NS = the ship was included in Nortraship's register.

Pre war history: Delivered in March-1913 from Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co., Newcastle (849) as Kim to D/S A/S Kim (P. Johannesen), Tønsberg, steel hull, 5857 gt., 3343 net, 11 000 tdwt, 457' x 57.7' x 24.7', tripple expansion 484 nhp (North Eastern Mar. Eng. Co., Ltd.), 9 knots. Used in the ore trade from Canada. Purchased by D/S A/S Balto (B. Stolt-Nielsen), Haugesund in Oct.-1917, renamed Balto. From 1924, D/S A/S Balto (B. Stolt Nielsen & Co.), Haugesund. Company went bankrupt that year, sold in Nov.-1924 to D/S A/S O. A. Knudsen (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund and renamed Suderøy. Owning company changed its name to Hvalfanger-A/S Suderøy in 1929 (whaling co. - same manager), and the ship converted to floating factory at Kaldnes Mek. Verksted, Tønsberg, 6268 gt, new engine, 711 nhp; delivered in Sept.-1929 as whale factory Suderøy. Catching in the Antarctic. In-between seasons she stayed at Garpeskjærskaien in Haugesund, and the yearly overhauls before departure to the Antarctic was done by Haugesund Mek. Verksted A/S, Haugesund, except for docking which was typically done at Rosenberg Mek. Verksted, Stavanger, Götaverken in Gothenburg, Sweden, or Wilton Fijenoord, Schiedam. Departed for the Antarctic for the 1929/1930 season in Sept.-1929, with whale catchers Suderøy I, Suderøy II, Suderøy III and Suderøy IIII (the latter was lost already on Oct. 5 in Uruguay when en route to the Montevideo field). At season's end, Suderøy left the herding grounds on Apr. 9-1930, arriving Tønsberg in May, where the majority of her crew paid off (the whale catchers had meanwhile been laid up in Cape Town). Arrived Haugesund in June.

For the 1930/1931 season in the Antarctic she departed on Aug. 20-1930 with whale catchers Suderøy I, Suderøy II, Suderøy III, Suderøy IV and Suderøy V - heading home in Apr.-1931. Laid up in Haugesund during the 1931/'32 season (the supply of whaleoil being greater than the demand, with resulting low prices), and also during the 1932/'33 season. For the next season (1933/'34), she again had Suderøy I, Suderøy II, Suderøy III, Suderøy IV and Suderøy V in company, back in Haugesund on May 11-1934 where the majority of her crew paid off, proceeded to Copenhagen on May 12 in order discharge the whaleoil. While at Haugesund Mek. Verksted A/S, Haugesund on July 18-1934 there was an accident on board and 3 men died from gas poisoning. Rebuilt at Rosenberg Mek. Verksted, Stavanger in 1934, 6198 gt. Departed for the 1934/'35 season on Aug. 29-1934 - same catchers as for the last season, ditto for the 1935/'36 season, but during the 1936/'37 season she had Suderøy I, Suderøy II, Suderøy IV, Suderøy V and Suderøy VI with her. Between Apr.-1937 and June-1937 she made some voyages as a tanker. Rebuilt in 1937 at NV Amsterdamsche Droogdok, Amsterdam, 7592 gt (boilers converted to oil fuelling), delivered in Aug.-1937, catching in the Antarctic in the 1937/'38 and 1938/'39 seasons (with Suderøy I, II, IV, V and IV).

Her voyages are listed on these original images from the Norwegian National Archives:
(unfortunately, some of the documents are torn)
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6

Please compare the above voyages with Arnold hague's voyage Record on Suderøy - Page 2, which includes convoy information (link opens in a new window for easy, side-by-side comparison).

WW II:
For information on voyages made in between those mentioned here, please see the documents received from the National Archives of Norway and A. Hague's Voyage Record. It'll be noticed that some of the dates in this narrative are slightly different from those found on the archive documents. Follow the links provided for more convoy information; escorts' reports and/or the Commodore's notes are also available for some of them and several Norwegian ships took part.

Suderøy departed Haugesund for the Antarctic on Oct. 2-1939 with the whale catchers Suderøy I, II, IV, V, and VI, as well as the hired Star XVI, sailing north to Runde, then westwards between the Faroe Islands and Iceland before heading south (this was in order to avoid the minefields and U-boat danger in the North Sea). She was stopped by a British cruiser on Oct. 3, but was soon allowed to proceed. Suderøy headed to Curacao for bunkers, while the catchers continued to Fenando Noranna, Brazil to wait for the factory. Last stop before arriving the herding grounds was Montevideo. On completion of the 1939/1940 season in March.-1940, Suderøy, with catchers Suderøy IV, V, VI* and Star XVI headed for Montevideo, then to Curacao, arriving Willemstad for bunkers in Apr.-1940 (see also Page 1), leaving again on Apr. 6 together with Kaia Knudsen (same company) which they had met at Curacao. The latter was en route to Norway with fuel oil. The ships had been ordered by Naval authorities at Kingston, Jamaica to follow the U.S. and Canadian coast to New Foundland before turning east across the Atlantic towards Finnmark.

* It's believed that the other 2 catchers probably went straight to Cape Town to be laid up till the next season, however, this does not quite match up with the voyage records for Suderøy I and Suderøy II further down on this page; it looks like they both accompanied the others to Hampton Roads and Halifax first - see next paragraph.

Upon hearing of the German invasion of Norway on Apr. 9, Suderøy's Captain Øistein Kolstø conferred with the skippers of the 4 whale catchers and the captain of Kaia Knudsen, and they decided to head to Hampton Roads to await turn of events. On arrival there, they contacted British authorities who sent them to Halifax for further orders, together with the Norwgian Pelagos and the Sir James Clark Ross expeditions. Shortly afterwards she came under Nortraship control. Suderøy arrived Halifax with the whale catchers on Apr. 23-1940, and the majority of her crew paid off (later trained at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and subsequently served in the Norwegan Navy or in the merchant fleet as gunners). For info, Suderøy was scheduled for the Halifax-U.K. Convoy HX 39 on Apr. 30 but did not sail - there's a note in the Advance Sailing Telegram for this convoy saying simply "to remain at Halifax". She went to New Orleans on Nov. 8 (again, compare w/Page 1) in order to discharge her whale oil then continued to Mobile, Alabama for docking and overhaul. Chartered to Sinclair Oil Inc., Houston, TX in Dec.-1940 for 6 voyages Houston-Cinfuegos, Cuba, departing Mobile for Houston on Dec. 14. On completion of the 6 voyages for Sinclair Oil, Suderøy remained in Cinfuegos to clean her tanks. The plan was to use her for catching sperm whales off Peru and Chile, but Nortraship could not find whale catchers to go with her, so this did not come to pass. She subsequently proceeded to New York for installation of armament, a 4" gun and 4 Oerlikons being installed, and the wheel house protected by cement, before heading to Curacao to pick up a cargo of whale oil for the U.K. for the Ministry of War Transport. (It'll be noticed that the archive document lists the voyage to Curacao prior to the trip to New York - from New York, she proceeded to Halifax on May 14-1941 in order to join a convoy to the U.K.). She then sailed as a regular tanker in North Atlantic convoys, making 25 such voyages.

With a cargo of whale oil, Suderøy is listed among the ships in Convoy HX 128 from Halifax on May 20-1941. However, she lost touch with the convoy on May 25 and appears to have returned to Halifax, because she shows up again in the next convoy on May 27, HX 129. Towards the end of June we find her, together with Kollskegg and Mosli, in Convoy OB 339, which departed Liverpool on June 26 and arrived Halifax on July 12. See the external link to this convoy provided within A. Hague's Voyage Record. From Halifax, she proceeded to Curacao and Aruba, before returning to Halifax in order to join Convoy HX 144 back to the U.K. on Aug. 10, with 3 passengers on board. The Norwegian Polartank, Orwell, Hallanger, Eidanger, Havprins, Grena, Evanger, Norse King, Vinland, Sommerstad and Ranja are also included. Suderøy later joined the westbound North Atlantic Convoy ON 18, departing Liverpool on Sept. 19. She arrived New York on Oct. 7, the convoy having been dispersed on Oct. 2 (Page 1). According to Arnold Hague, she returned to the U.K. with Convoy HX 155*. Fenja, Hada County, Høegh Scout, Olaf Bergh, Slemdal and Stiklestad are also listed in this convoy, which left Halifax on Oct. 16 and arrived Liverpool on the 31st; Suderøy stopped at Clyde, Oct. 30 (Page 2). She had cargo of fuel oil and also had 6 passengers on board. She subsequently headed back to New York with Convoy ON 36, which originated in Liverpool on Nov. 13 - Suderøy joined from Clyde. Montbretia and Eglantine are named among the escorts; the Commodore's narrative is also available. She became a straggler from this convoy on Nov. 24, but arrived New York safely on Dec. 2. Later that month, she joined Convoy HX 167, which left Halifax for the U.K. on Dec. 27-1941.

In Jan.-1942, she shows up in the westbound Convoy ON 58*, which originated in Liverpool on Jan. 20 but returned the following day due to bad weather. She subsequently joined ON 60*, originating in Liverpool on Jan. 26 (Suderøy sailed from Clyde), arriving Halifax on Febr. 15 - Suderøy, however, was bound for Curacao, where she (according to A. Hague) arrived Febr. 17, having been detached from the convoy on Febr. 5. Both these convoys had several Norwegian ships, namely Bronxville (aground - follow link for details), Fagersten, Lisbeth, Maud and Rena in ON 58, for which Acanthus and Montbretia (the latter also ran aground) are named among the escorts (see ON convoy escorts), and Aust, Fagersten, Henrik Ibsen, Inger Elisabeth, Ledaal, Lisbeth, Rena (the latter 2 returned again) and Selbo in ON 60. In March that year, Suderøy is listed in Convoy SC 74 from Halifax, bound for Glasgow, station 52, returning with Convoy ON 90*, which originated in Liverpool on Apr. 28 and arrived Halifax on May 15; this time, she was bound for New York, arriving there on May 18 (having sailed from Clyde Apr. 28). She had again been in the company of several Norwegian ships, namely Aun, Bjørkhaug, Borgholm, Heimgar, Lido, Lisbeth (returned), Nea, Norjerv, Norvarg, Rio Verde, Selbo, Snar, Velox and Ørnefjell. Suderøy's subsequent voyages are shown on Page 2, but unfortunately the document is very torn - however, see A. Hague's Voyage Record, which also provides some convoy information.

Carrying fuel oil and barges, Suderøy headed back to the U.K. on July 17 in the slow Convoy SC 92 from Sydney, C.B. Her destination is given as Avonmouth, where she arrived, via Belfast Lough and Barry Roads, on Aug. 1. About a week later she's listed, with destination "New York for Curacao" (3 passengers), in the westbound Convoy ON 120* (departure Liverpool Aug. 8, dispersed Aug. 27). Aun, Borgfred, Fjordheim, Måkefjell and Solitaire are also named in this convoy. From Page 3, we learn that Suderøy started out from Milford Haven on Aug. 7 and arrived New York on Aug. 30, Curacao on Sept. 14 - again, please go to A. Hague's Voyage Record for convoy information for these voyages, as well as some subsequent voyages (back to New York). The following month, she witnessed the battle for Convoy SC 104*, discussed under D/S Fagersten and D/S Senta, which were sunk. (Convoy departed New York Oct. 3, arrived Liverpool Oct. 21 - Suderøy stopped at Clyde that day). Other Norwegian ships in SC 104, which had Acanthus, Eglantine, Potentilla and Montbretia among the escorts for a while (see SC convoy escorts), were Bernhard, Bonde (returned), Boreas, Garnes, Gudvor, Inger Lise, Ingerfem, Lido, Nea and Vinga. Another whale factory, Southern Empress (British, but with mostly Norwegian crew) was lost, but Suderøy was unharmed and took on the task of hospital ship. Towards the end of the battle the escorting corvette Potentilla had picked up over 90 survivors from rafts, debris and various ships; several were injured. In spite of the difficult conditions about 70 were transferred to Suderøy, while 21 injured were kept on board Potentilla, under the care of a doctor who had been rescued from Southern Empress. There's more on this battle on my page about Potentilla and at the external links provided at the end of this narrative.

Along with Bencas (joined from Halifax), Bestik, Borgfred, Cetus, Ingertre, Minister Wedel, Norlom, Orwell and Titanian, Suderøy now joined Convoy ON 144*, in order to return to New York (convoy departed Liverpool Nov. 7, arrived New York Nov. 27 - she had sailed from Clyde Nov. 7 and the archive document gives her arrival New York as Nov. 29). Eglantine, Montbretia (sunk) and Potentilla were again among the escorts for a while, as was Rose; follow the link above to my page about Monbretia for more details on the passage of this convoy, which also lost several ships. Having remained in New York for about a month, Suderøy proceeded to Aruba and Curacao on Dec. 26-1942. Again, please go to A. Hague's Voyage Record for information on some further convoy voyages in this period and compare them with Page 3.

On Febr. 23-1943, we find her in the New York-U.K. Convoy SC 121, which also lost several ships, including the Commodore Vessel Bonneville - follow the links for details. See also the analysis of attacks. With Askepot, Astrid, Harpefjell, Ingerfire (sunk - again, follow link for more info), Norhauk and Ravnefjell, Suderøy subsequently went back in the other direction with Convoy ONS 2*, which originated in Liverpool on March 28 and arrived Halifax on Apr. 19. No destination is given for her on that occasion, but when going back to Page 3 of the archive documents, we learn that she arrived New York on Apr. 22, proceeding to Baltimore the next day, remaining there for a month. In June, she's listed in Convoy SC 133 from Halifax, then in July she joined the westbound Convoy ONS 12*, together with Fana, Garnes, Gausdal, Hjalmar Wessel, Iron Baron, Mui Hock, Norvarg, Para (collided, returned), Petter II and Tropic Star (from Liverpool July 3, to Halifax July 18 - Suderøy was bound for New York, arriving there on the 21st - see Page 3). On Aug. 9, I have her in Convoy SC 139 from Halifax (A. Hague says she had 56 passengers), and at the end of that month she returned across the Atlantic with Convoy ONS 17* in order to head back to New York, where she arrived Sept. 19 - her voyages in this period are shown on Page 4. Evanger (Commodore Vessel), Fernbank and Grey County are also listed in this convoy, while Potentilla and Rose are named among the escorts (see ONS convoy escorts). On Sept. 28, she's listed in Convoy SC 143 from Halifax, returning in Convoy ONS 21*, which also had Ferncliff, Gausdal, Henrik Ibsen, Maud, Norhauk, Para, Petter II and Sommerstad in its ranks. The convoy left Liverpool on Oct. 22 and arrived Halifax on Nov. 5. Suderøy, however, was again bound for New York, where she arrived Nov. 8, remaining for a month. Her last Trans-Atlantic voyage that year was made in Convoy SC 149 from Halifax on Dec. 15.

In Jan.-1944, we find her, with Ferncliff, Fjordheim, Iron Baron (returned), Maud, Norse Lady, Orwell, Petter II, Stirlingville and Vinland, in the westbound Convoy ONS 27* (departure Liverpool Jan. 13). Suderøy is listed as Commodore Vessel, but she returned to port, subsequently joining Convoy ONS 29*, which originated in Liverpool on Febr. 12 and arrived Halifax on the 29th; no destination is given for Suderøy, but according to Page 4 above, she arrived New York March 4, having joined from Clyde. Atlantic, Geisha (Commodore Vessel), Heimgar, Iron Baron, Nordanger, Norfalk, Ruth I, Tercero and Vav are also named, and Acanthus, Eglantine and Rose were again among the escorts for a while.

Suderøy's subsequent voyages are shown on Page 4, Page 5 (it'll be noticed that she had a long stay in New York in the fall of 1944, with another long stay in Halifax in the summer/fall of 1945) and Page 6 - convoy information for some of these, as well as for voyages made in between those noted in this narrative, can be found in A. Hague's Voyage Record.

She took part as transport for the Sir James Clark Ross whaling expedition to the Antarctic in the winter of 1945 (the only Norwegian expedition in the 1944/'45 season).

* The ON and ONS convoys 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 and on the page for ships in all ONS convoys. The entire SC series and HX series will also be updated and completed (including the already existing convoys - some have already been updated), but for now, please see ships in all SC convoys and ships in all HX convoys.

More details on the Norwegian ships mentioned here can be found with the help of the alphabet index at the end of this page, or go to the Master Ship Index.

POST WAR: Returned to owners in Halifax in Oct.-1945 and subsequently returned to whale catching, having been fitted out while in Halifax - as can be seen when going back to Page 5, she had arrived Halifax on July 31 and departure is given as Oct. 28. The Suderøy expedition departed New York on Nov. 1-1945, consisting of the factory, the catchers Suderøy IV, V, VI, VII and VIII (the latter 2 had been hired by the Norwegian State - see * under "Other ships with the Suderøy name" at the end of this page), stopping at Curacao for bunkers. Arrived the herding grounds on Dec. 20 for the 45/46 season, then continued catching for the next 4 seasons. Extensively modernised in Bremen in the summer of 1950, new boilers - delivered in Sept.-1950. Last season in the Antarctic 1958/1959, returned to Haugesund in May-1959, laid up at Garpeskjærskaien. Sold in Sept.-1959 to Norges Hvalfangstforbund, Sandefjord en bloc with 6 whale catchers and equipment (Suderøy XI, XII, XIV, XV, XVI and XVII - again, ref. "Other ships with the Suderøy name"), then laid up in Gonvik near Sandefjord. Sold in Dec.-1961 to Anders Jahres Rederi A/S, Marian A/S & Toba A/S (Anders Jahre), Sandefjord and renamed Jalinga. The intention was to fit her out for catching sperm whales off Equador, but she remained laid up at Gonvik. Sold in May-1964 to Eisen & Metall AG, Hamburg for breaking up, arriving Bremerhaven in tow of German tugs on May 29-1964, broken up.

See also Arnold Hague's Voyage Record

Related external links:
Camp Norway - Lunenburg

Group Wotan and the Battle for Convoy SC 104 - A section of Rob Fisher's Home Page.

SC-104, 12 - 16 Oct 1942

Convoy ON(S) 144 battle

(Misc. sources, including "Våre gamle skip" Leif M. Bjørkelund and E. H. Kongshavn, E-mails from R. W. Jordan, and info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy by Dag Bakka Jr. in "Skipet" 1.89, "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., - Høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002, "Hvalfangsten, - Eventyret tar slutt" by Dag Bakka Jr. 1992, and article about Suderøy's war service by Leif M. Bjørkelund in Skipet 4.91).

Pre war history: Delivered in Jan.-1925 from A/S Jarlsø Verft, Tønsberg (12) as whale catcher Lobito to Hvalfanger-IS Praia Amelia (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund. Steel hull, 112.2' x 23.1' x 13.2', 220 gt, Tripple Expansion (Fredrikstad Mek. Verksted) 112nhp. Catching off the coast of West Africa for the land station Praia Amelia near Mossamedes in Angola. Owned from Aug.-1929 by Hvalfanger-A/S Suderøy (same managers), renamed Suderøy I, catching for owner's whale factory Suderøy listed above.

WW II: See Suderøy above for early war details. Suderøy I and Suderøy II (next on this list) were probably laid up in South Africa upon completion of the 1939/1940 season to await the subsequent season (however, catching did not resume until after the war). As mentioned in my narrative for Suderøy above, it's believed that these 2 catchers were sent straight to Cape Town at the end of the season, but as can be seen on the archive documents showing their voyages, it looks like they both accompanied the factory and the other whale catchers to Norfolk and Halifax in Apr.-1940. Suderøy I also came under Nortraship's control at that time.

Requisitioned by South African Navy on Nov.23-1942 for use as minesweeper (in South African waters) and renamed T 55 Parktown.

POST WAR: Returned to Nortraship in April-1946. Did not resume catching for the Suderøy expedition and was probably sold by 1947. As per 1949 owner was Union Marine Contractors Ltd., Cape Town, South Afrika. Converted to salvage vessel, entering service in that capacity that same year as Suderoy I. Sold in 1954 to Constructional Steel & Machinery Co., Cape Town for breaking up.

(From T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: Article about the Suderøy expedition in "Skipet" 1.89 by Dag Bakka Jr., and "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002).

Built in Porsgrunn 1925. Previous names: Margarita Mollins until 1928, Mossamedes until 1929.

Pre war history: Delivered in Jan.-1925 from Porsgrunds Mek. Værksted, Porsgrunn (86) as whale catcher Margarita Mollins to H. M. Wrangell & Co. A/S, Haugesund (registered in Vigo). Steel hull, 112.4' x 23.1' x 13.2', 228 gt, Tripple Expansion (Bergens Mek. Verksted) 108nhp. Sold in 1925 to Hvalfanger-IS Praia Amelia (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund, catching off the coast of West Africa for the land station in Praia Amelia near Mossamedes, Angola. Renamed Mossamedes in Oct.-1928. Owned from Aug.-1929 by Hvalfanger-A/S Suderøy (same managers), renamed Suderøy II, catching for owner's whale factory Suderøy.

WW II: See text under whale factory Suderøy above for early war details. Suderøy II and Suderøy I were probably laid up in South Africa in 1940 to await the next season (however, catching did not resume until after the war). As mentioned in my narrative for the whale factory above, it's believed that these 2 catchers were sent straight to Cape Town at the end of the 1939/1940 season, but as can be seen on the archive documents showing their voyages, it looks like they both accompanied the factory and the other whale catchers to Norfolk and Halifax in Apr.-1940. Suderøy II also came under Nortraship's control at that time.

Requisitioned by South African Navy on Aug. 20-1942 for use as minesweeper (in South African waters) and renamed T 56 Johannesburg.

POST WAR: Returned to Nortraship in April-1946. Did not resume catching for the Suderøy expedition. Sold in 1947 to Coaster Shipping Co. (Pty) Ltd., Cape Town, South Afrika, renamed Quoin. Derigged in the fall of 1950 and sunk off South Africa.

(Info from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about the Suderøy expedition in "Skipet" 1.89 by Dag Bakka Jr., and "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002).

Pre war history: Delivered in Aug.-1930 from Nylands Verksted, Oslo (309) as whale catcher Suderøy IV to Hvalfanger-A/S Suderøy (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund. Steel hull, 115.1' x 23.9' x 13.2', 252 gt, Tripple Expansion (Nylands) 750ihp. Catching for owner's whale factory Suderøy.

WW II: See whale factory Suderøy above for early war details. As mentioned, Suderøy IV arrived Halifax with the factory and other catchers on Apr. 23-1940, where her crew paid off. In Aug. that year she was hired out to The Royal Navy and entered service for The Royal Canadian Navy as minesweeper J 03 (R. W. Jordan has told me that according to his sources she served with Royal Canadian Navy from June-1941 to Nov.-1945).

Here's a Guestbook message from someone whose father served on Suderøy IV, with a link to a Wikpedia article he's writing (external site), which includes a picture of some of her men, taken in 1943. There's also a picture of Suderøy V (listed below).

POST WAR: Returned to owners in Oct.-1945 in Halifax and fitted out for whale catching. The Suderøy expedition departed New York on Nov. 1, consisting of the factory, the catchers Suderøy IV, V, VI, VII and VIII (the latter 2 had been hired by the Norwegian State - see * under "Other ships with the Suderøy name" at the end of this page), stopping at Curacao for bunkers. Arrived the herding grounds on Dec. 20-1945 for the 45/46 season. Also catching for Suderøy in the 46/47, 47/48 and 48/49 seasons. Laid up at Vibrandsøy in Haugesund in the summer of 1949. Sold in 1952 to P/r Granit (Kåre Bertnes & Peder Myrvågnes), Bodø. Converted to fishing vessel/seiner, 254 gt, a 6cyl 2tev Alpha dm 400bhp motor was installed. Entered service as seiner Granit in 1953 (N-?-?). Sold in 1954 to A/S Granit (Knut Grønnevet), Vartdal (M-?-VD). Lengthened in 1958 at Br. Lothe A/S Flytedokken, Hasseløy in Haugesund, 135.7’ x 23.9’ x 14.7’, 300 gt. Sold in Dec.-1966 to P/r / Peder Rogge, Leinøy near Herøy. Fitted out as purse net seiner. Entered service in 1967 as Norleif (M-11-HØ). Rebuilt in 1971, 305 gt, an 8cyl 2tev Alpha dm 800bhp installed. Sold in 1976 to P/r Norleif / Birger Leine, Leinøy (fishery No. M-11-HØ). Condemned in 1987 and sunk on Oct. 22 at unknown location. Deleted from Norwegian register as condemned in Nov.-1987.

(Info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Article about the Suderøy expedition by Dag Bakka Jr. in "Skipet" 1.89, "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002, "Hvalfangsten, eventyret tar slutt", Dag Bakka Jr. 2002, Alf Johan Kristiansen, Derek Sullivan and misc. others).

Pre war history: Delivered in Aug.-1930 from Nylands Mek. Verksted, Oslo (310) as whale catcher Suderøy V to Hvalfanger-A/S Suderøy (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund. Steel hull, 115.1’ x 23.9’ x 13.2’, 252 gt, Tripple Expansion (Nylands) 750ihp - catching for owner's whale factory Suderøy.

WW II: Please refer to the early WW II details under the whale factory Suderøy above. As mentioned in that narrative, Suderøy V also arrived Halifax on Apr. 23-1940 (crew paid off?). In Aug. that year she was hired out to The Royal Navy and entered service for The Royal Canadian Navy as minesweeper Z 04 (R. W. Jordan has told me that according to his sources she served with Royal Canadian Navy from 1941 to Nov.-1945).

POST WAR: The first few details under Suderøy IV also apply to this ship. After catching for Suderøy in the 45/46 season, Suderøy V also took part in the 46/47 and 48/49 seasons. Laid up at Vibrandsøy in Haugesund in the summer of 1949. Towed to A/S Haugesund Slip, Haugesund in July-1951 for conversion to seiner. Lengthened, 149.7’ x 23.9’ x 11.1’, 326 gt, 4500hl, motor installed: 7cyl Atlas dm 520bhp (1941, from MMS 43 / later Videng). Delivered in Jan.-1952 as seiner Suderøy V (fishery No. R-49-H) in time for the winter herring season. At the time she was among the largest and most modern seiners on the coast. Skipper was Ole Olsen, boatswain was Henrik Pedersen, both from Åkrehamn, Karmøy. Converted for cargo service at A/S Haugesund Slip, Haugesund in 1955, entering service that year as Hellesund. Used by Dampskibsselskabet Veritas (owned by Ole Andreas Knutsen) in that company's cargo route Oslo-Bergen, while awaiting delivery of new tonnage. Converted back to seiner in June-1959 and renamed Suderøy V (R-49-H), after Dampskibsselskabet Veritas had received the newly built Hellesund. Around 1965 Suderøy V was refitted as purse net seiner at A/S Haugesund Slip, Haugesund. Owner became Skips-A/S Suderøy (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.), Haugesund about 1970. Sold in 1972 to Hans H. Skorpen e.a., Nordstrøno in Os, renamed Idol (H-22-O). Rebuilt in 1972, 336 gt, new motor: 9cyl 2tev B&W Alpha dm 900bhp. Rebuilt again around 1974.

On Dec. 15-1975, while fishing for mackerel in the North Sea, position 60 35N 03 47E (northwest of Bergen), a fire developed in her engine room. The steward was affected by the smoke from the fire and was picked up by a helicopter, while the remaining crew of 11 were picked up by the supply vessel Sea Brute and taken to Ågotnes with Idol in tow. After having been inspected at A/S Haugesund Slip that same month she was condemned. Sold in 1976 "as is" to KS Eidesvik & Co. A/S (Kristian & Lauritz Eidesvik, Langevåg, Bømlo). Repaired and converted to scrap trawler at Horten Verft A/S, Horten, 490 gt. Entered services as Geo Boy in May-1977, registered in Haugesund. Later converted to stand-by vessel, 467 gt, 508 tdwt. Sold in Febr.-1990 to Simon Møkster, Stavanger, renamed Striløy, in use as stand-by vessel. Later owned by Simon Møkster Rederi A/S, Stavanger, then from Apr.- 2001 by Team Møkster A/S, Stavanger.

(Info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - His sources: Finn Nistad (AS Haugesund Slip), "Våre Motorskip" by Leif M. Bjørklund & E. H. Kongshavn 1999, "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002, "Hvalfangsten, eventyret tar slutt", Dag Bakka Jr. 2002, Alf Johan Kristiansen, Derek Sullivan, "Skipet", Haugesund Avis and Haugesund Dagblad [newspapers] and misc. others).

Pre war history: Delivered in Sept.-1929 from Smith's Dock Co., Middlesbrough (903) as whale catcher Southern Gem to Southern Sealing and Whaling Co. Ltd., (N. C. Watt), Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Steel hull, 115.5’ x 24.2’ x 12.7’, 254 gt, Tripple Expansion (Shields Eng. Co., Northern Shields), 760ihp. Purchased by Knut Knutsen O.A.S. in Sept.-1936 on behalf of Hvalfangst-A/S Suderøy, Haugesund (Knut Knutsen O.A.S.) and renamed Suderøy VI, catching for the owner's factory Suderøy. Later transferred to Hvalfangst-A/S Suderøy (same managers).

WW II: Please refer to the early WW II details under the whale factory Suderøy. Suderøy VI also arrived Halifax on Apr. 23-1940 (crew paid off?) and like the other 2 whale catchers she was hired out to The Royal Canadian Navy from Aug.-1940, fitted out as minesweeper and entered service as J 05 in March-1941.

Pictures received from Jim McGill, whose father, David I. McGill was the commanding officer of Suderøy VI during WW II (he died in 2004). Jim says "there is a note on the back of the photo saying the pennant number was changed the following year". He adds: "I think my father loved that ship more than anything else in life apart from my mother. He was heartbroken when he heard that it had been sunk in the 80s. He was also C/O of HMCS Sarnia for a while but never talked about that ship with the love he spoke of the Suderøy VI. One of my father's best friends was Dave Francis who was the C/O of Suderøy V at the same time.

POST WAR: Returned to owner in Oct.-1945 in Halifax, fitted out for whale catching. Further details as for Suderøy IV above. Suderøy VI was out on the herding grounds for the last time in the 1951/'52 season, this time as "buoy vessel" for Suderøy. Laid up near Vibrandsøy in Haugesund in May-1952. Delivered in Aug.-1953 as M/S Stolmen, having been converted to cargo/passenger vessel at Haugesund Mek. Verksted A/S, Haugesund, 124.4’ x 24’ x 13.6’, 361 gt, an 8cyl 4tev MaK dm 560bhp motor installed - registered for 260 passengers. To Haugesund Dampskibsselskap on "bare boat" charter and put into service Haugesund-Bergen, replacing Karmsund and alternating with Landanes, (also alternating with Landanes in the weekly Haugesund-Ryfylke, and Haugesund-Stavanger runs - this was the ex Suderøy III). Somewhat rebuilt in 1954 at Haugesund Mek. Verksted A/S, Haugesund, incl. 8 new cabins. Backed into the mountainside near Lykling on May 28-1960 due to extremely low water, escorted by tug to Haugesund and repaired, back in service a few days later. Collided on May 28-1970 with German cargo vessel Helvan at Slettå near Haugesund, damaged bow - repaired. Sailed her last voyage in the route on Dec. 10-1973, then returned to owner and laid up near Vibrandsøy, falling into a bad state of repair. Sold in Apr.-1982 to Reidar Østenstad, Torvastad (Karmøy), towed to Storøy, Karmøy, partly derigged. Towed to Nedstrandsfjord on Jan. 23-1983 and sunk.

(Source: "Våre motorskip" Leif M. Bjørkelund/E. H. Kongshavn, and info received from T. Eriksen, Norway - his sources: Article about Haugesund D/S by Dag Bakka Jr. in the Norwegian magazine "Skipet", 2.89, Fjordabåten" by Dag Bakka Jr., 1994, "Knut Knutsen O.A.S., høvdingen av Haugesund" by Tor Inge Vormedal 2002, "Hvalfangsten, eventyret tar slutt", Dag Bakka Jr. 2002 and misc. other).

Related external link:
Some Suderøy Pictures

SUDERØY IIII (1910 / brt:122) 1929-1929. Ex. KLO -14, JOHN –26, LOANDA –29. Grounded 5.10.29 in Uruguay while the Suderøy-expedition was on its way to the herding grounds in its first season. Total loss.

SUDERØY III (1914 / brt:207) 1929-1937. Ex. VIKING 2 –25, RIO CHIRA –28, ANGOLA – 29 (- this ship later became the Landanes mentioned in the text under SUDERØY VI above - follow the link for further details on her history).

SUDERØY VII (1) (1942 / brt:533 *this is one of the vessels mentioned under SUDERØY further up on this page) 1945-1946. Ex German patrol vessel FLANDERN. 5.45: taken over by the Norwegian State, managed by Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy as SUDERØY VII. The vessel was formally given to Great Britain (Ministry of War Transport) as war compensation in 1946 and renamed EMPIRE CATCHER. Catching for factory BALAENA. Sold on to South Africa in 1948 and renamed R. K. FRAAY (Union Whaling Co., Durban). Sold to Japan in 1957 and renamed TOSHI MARU NO. 11 (Taiyo Gyogyo KK, Japan). Sold 1959 to Hokuyo Suisan KK, Japan as DAISHIN MARU NO. 2. Broken up in Onomichi, Japan in the fall of 1964.

SUDERØY VII (2) (1939 / brt:361) 1946-1959. Built as whaler for unknown owner (either A/S Kosmos or Suderøy), but delivered to The Royal Navy as WINDERMERE (?) –46 - see my text under the Kos whalers and a thread on my Ship Forum. In the Antarctic for the last time with SUDERØY during the 1957/50-season, then laid up at Vibrandsøy in Haugesund. 5.61: sold to Honduras as EL CONQUISTADOR. Unknown fate.

*SUDERØY VIII (1) (1943 / brt:327) 1945-1948. Ex German patrol vessel ORION. 5.45: taken over by the Norwegian State, managed by Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy as SUDERØY VIII. When the vessel was formally given to Norway as war compensation in 1948, it was sold to AS Ørnen / Thor Dahl, Sandefjord and renamed RAVN. Sold to Chile in 1955 as INDUS 15. Fate unknown.

SUDERØY IX (1947 / brt:305) 1947-1954. Sold 1954 to Brødrene Sæbjørnsen A/S, Steinshamn on Harøy /Molde as whaler BERG ANDREAS, catching off the Norwegian coast. From 1966 fishing vessel / purse seiner MAJALA and from 1972 MARKUSSON. Condemned 1980.

SUDERØY X (1942 / brt:309) 1948-1960. Ex German patrol vessel KREBS. 5.45: taken over by the Norwegian State, managed by the Pelagos expedition as whaler KREPS. When the vessel was formally given to Norway as war compensation in 1948, it was sold to Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy as SUDERØY X. When factory SUDERØY was sold 9.59, SUDERØY X was not and remained laid up in Haugesund. Sold 1960 for b.u., but the hull was converted to fishing vessel / purse seiner OLE TORRISEN, later ROALDSEN SENIOR. In 1999 converted to tanker SENIOR, and from 2000 ANDREA.

SUDERØY XI (1948 / brt:484) 1948-1959. Sold 9.59 en-bloc with the factory SUDERØY. 8.60: sold to Chile as INDUS 18. Fate unknown.

SUDERØY VIII (2) (1942 / brt:327) 1948-1954. Ex German patrol vessel WAAGE. 5.45: taken over by the Norwegian State, managed by the Pelagos expedition as whaler KRILL. When the vessel was formally given to Norway as war compensation in 1948, it was sold to Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy as SUDERØY VIII. Sold 1954 to Brødrene Sæbjørnsen A/S, Steinshamn on Harøy /Molde as whaler BERG BJØRN, catching off the Norwegian coast. From 1975 fishing vessel / longliner with the same name. Sold 199x for b.u.

SUDERØY XII (1949 / brt:539) 1949-1959. Sold 9.59 en-bloc with the factory SUDERØY. 8.60: sold to Chile as INDUS 19 (Compañia Industrial Indus). Sold after 1966 to Macaya Hermanos. Sunk in 1971 at Caleta Tumbes (Talcahuano, Chile). This info received from Hector Mendieta, whose father was captain on board until 1966. (Picture is available).

SUDERØY XIV (1941 / brt:370) 1950-1959. Ex German patrol vessel MUCKE. Sunk by allied planes off Leirvik at Stord 15.1.45. Salvaged 1950. Sold to Hvalfanger-AS Suderøy as SUDERØY VIII. 9.59 sold to Anders Jahre as whaler SUD. 8.60: sold to South Africa as whaler R. K. FRAAY. Sold 1971 for b.u.

SUDERØY XV (1951 / brt:606) 1951-1959. Sold 9.59 en-bloc with the factory SUDERØY & sold on to A/S Kosmos / Anders Jahre as whaler KOS 54. Sold 1961 to Japan as whaler TOSHI MARU NO. 23. Sold 1965 for b.u.

SUDERØY XVI (1952 / brt:590) 1952-1959. Sold 1959 to A/S Kosmos / Anders Jahre as whaler KOS 51. Sold 1961 to Japan as whaler TOSHI MARU NO. 21. Sold 1963 to Canada as whaler WESTWHALE 7. From 1970 tug PACIFIC CHALLENGE. May still exist.

SUDERØY XVII (1953 / brt:589) 1953-1959. Sold 1959 to A/S Kosmos / Anders Jahre as whaler KOS 52. Sold 1961 to Japan as whaler TOSHI MARU NO. 22. Sold 1963 to Canada as whaler WESTWHALE 8. Sold 5.77 for b.u.

Other vessels named Suderøy:
SUDERØY whaler (1902 / brt:115), as per 1934 owned by a company on the Faroe Islands.
SUDERØY fishing vessel /purse seiner (1951 / brt:?) ex- whaler POL XV –65, fishing vessel SEVRIN ROALD, ARTUS, SUDERVON and in the eighties/mid nineties SUDERØY.