he died from small pox at Port Said. The new AWM site details can be found at Airgraph sent to - Nortraship, Sydney, Australia I am not sure how the formatting has been maitanined in this type of email but I do have emailed copies of these documents and am happy to forward on as attachments if you would prefer. Please see my page about Hermion. ------------------------------------------------- From: John Graham Many thanks A very informative site, still coming back for more info and still learning more. This site explained how, when and where my grandfather met his fate ( M.V. INDIA 11/09/43 JOHN GRAHAM) which i've been tryng to find for some time. I can only thank you most sincerely for your commitment to the work that's been put into a superb and very interesting site. I would also like to ask how to go about finding crew lists and transfers, any help would be much appreciated Here is my page about India - see also this page which gives details on her fate. ------------------------------------------------- From: Nigel Collett Black Prince As this is not a forum item I am posting it here. Under Homefleet ship there is a note that on the 26/3/1941 the BLACK WATCH collided with with the Icebreaker FJARLI. On checking in 1941/2 Lloyds register I am only able to find a vessel called FJALIR, could you let me know if this is the same vessel and which is the correct spelling? see page:- www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=41a0218.pdf Many thanks Nigel Collett See my page about Black Watch - I'm not sure if Fjarli is a mis-spelling. ------------------------------------------------- From: Lori K. Haugen Kolbjorn Haugen My late Grandfather, Kolbjorn Haugen was a Norwegian War Sailor during WWII. I think he was on the Bonneville and the Roseville, if anyone knew him or has information about him or any of his friends, Arne Borgenson, Knut Kanstrup, and Harold Halverson. Bonneville can be found on this page, and here is my page about Roseville. If anyone can help Lori, I can provide her address. ------------------------------------------------- From: Bill Robb Jack Wong Sue Hi, very interesting site, has helped me a lot in researching the late Jack Wong Sue OAM, DCM, DOB 12/09/1925. He enlisted in the RAAF in September 1943 and was an operative with SOA (Special Operations Australia) in the Pacific. He states he used a false date of birth when he signed up with the Norwegian Merchant Navy and served on the vessel M T Marina for 7 months as Steering Quarter Master in 1942-43. I have all the details for the ship's voyages during WW2. Is there any way I can find out for certain if he served on that ship. Any assistance in locating a ship's crew list would be appreciated. Regards Bill Robb I have suggested the National Archives of Norway. My information about Marina can be found on this page. ------------------------------------------------- From: Sue Brooke M.S Brand Hi I am interested in finding out more about the Brand torpedoed on 12.5.43. My late father David Conway is listed as a survivor. I know the men were picked up and went to Ireland. Any info from relatives of the crew aboard either British or Norwegian would be useful and what happened to captain Helgesen? Thanks, Sue All the info I have on this ship can be found on my page about Brand. ------------------------------------------------- From: Benson Barr Crossing Equator I have my father's card certificate about crossing the equator while on board the USAT Torrens dated Nov 4, 1944 "while bound for the South Pacific on a MISSION OF WAR." Benson J. Barr Here's the Norwegian Torrens. ------------------------------------------------- From: Peter Searle Norbryn Hello, I tried to find your e-mail address on site but was not successful. So I communicate in this way to partially answer a question that you raised re a collision image of Norbryn. Apparently, in early June 1955, Norbryn approached a dock head-on at Quebec, Canada, with a pilot aboard. But fighting strong winds & a running tide it did not stop! It crashed into the dock, became suspended in mid air when the tide turned & was towed off by 4 tugs at the next high tide, with a 6 in. hole in her bow. As per this low at this ref. http://www.searlecanada.org/sunderland/sunderland033.html#dominionmiller where you can access a few words & an image ex Life Magazine of June 13, 1955. I have not found, however, the exact date of the incident. Peter Searle, A link to the picture referred to above can be found on my page about Norbryn. (My E-mail address is available at the end of this page). ------------------------------------------------- From: Hilary Stirling Visiting Kristiansand Hello Siri, Many thanks for the great work yuu are doing in helping people to keep in touch. (Hilary has now received the information she needs). ------------------------------------------------- From: Mr. Laurence Evans The steam ship Gudrun Hi, I have recently been reading my fathers handwritten accounts of his times at sea during WW2. He ran away to sea on the Gudrun after his mother had intervened and stopped him from trying to enlist in the Royal Navy and lying about his age!!! He was just 15 in 1939. He never forgot the Norwegian that he learned and to his dying day he just loved cauliflower cheese!!! Unfortunately he passed away on June 16th this year, 2010. I would be intersted to find out how long he served aboard the Gudrun and whether this entitled him to any formal recognition for his maritime service to Norway. Your sincerely, (I have suggested the National Archives of Norway - here is my page about Gudrun). ------------------------------------------------- From: Phil Harron Duala I am wishes to make contact with Anne whose husband escaped Pillau aboard the Duala as my Mother and Oma also did. Address has been passed on - here's the Norwegian Duala, but I believe the ship in question must have been another ship(?). ------------------------------------------------- From: Helge Berntsen D/S Kosmos II You are missing steward Johan Severin Karlsen among the crew casualites. See the Stavern memorials. Kosmos II is discussed on this page (and J.S. Karlsen is indeed included in the list, but among the passengers). ------------------------------------------------- From: Miklas Dronkers SKJOLD A Dutch postcard dated about 1905 showed the Norwegian steam ship SKJOLD, bringing softwood to the newsprint mills of Van Gelder Paper in Velsen (near Amsterdam). I tried to find out the origin of the ship and find a painting of definately the same ship on www.photoship.co.uk (Skjold-03 on page 19 of the ship names starting with Sa-Sk). My question: Is the ship on the postcard the same as listed in your website? (D/S Skjold Artur & Fred Kvamme, Lillesand, Built in Gothenburg 1875. Previous names: Sandefjord until 1880, Malangen until 1891.) The picture referred to in this message can be found on this external page. Here is the Norwegian Skjold built in 1875. ------------------------------------------------- From: Helge Berntsen M/S Danio The mentioned captain Hagvoll was Ernst Ingeberg Hagvoll from Dypvåg, born 25/9-1909. Here's my page about Danio ------------------------------------------------- From: Binth Rustad Ariadne & my parents Hello! My parents started a ski area at Lake Tahoe, CA USA called Granlibakken in 1947 and Kjell (Rusty) taught sailing on the lake for years. They divorced and later Kjell and his wife Jeannette retired to Carmel where he died in 1978. Marion remarried and died in Nantucket, MA USA in 1994. Thank you for doing this research for all of us and hope you received all the information you were looking for. Binth Rustad See Ariadne ------------------------------------------------- From: Helge Berntsen M/T "John P. Pedersen" In a footnote over casualties it is stated that the captain and the first engineer were brothers. This is incorrect. Hans Adolf Nilsen was from Flosta, son of Ole Jørgen Nilsen, while Nils Nilsen was from Dyvpåg, son of Nils Kristian Nilsen. Here's my page about John P. Pedersen. ------------------------------------------------- From: Rob DuBuc M/S Herstein I am researching info on M/S Herstein. Particularly if this ship was berthed in New Orleans prior to July/1940. (My page about Herstein can be found here). ------------------------------------------------- May 27 From: Victoria Olsen SS Lansing I'm trying to find out information about the SS Lancing and especially my great uncle Captain Oscar Olaffsen. Can you get me the e-mail address from this person who wrote on your site? Thank you very much. "Oct. 28 From: Jeanette Johnston Barnett SS Lancing 1918 My Dad (deceased in 1972) was a crew member of S S Lancing. He boarded it in Melbourne Australia. Shortly after, the captain (Olafsen) committed suicide. I have my father's log book in which he has some interesting notations as well as the Captain's suicide, which he notes as his being "well liked" and "a good man". I remember his many fondly remembered stories about Lancing and his time there. (This is not the Lancing discussed on my website)." The above is a quote from a previous Guestbook message ------------------------------------------------- From: Barbara Convoy information I traveled to the USA in convoy GUS-41 as a little girl, with my parents. We were passangers on a Liberty ship. I enjoyed reading the information you have on other GUS convoys near the same time. What a lot of work you have done. What a lovely site. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------- From: Lene Oline Sedolfsen Åge Sedolfsen Hi! I found my grandfathers name on this site. Åge Sedolfsen was captured on the ship Kattegrat. He died in my arms when I was 8 years old. If he still had been alive today, he had become 90 years old on 17. May 2010, but he just got to 67 before his heart stopped. He was the best grandfather a child can wish for. Thank you for creating this site! Lene Oline Sedolfsen Here's what I have about the capture of Kattegat, and here's a crew list. ------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Bradfield M/T Strix Hi! It's been awhile since I've contacted you. I have stumbled upon another photo of a ship you dont't have, the Motor Tanker Strix. It's at www.photoship.co.uk Respectfully, Steve Bradfield (Strix is discussed on this page). ------------------------------------------------- From: Patrick ww2 Just a few lines to thank you for the important job you do in keeping records of events that we should all learn about so that we never repeat the horrors of both ww. Well all wars. My grandfather died last week age 87 he served in the "Duke of Wellingtons reg" in ww2 and fought in France and North Africa where he was taken p.o.w to spend time in camps in Italy, Germany and in the end Austria. I enjoyed listening to his storys of the war even though it took alot of pleeding for him to talk to me about the events he went through as I've noticed most people from that period don't like talking about their experiences. I must say the men of the merchent marine of all allied countrys and ALL merchant marine men in the war were some of the bravest yet little rewarded men ever. It's only after listening to my grandad's storys that I have become interested in the war. I love the site you have made out of respect for your father and his time in the war and would really like to make one myself one day with all the letters and documents I have now after my grandad's passing. Keep up the good work and greetings from London. ------------------------------------------------- From: Barbara Quinn Australian Sailor Allan Charles Quinn Hi I have many photograph albums, documents, Swedish Seamans Union payment books & wage certificates all in immaculate condition and wondered if you knew of any organisation that would like to have them most are written in Swedish I think. Looking forward to hearing from you. Barbara Quinn ------------------------------------------------- From: Klaus Günther von Martinez Guestbook entry dated March 16 of J. Flanagan I assume the name of the ship in which John's father left Istanbul is "Phénix", not "Phoenix". The French tankship "Phénix" was on a voyage from Constantza to Marocco, when it was stopped at Istanbul by order of the French naval attaché because the danger of war with Italy. Following an agreement between the French and the British consul at Istanbul, "Phénix" was transferred under the British flag 21.06.40 and was managed by British Tankers Co. starting 31.07.41. "Phénix" discharged her cargo at different Turkish ports and managed to reach Alexandria. Regards (See the message below posted on March 16. I did contact J. Flanagan at the time and gave him the correct spelling of the ship. Also referred him to my page about Vilja, where the ship is mentioned). ------------------------------------------------- From: Klaus Günther von Martinez Jaspis A new French book (Jean-Yves Brouard, Guy Mercier, Marc Saibène, La Marine Marchande Francaise 1939 - 1945) says "Jaspis" was stopped by the French cruiser "Primauguet" near Teneriffa 03.04.40 (that is, as they write themselves, while Norway was still neutral) and brought to Casablanca. Might be the seizure was for trading with the enemy, because "Jaspis" has transferred her cargo of whaleoil in January at Las Palmas to the German tanker "Gedania" (according to Hans Jürgen Witthöft, Die deutsche Handelsflotte 1939 - 1945). She was taken over by the French at Casablanca 22.05.40 and managed by Cie. Auxiliaire de Navigation until 08.08.40. Laid up at Casa until 31.01.41. Then got a French crew (again?) (manager Cie. Auxiliare de Navigation) and departed Casa 23.02.41 for Bordeaux, where it was delivered to the Germans 04.03.41. The delivery to the Germans at a time when no other Norwegian ship was returned to it's owners (or delivered directly to the Germans) is - in my opinion - a point showing that "Jaspis" was a special case not comparable with the other Norwegian ships in French waters at the time of the armistice. Regards Here's my page about this ship. ------------------------------------------------- From: Morten Helliesen M/S Nordlys (H 67 B) Correction Hi, nice site. Just wanted to fill you in on some information. The British consul Spence on M/S Nordlys (H 67 B) and his wife had two daughters and one son, not three sons. The childrens names: Erna (my grandmother), Thomas and Kirsten Spence. Keep up the good work! Regards, Morten Helliesen Here's what I have about Nordlys ------------------------------------------------- From: Henry Soldal M/S Moldanger Excellent site! Sincerely, Moldanger is discussed on this page. ------------------------------------------------- From: Linda Danielsen Captain Hans Didrik Berginius Danielsen - Sjobris Someone asked about needing a picture of the ship "Sjobris". My grandfather was the Captain of the Sjobris during WW2 and here is a link to a picture of the boat. He also writes a very interesting story that was printed in "Lillesands Posten" after the war. Here are the two links - one a picture of the Sjobris and the other the one with the article which describes the Sjobris's adventures during the war. Sincerely, Here's my page about Sjøbris ------------------------------------------------- From: Peter D/S Senta You have some threads in Norwegian re above I think from family of the ships crew. If it is of any help today I found the graves of 3 of the crew killed in Cardiff Wales UK on 2 Jan 1941. I have photographs of the graves should they be wanted. Here's my page about Senta ------------------------------------------------- From: Gillian FitzGibbon "Warsailors" - Thalatta Greetings! I am at the beginning of an incredible research journey regarding my grandfather - Frederick FitzGibbon (father of Dr. Gerald M. FitzGibbon) with respects to the "Thalatta" and "Splice the Main Brace". My family have protected a few historical documents and a brief diary from the Thalatta - dates ranging from 1940, 1943 and finally 1945. Today I spent a number of hours in the research library at Canadian War Museum. I suppose in the grand scheme of the WW's the merchant ships, however important as they were; seem to be lost in the pages of today's history. Your site has provided me with more information than the museum did. Is there any more information or would you be able to coach me with my research? Sincerely, Gillian R. FitzGibbon (Here's my page about Thalatta). ------------------------------------------------- From: Hans Meyer Tanker "America"; Texaco Norway Ratingen, 06.04.2010 Dear Mr. Holm, Having just started the preparation work for a manuscript about the vessels handled by the former German yard Deutsche Werft AG during the period 1945 - 1967. Today I had had a look to "Norwegian Homefleet - Ships starting with A" and had found also information about the "America". I have now following additional remarks and comments: 1) The vessel was not renamed; during WW II it was listed in Germany as "America". 2) The vessel became seized as a prize by the German authoritiews 08.04.1942 (Sourec: E.Gröner; Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815 -1945) 3) The unfinished vessel became damaged 30.04.1945 in Hamburg but remained afloat 4) The vessel did never sail during WW II, because it remained unfinished until the end of WW II. 5) The vessel became fineshed by Deutsche Werft AG as Yard-Nr. 234 in 1946 and became delivered 01.10.1946 to Texaco Norway. (Source: Yards List of Newbuildings) 6) A sister vessel contracted by Texaco as Yard-Nr. 235, became built in 1950 as "Irland" for A/S Dansk-Franske D/S, Kopenhagen, after Texaco had canceled the contract. The yard used the material, main engines and other material already ordered in 1938/ 1939. I have a photo in my files, showing the unfinished "America" in summer 1945 in Hamburg. If You are interested for, please let me know. Best regards Hans Meyer My information about America can be found here. ------------------------------------------------- From: Scotti Johnson Høegh Silverlight during WWII in Pacific Your website is amazing. Just found it and am devouring all I can for clues to help me put together "the rest of the story" of my Aunt. She was a passenger on the Silverlight on two different trips. This included being on board in Cebu City in the Philippines on Dec.8, 1941 (Dec. 7th U.S. Pacific Time) when Manila was attacked. She left me her diary/memoir. The ship was to sail from the Philippines directly across the Pacific to San Francisco. Instead, the captain took the ship south, avoiding both Japanese & German war planes, and sailed as far as Australia with no orders or communication. The trip would take them three months and they ended up sailing around Cape Horn (So. America) through the Atlantic between So. America and Africa, thru the Caribbean reaching the U.S. at New Orleans in March 1942. I have a lot of detail that might interest others. I am looking for anyone with information about who the captain and crew was, and information about any of the other passengers (there were only seven). I would like more details about this harrowing journey. Here's my page about Høegh Silverlight, which includes a voyage record for the period in question. ------------------------------------------------- From: John McConkey Stan Simons/306 MSSU Hello, I wonder if you can put me in touch with Stan Simons who posted a message on Jan 20, 2009. He mentions the ship M.V. John Bakke took him from North Africa to Sicily during WW2 and that he was part of 306 MSSU. My father (LCpl Robert McConkey) was in AMES 6003 which worked with this unit and in fact arrived in Agusta Sep 2, 1942 possibly on the John Bakke. Address has been passed on. Here's my page about John Bakke (it'll be noticed that she was not in Augusta on Sept. 2-1942). ------------------------------------------------- March 31 From: Roger Brook SS Fort Kullyspell Has anyone a picture of this ship or one of the same class. (I suggested my Ship Forum). ------------------------------------------------- From: Lawrence Manson Maridal and Port Arthur, Texas, USA I see the article about the Maridal. My mother, an American nurse stationed in Port Arthur, Texas knew Jon Lindquist, Chief Engineeer, and Bjarrne ......... Chief Mate on the Maridal during World War II. In 1969, we visited them in Oslo. They were great gentlemen. My father was also on the Atlantic convoys in a British tanker. The British consolate in Port Arther was asked by the local government to help with allied sailors who had no where to go in port except for bars and were getting in fights and other trouble. The secretary of the consolate and some of the local girls, including my mother, started a respectable club for the allied sailors. My mother and father met there, and she also met Bjarne and Jon. I heard many storis of the Maridal, and it was a shock to see in Oslo, a painting Jon made of a tanker ship going down the ship channel in Port Arthur. I heard many stories about the Maridal and other ships from those days. Maridal is discussed on this page ------------------------------------------------- March 24 From: Mr. Glenn S. Johnson 1846 Norwegian men to Iowa Is there a pic .? of a boat Kong Sverre, for men and women bound for Huxley, Iowa to form a ELCA church Palestine Luthr. church I suggested he contact this website ------------------------------------------------- March 24 From: Mr G. Whitehead. Previous Posting. Firstly congratulations on a wonderful site. With reference to two earlier postings by Mrs Caroline Boon (6th June 2007) and (28th Sept 2008). I understand she was looking for information on her grandfather, Edward Joseph Boon, SS. Culebra. Sank by U-123, 25th January 1942. It may be of interest to her and her family, that I have come accross a photograph of the attack in progress by the U-boat. The photograph is taken from the bridge of U-123. I wonder if you could pass on this message and I would forward the photo on if she wishes. Kind Regards. Caroline Boon's address has been forwarded. ------------------------------------------------- From: Einar Haugland D/S Ruth 1's captain Einar Haugland Hello, Thank you for a very informative site about warsailors. I will use this forum to tell a bit about Einar Hauglands life after the maritime inquiry following the sinking of D/S Ruth 1 was held in Glasgow on Apr. 17-1944. Though he hadn't been home in Norway, where he had a wife and three children, since 1939 he continued his efforts for the Norwegian merchant fleet from Nortraships offices in London after D/S Ruth 1's sinking. He continued this work after the war from Nortraships offices in Oslo, where he and his wife stayed for some years before returning to their home at Toten which is situated on the shores of lake Mjøsa. After returning from Oslo he took commision as captain on Skibladner, now the world's oldest paddle steamer still in operation, operating at Mjøsa. Einar Haugland didn't suffer as much from psychological problems after the war as many of his fellow warsailors. He was angered though by the treatment and the lack of appreciation the warsailors received by the Norwegian government after the war. Because of his mastering of many different languages, aquired throug his many years at sea, and his easygoing personality he helped develop and maintain Skibladner as a popular turist attraction, allso for foreign tourists. He is considered the most legendary captain on Skibladner where he also met and entertained celebrities. Einar Haugland lived to become ninetyseven years old, and he skippered Skibladner well in to his eighties. Though having to live with memories of harch times during WW2, he didn't loose his love for the sea and I have many happy memories of visiting him at Toten and spending time at lake Mjøsa with him fishing or sailing dinghy. Here's my page about Ruth I. ------------------------------------------------- March 16 From: John Flanagan Norweigan ship interned in Instanbul late 39 to July 1940 My Father use to tell me of the time when on an Norweigan ship being chased by German, Italian, and allied forces in the Med, the skipper choosed neither side but made it to Neutral Turkey avoiding both forces, this would have been about the time Norway was invaded. I do have most of my late fathers discharge books. My father signed on a ship in Instanbul called the Phoenix on 21/7/1940 which sailed to Alexandria in Egypt, where after several months helping clean damaged warships, made it back to England, his discharge book of those events ie 1935 to 1940 are missing, he later served on the convoy ships to Russia ect dying in 1978 when he was in Turkey he said that there was an assination attempt on a German minister who was visiting Turkey at time of these events, Iwould like to find the name of this Ship. Thanking you. Yours respectfully (I suggested the National Archives in Norway for name of the Norwegian ship - otherwise unable to assist). ------------------------------------------------- From: Ron Murray Thermopylae Thank you for providing much needed information on the Thermopylae covering the 19th January 1942. My uncle recently died and we found a story he had written about his experience onboard the Thermopylae on that fateful day, he was one of the troops on board and was detailed to man the port Lewis gun and escaped on the destroyers last run alongside. Here's my page about Thermopylae ------------------------------------------------- March 9 From: Mats Nyberg ..abor Sandefjord? Hi! We have an old peace of wood with a name carved in. The wood is broken but it says "...abor * Sandefjord". The name plate is around 1 meter long and was found at Väddö, Sweden, Åland´s sea, many years ago. We are searching for the history behind the name plate and the ship. Can you help us futher in this? BR ------------------------------------------------- March 8 From: Richard Bond SS Wind Rush Looking for William Maynard, I have read his name before and would like to contact him. I am the grandson of Captain Terrance Bond. Master of the SS Wind Rush ca 1943-1945. I have numerous records and photos I would like to share. This refers to another Guestbook message on Page 6. Address has been passed on. ------------------------------------------------- March 3 From: Nils Nilsen Shame Most Norwegians dont't know about this shame in Norwegian history, probably because most of them dont have a relatives that did service during ww2. All in one, Norway has nothing to be proud of, Norway as a nation should be very much ashame. But a few of us know that there was a few good men and women, the men and women who did a difference, but also the men and women who Norwegian politicans eat alive to cover up their own cowardness and from who Norwegian politicans stole the honour they never earned. http://norvetnet.no ------------------------------------------------- March 3 From: Andre Schjaerve Ulf Larsen, Contributor to Wikipedia Article on Nortraship Hello Again. Do you by any chance have Ulf Larsen's e-mail address? I'm having difficulty tracking him down. Thanks, Andre Schjaerve (Address has been passed on). ------------------------------------------------- March 3 From: Andre Schjaerve Screenplay about Norwegian Merchant Marine Hi. Just want to thank Warsailors.com in helping with my research for a screenplay I'm writing for an American feature film. Logline: When an amateur movie cameraman wants to escape his tycoon father and become a professional cameraman in Hollywood, he gets captured in his escape attempt as a seaman by the Nazis and boomeranged to Occupied Norway only to encounter his father's involvement with the enemy. To get what he wants, he now needs to atone for the stolen diamond his father mailed him at The Port of New York by way of his femme fatale movie star aunt in neutral Sweden. Much of the story is inspired by historical fact including Sweden's most famous 40's femme fatale-actress Sonja Wigert. Researchers in Oslo have recently discovered some very interesting information about her relationships with my grandfather and with shipping magnate Anders Jahre. Both men were tried for treason after the war. A picture of the ship Aristophanes in which Anders partnered with Aristotle Onassis appears on Warsailors.com. Most people are not aware of Onassis' ties to Norway which began before the war with his fiancee Ingeborg Dedichen. Best Regards, Andre Schjaerve (Here is Aristophanes). ------------------------------------------------- From: Anthony Edman S.S. Veni I am just writing to say how much i appreciate this site. Veni is discussed on this page ------------------------------------------------- From: Ian Lambert HNoMS Rose and Buttercup WWII My father was an Englishman aged 19 who was posted to the HNoMS Rose K102 in 1943 (?) as the wireless operator. He was the only non-Norwegian crew member. Apparently colloquial English was a requirement of all allied ships' crews. He said he did get used to the diet of "fiskeballe" (spelling?) after a while and that after three days you could not continue to be sea-sick. He survived the sinking of the Rose and was on the HNoMS Buttercup (K193) when she sailed into Oslo harbour on 15 May 1945 (a date you record elsewhere). I have some pictures of the Radhusset (?) from that time. He also told me of visiting Svalbard and standing on the upturned hull of the German battleship Tirpitz in a fjord (Trondheim?), both presumably on the Buttercup. He had some good memories of crew-members especially a momento from Arne Olsen dated VE Dag 1945. I am listing his war medals on eBay ending 28.2.10, and may include his Norske Krigsmenn (1940) song book with them. Perhaps this entry will not be read until after that time. PS Does the logo "H7" on a round flattened wooden box have any particular significance (flotilla???). (Rose and Buttercup are both included on this website - here's Rose and here's Buttercup). ------------------------------------------------- Febr. 23 From: Kjell Mageroy ww2 Thank you for taking care of and spreading knowledge aboat the ww2 history and the connections between Shetland and Norway then. best regards ------------------------------------------------- From: Dan Craw M/S Torrens My wife's Uncle, Normann Anker Nilsen Aasheim, changed to Normann Anker Nilsen was in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. According to records I have found at Ancestry.com he was on the M/S Torrens when it pulled into San Francesco on 6 Sep 1944 from ports in New Zealand via Nouméa, New Caledonia. My wife's family knows that Norman was a boat captain, of a landing craft at Normandy, and then transferred to the Pacific. They know that while serving in the Pacific one of his ships came under Kamikaze attacks and that he was a boat captain of a landing craft at Iwo Jima. Information at http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/torrens.html states that the M/S Torrens came under Kamikaze attacks Oct. 21 1944. It is conceivable that Norman was still onboard and that this is the attacks that my wife's family knows about. There is a picture of the crew, some in uniform, at the above mention web site. There is a statement that the guys in uniform were gunners; is it possible that some were boat captains of the landing craft; did the M/S Torrens carry landing craft? When was this picture taken? The aboved mentioned web site states: (Unfortunately, all of her 1944 voyages are missing from the archive document - she had made another voyage from San Francisco to Noumea in Oct.-1943, leaving Noumea again for New Zealand on Nov. 11, and that's the last voyage listed, until Jan.-1945). I have saved a copy of the Crew List for the ships arrival in San Francisco on 6 September 1944. Let me know if you would like a copy; but I will need an email address to send it to. The picture and text extracts above can be found on my page about Torrens. ------------------------------------------------- From: Jim Payne Photos of U-boat attacks Hello I have just stumbled upon your website when researching an original WW2 Photo album within my collection. The owner served on U-108 under Kptlt Klaus Scholtz I have original photos of Norland under attack and sinking. Also photos of Effna coming under attack. There are photos in the collection which show a life boat alongside the u-boat with 14 people aboard. All Effnas crew were apparantly lost ..but Norlands crew survived. I have photos of the subs victims captain on the sub ..excellent photos ..do you have a photo of Norlands captain? (Here's my page about Norland). ------------------------------------------------- From: Peter & Margie CADDY M/T Hidlefjord An update to my previous entry. Bent Florenes and Margaret Isobel Smyth were married at St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore on 8th October 1940 and interesting was that Hans Gullestad, the Captain of the Hidlefjord was one of the witnesses at the wedding. (Ref. message at Febr. 9 below). ------------------------------------------------- From: Michael Sarratt Rustad, Kjell I found your site by searching for Kjell Rustad. I knew him after the war when he had relocated to the USA. He and my father became great friends. He and wife Marion lived at Lake Tahoe in the Sierra mountains of California where he built and operated a small ski resort called "Granlibakken." When I was a teenager, I worked for him at the ski hill and he told me the story of the sinking of the MS Ariadne and the cowardly strafing of the survivors by the Luftwaffe pilots, and many other stories as well. It was wonderful to see the photo of the ship and read your account of the sinking. He was a great character and much beloved locally for his influence on skiing. He was a consultant for the ski jumping competition at Squaw Valley during the 1960 Winter Olympics. In the mid 1970s he retired to Carmel, CA where he passed away some years later. I have some wonderful pictures of Kjell sailing on his boat on Lake Tahoe which I will share if you are interested. Yours truly, Here is my page about Ariadne. ------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Awarded BEM - (M/T RIGNOR) A bestowal award letter has been seen that gives light to the first names of He is named: An official letter dated 2nd September 1942 from the Admiralty, Whitehall signed by H. V. Markham. It is addressed to Marie Charles Antoine Thomas Hill, Esq., 41 Bickenhall Mansions, Gloucester, Place, W1. "I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to inform you that they have learned with great pleasure that, on the recommendation of the First Lord, the Prime Minister has obtained the King's approval for the Award to you of the British Empire Medal, Civil Divisions, for courage and good service in S.S. RIGMOR, under continuous and heavy air attack. This Award will not be published in the London Gazette". It is in its original envelope which has been redirected to "Commando Depot, Achnacussy, Speau Bridge, Inverness-shire. See the M/T Rigmor crew list. ------------------------------------------------- Febr. 12 From: Rachel S. Cox Convoy HX 139 I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have found your site. I am researching a book on the five Americans who joined the British army in June 1941--six months before Pearl Harbor--and went on to become, I believe, the first Americans to fight the Nazi army when they fought with the King's Royal Rifle Corps at the battle of El Alamein in North Africa. I am working from diaries and letters and had only approximate dates of their sailing from Halifax in mid July 1941. Thanks to your site, I now know which convoy they were in, how many other boats there were, etc. Still trying to determine which ship was theirs, but this feels like a huge step forward. Many thanks. To help narrow down the search, I referred Rachel to this page which is based on Arnold Hague's database and shows the ships that carried passengers in HX 139. I also pointed out that there were also the slower SC convoys, though in this particular period they originated in Sydney, C.B., rather than Halifax. The closest in date would be SC 37 and SC 38. The ships sailing in them are named on this page (again, based on A. Hague's database). ------------------------------------------------- Febr. 11 From: Leo Vossen Japanese merchant ships Hi there, The link referred to in this message goes to a site that is no longer available. I referred Leo to my Ship Forum, where he got more assistance. ------------------------------------------------- From: Peter Caddy Margaret & Bent Florenes Greetings, Just doing some family research on my wife's family and found your page on Norwegian ships of WW2. My wife (Margaret Caddy, nee SMYTH) lost her father's sister in WW2 on board the M/T Hidlefjord. She married Bent Florenes (Florenaes) in Singapore on 8th Oct 1940. Her maiden name was Margaret Isobel Smyth and according to our records she was born in Moonta (South Australia) on 17 March 1908. Do you have any other details and it would be interesting to trace the family of Bent in Norway. We actually have a small film of their Singapore wedding. Here's my page about Hidlefjord. I gave Peter a link to an online version of "Våre falne". If Bent Flørenes is listed there, his parents' names will be included. ------------------------------------------------- From: Morten Christiansen Golar Freeze Hei I was onboard Golar Freeze in Stavanger 1977. We was sailing to Singapore and from Singapore we was going to Indonesia, as far as i know the name of the harbor was Bin Tang. I was there for about 1 year. We sailed between Indonesia and Japan, Kobe, Nagasaki and Fukoka. I am born in Tvedestrand in 1960. So it was my fathjers cousin Egil Nylen getting me the job, wery nice of him. I also had a father who was sailing onboard Gotaas ship. Morten Christiansen Morten is referring to one of my father's ships. ------------------------------------------------- From: Tony Preece M/T Sveve Thank you for your website it is much appreciated. My grandfather was one of the British gunners aboard the Sveve when it was torpedoed. I can confirm he was William (Bill) Preece and not Pearce. Thanks again M/T Sveve is discussed on this page ------------------------------------------------- Febr. 8 From: Ørjan H. Johansen Son of a sailor Thanks a lot. I found som pretty interresting information on your web-sites on three boats my father sailed on: Lionel, Tai Yang and Nordland. (All these ships are included on this website - the easiest way to find them is through the Ship Index). ------------------------------------------------- Febr. 6 From: Bob Pearson M/S Bomma Dear Siri, I am shortly to have my book on the gold transport published in Norwegian. This is due out in April. Currently, I am working with the editor of Dinamo Forlag sorting the photos and whilst they are happy with the images they have asked me if I can obtain an image of the M/S Bomma. The only image I can find is on your Warsailors site, with the image credit to Fred Olsen. By chance, do you have a contact name at Fred Olsen whom I could approach for permission? Many thanks in advance for considering this request. Kind regards & best wishes, Bob Contact information has been provided. Here's my page about Bomma. ------------------------------------------------- From: Kathleen Winger Hermion, M.V. Kongsdal, MV Ora I have enjoyed your website very much. [My father Olav Rye winger sailed on board "Hermion" and after the war he stayed in Adelaide, South Australia]. You may therefore be interested in this extra information I have for you. Two other crewmen who sailed in WW2 on board Hermion also settled in Adelaide; they were Hans Knapstad and Sverre Anderson. I found a story that the ships Kongsdal and Ora were involved in a rescue of crew from S.S. Fort Buckingham in the Indian Ocean. Here are the details for you: Indian Ocean Rescue by Norman Gibson: "This is the story of my rescue together with 46 other men from one of five rafts in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was in February 1944. My ship, S.S. Fort Buckingham had been sunk..." http://sites.google.com/a/mercantilemarine.org/mercantile-marine/War-time-Stories/indian-ocean-rescue-by-norman-gibson Med vennlig Hilsen Hermion is on this page, here's Ora, and here's Kongsdal. ------------------------------------------------- From: Bjoern Pedersen VESTFOS You are asking a question under the pages for this vessel - built 1909 - whether her name is correctly spelt with one or two "s". Both alternatives are correct. Originally a FOSS (Norwegian waterfall) was spelt with only one "s". But then rules of writing changed, and Thor Thoresen also changed the names of his vessels from one single "S" to two "SS". This was in 1937. Quite often the photos of his elder vessels are from the period prior to 1937, wherefore the names are with one "S" Otherwise great compliments to your pages, they are becoming more and more well known in the world ship lovers community. Keep on the show. Best regards Bjoern See my page about Vestfos. ------------------------------------------------- Jan. 27 From: Andreas Vos Question were to search information I am searching after my grandfather that was a Dutch sailor from Rotterdam before the war. He was put in the German arbeits inzats and was forced to work on boats going to Norway and Finland between 1941-43. He did tours with a lasarettsschiffe going from Danzig in Germany past Norway to Petsamo in Finland were the boat collected German wonded and dead. He was on boats with Iron and Coal to Norway from Germany. He escaped to Sweden in the summer of 1943 jumping off a ship outside the westcoast of Sweden with 3 other Dutch sailors one drowned. His name is Mathijs Vos born 19 februari 1922 in Rotterdam died in 13 nov 1987 Åhus Sweden. I think it could have been on the Hansa Ships he was sailing and Iam trying to find out the names of the boats he was on to get maybe some pictures of them. Iam doing a book on the family history. My question to you is if you maybe know were I can look for information about personel on the Hansa ships or other German companys sailing on Norway during 1940-43? With friendly regards and thanks for a fantastic site on the internet (Andreas' address can be supplied). ------------------------------------------------- Jan. 25 From: Richard Olson Hello...a great website Good Morning: My name is Richard Olson and my wife Elena and I live in Upper Michigan. My maternal grandparents immigrated from Norway in Sept., 1901. GGM Bina Holing and her son Ottar Olsen-Heiberg (later Otto Holing).They left from Trondheim. An earlier ancestor, Johan Holing left in 1893. GGM Bina and GP Otto were from Aasen. My maternal grandmother, Emma Caroline Johnsen came from Skogn in 1906. She and GP Otto were married in Chicago in 1908. I later learned that GM Emma's father was a Captain in the Norwegian Merchant Marine. I myself have been in the U.S. Merchant Marine for 31 years, and am currently an officer on an ore ship on the Great Lakes. I did not know about my GGFather's Career until after I started sailing. My desire to sail was a mystery to my family until my Aunt Gertrude showed me a picture of "Grandfather Captain." My wife and I will be going to Norway this September and hope to find the family farm in Aasen. The only names I could get were Holinplads and Holing, farm #13. You have a great website and it is refrehing to see that someone is keeping alive the memories of "The 5th arm of Defense." Sincerely, Rick Olson ------------------------------------------------- From: Phil Wesby M T Petter . . . explanation of death on board Firstly let me compliment you for this fantastic website. The web pages are well written, easy to navigate and provide a rich amount of information. Very inspiring, thanks. I am writing in relation to this sentence on the page of MT Petter: "Sjøforklaringer fra 2. verdenskrig" indicates that Petter had a death on board on March 8-1942 when on a voyage Falmouth-Aruba. In fact, the external site below has her listed as bound for Aruba in Convoy OS 21 in this period (convoy left Liverpool March 4, arrived Freetown March 24). No further details are available other than the fact that it looks like an inquiry was held in Cape Town on May 15-1942 (I cannot find any casualties from Petter commemorated at the Stavern Memorial)". I was privileged to meet one of the sailors of M T Petter, now in his 80s. He still lives in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK and became one of the most famous Shakespearean actors - particularly for his role as Richard III who played on stage with Dame Judy Dench many a time. When war broke out, like many 15 year olds, he pretended he was old enough but was rounded up with hundreds of others and told he was too young to join the Navy. The Norwegian Merchant Marine did take him however and he served on MT Petter. He told me some amazing stories of being in the convoys. I came across the 'death on board' story after he had told me what happened. Evidently there had been a U Boat attack near to Aruba and the Captain was keen to keep the ship underway at full speed but this was not to be. At one point, the ship's cook suddenly 'lost it' and jumped off the back of the ship. The Captain then - against his better judgement - decided they would stop and try to pick him up. The ship was stopped and a boat lowered to row out to get the man. Unfortunately, before they could reach him he was taken by sharks. It took the crew almost 48 hours to restart the engines. This was a worrying time for all. This is probably why he does not appear on the Stavern Memorial. See my page about Petter. ------------------------------------------------- From: David Anderson m/s John Bakke What can you tell me of the maiden voyage of the (third) m/s John Bakke in 1929? There is an Arne Lönning (1909-1929) buried in the Multnomah Park Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. His marker say: "Erected by Officers & Crew Norwegian m/s John Bakke". Here's my page about John Bakke, but I'm afraid I know nothing about her maiden voyage. I've suggested the National Archives of Norway for info on Arne Lønning. ------------------------------------------------- Jan. 16. From: George Rodriguez Ole Jacob / Benno Hi dear, my name is George Rodriguez, 59 years old, I am original from Spain, concretely from the stream North West of Spain in Galicia, a place named Puerto de Cariño where the tanker Ole Jacob, Renamed Benno was sunk, bombarded by the RAF on the 24 December 1941 at 15-45 hours, I remember its debris taking to shore from the sea bed when I was 8 years old. Now I have been leaving in London since 1974. I have some details on Ole Jacob, but am afraid I can't help with more info on Benno and the attack on her. I've suggested my Ship Forum. ------------------------------------------------- From: Lindsey D/S Germa - convoys Thank you for all the information you put on your site about the D/S Germa and the convoys she took part in. My grandfather was Captain Olaf Johan Gerrard and he was the Captain of D/S Germa during WW2. I have learned more about his activities during WW2 from you than I did when he was alive. He died in 1958. Thank you once again for sharing this site with others. Here's my page about Germa ------------------------------------------------- Jan. 13 From: Robert Klinkert Shiplosses WW1 & 2 I found your website helpfull, to find some of the names of masters of ships sunk during WW2, the information could be more complete if you added code letters and yard numbers of the ships. So far I have not come acros a complete listing of ships sunk, owners, captains, builders, port of departure, and destination, cargo, cause of loss, name of sinking agent, name of commander, number of warpatrol, german mapcode, position, convoy, tonnage, year build, port of registry, fishing vessel number, ex names. My own list includes all that information, as far as I have found it. And I am still adding information every day. R.Klinkert What follows has been taken from my main page: ------------------------------------------------- From: Tony Hofsten Research on my father Your site has been very helpful for me to find info on my father, Haakon Werner Hofsten, who sailed on these ships, Belinda, Mosfruit (when it was sunk), Somerville, Gausdal, Evanger & Temeraire. I have ships pay books and various documents showing the ships and your site enabled me to find out about the voyages. Sadly he died in 1996. many thanks All the above ships are discussed on this website - the easiest way to find them is through the Master Ship Index. ------------------------------------------------- Jan. 7 From: Vigdis Sælid Thorbjørn Kristiansen He was my mothers cousin, born about 1920, in Larvik, Norway. I think he might be dead, but we know he had a son with the same name, age about 60 now. We have heard that they lived in Brooklyn, New York. If anyone know anything, please contact me. Regards Vigdis' address can be provided through me (contact ddress at the bottom of this page). Not sure which Thorbjørn Kristiansen she's referring to - this name shows up in various places on this website. ------------------------------------------------- Name: Brandi Murray Victor Haggith, deckboy, Norland My Grandma's brother was the deckboy on the Norland. I only knew a bit of the story of my Great Uncle, that he'd lied about his age, and had run off to join the Merchant's instead of going to school one day! Sold his bike and used the money to to telegram his Mother, "Gone to sea to avenge the Hood. Vic." On a whim, I typed his name in and found this site. I can't wait to show my Grandmother! She'd always been so proud of him. I think Vic was torpedoed again (I know was at least twice) and finally they found that he's lied about his age, and sent him around the world as "the boy hero" to sell war bonds. In later years he settled in Australia, acted and I believe had a morning show. If you wish, I'll send some more photos of him selling war bonds. Thanks for the site, keeping these vanishing stories alive. Here's my page about Norland. ------------------------------------------------- From: Michael Meras SS Björnvik Hi My interest in SS Björnvik is that the Ministry of War Transport listed the UK agent as the British Channel Island Shipping Company Limited. I've been writing a book on the history of the BCIS company (my Father was a Master) The following is taken from the PROTOCOL for MARITIME DECLARATIONS dated the 10th March 1942 by the two Norwegian survivors at the Norwegian Consulate General in London: Leaving Cardiff's Briquette Work's quay on Tuesday 26th January 1942 the vessel was fully loaded and went over the grange‚ to be de-gaused. The vessel then anchored in the Berry Roads for the night, so to join convoy WP103 in the morning. On Wednesday 27th of January the vessel joined the convoy travelling from Newport to Fowey, Southampton. By 7pm the Björnvik was one mile astern of this convoy due to low steam pressure and bad weather, and by midnight the convoy had been lost. Thursday the 28th was spent trying to catch up with the convoy. Passing Cape Cornwall, about mid-day, two English airplanes flow over the ship. By 18:30 German planes had attacked, dropping one near miss and four bombs that exploded in the ship. Within a short space of time the Björnvik sank very quickly taking a majority of the crew and the cargo of 812 tons of coal to the sea bottom. Three survivors stayed on a raft for 17 hours and were then rescued by the Dutch motor vessel Rika and landed at Falmouth, Cornwall. List of the 15 missing crew members (R.I.P), five foreign, from a list compiled on the 20 January 1942: Also the bomb that was de-fused at Dartmouth was an aerial torpedo and the seaman that died was holding the detenator (Lloyd's Weekly Casualty Reports 1942). Please send me a blank email and I'l return with my written story (its not as well written and in detail as yours). Yours is a great web site. Kind regards Michael Meras (See my page about Bjørnvik). |
