Tonnage: 469 gt
Dimensions: 159.9' x 23.7' x 11.9'
Machinery: Tripple Expansion 111nhp
Delivered in Nov.-1907 from Trondhjems Mek. Verksted as Ullensvang to Hardanger Søndhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Steel hull, dimensions and machinery as above. Placed in the company's regularly scheduled passenger/cargo/mail service Bergen-Hardanger. Rebuilt in 1926 (well enclosed). In Oct.-1930 the company's name was changed to Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen.
When the big explosion occurred in Bergen on Apr. 20-1944 (see
D/S Rogaland for more details)
Ullensvang was at Holbergskaien, as were
Stord and
Aalvik. All 3 vessels were badly damaged in the explosion; among other damages
Ullensvang's wheelhouse was blown away and all glass on board was broken. In order to get her out of the fire danger among the buildings around Holbergskaien
Ullensvang's Captain
Lund, together with
Stord's Mate
Fleten managed to get both ships out into the fjord, with
Aalvik in tow.
Ullensvang subsequently underwent repairs until Jan.-1945, and some sources say she was requisitioned that same month by the NS government (headed by Quisling) for one voyage Tromsø-Trondheim during the evacuations of the North of Norway. However, this appears to be incorrect - this voyage took place in Dec.-1944, according to an E-mail received from one of the evacuees, who remembers the voyage well.
Back in her regular passenger/cargo service in 1945. Laid up as "reserve" vessel in 1950. Renamed
Ullensvang 2 in Jan.-1952, as the company then had a new ship which was to have her old name. Sold shortly afterwards to Salzaete, Belgium for breaking up, departing Bergen on Febr. 22, arriving Bruges on the 26th.
Related external link:
Norway's Liberation
(All details on this ship received from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: "Fjordabåten", Dag Bakka Jr. 1994 and "Over Fjord og Fjell, HSD 1880-1980", Bård Kolltveit 1980).
