Pre War History:

Delivered on May 28-1891 from Laxevaag Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri, Laksevåg, Bergen as Vøringen to Hardanger Søndhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen. Steel hull, 166,4’ x 23,6’ x 12’, 418 gt, Tripple Expansion 495ihk, 11 knots. Constructed by Randulf Hansen, especially designed to look attractive for the tourist traffic in Hardanger and was painted white (Randulf Hansen was famous for his beautiful ships - he also constructed Britannia and Dronningen). Placed in regularly scheduled service Bergen-Hardanger. Sank at Vågen, Bergen in 1894 while bunkering coal, raised and repaired, minor damage. Electric light installed in 1908, new boiler in 1909. Ran aground in Alholmsundet near Terøy on Oct. 10-1912, refloated but leaking heavily and sank alongside quay in Ølve, raised and repaired. Rebuilt in 1925, 510 gt. In Oct.-1930 the company changed its name to Hardanger Sunnhordlandske Dampskibsselskab, Bergen.

WW II:

The Germans wanted to requisition Vøringen for use as accommodation vessel in May-1940, but the company managed to prevent this from happening by claiming she was not in order, and they picked another ship instead (Hardangerfjord). In an effort to prevent further attempts from the Germans, she was laden with miscellaneous equipment and laid up in Ørjehamn as "warehouse", but in Apr.-1941 she was found and requisitioned by German authorities and used as transport, having been fitted with anti aircraft guns.

POST WAR:

Found in Narvik in May-1945 in a bad state of repair. Used for a couple of voyages with food for the allies in the North of Norway. Arrived Bergen on May 27-1945, repaired. On Nov. 29-1945 she had her first voyage to Hardanger, painted black at the time (painted white again in 1947). Laid up for sale in Nov.-1950. Sold in May-1951 to unknown Belgian breakers and departed Bergen on May 25.

Back to Vøringen on the "Homefleet Ships starting with V" page.

(Info from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: "Fjordabåten" by Dag Bakka Jr., 1994, "Over Fjord og Fjell, HSD 1880-1980", Bård Kolltveit 1980 and "Bergenske Fjordabåter", Dag Bakka Jr. for Bergens Tidende 1974).

The company later had another ship by this name - see Vikingen.