Saturday Afternoon, October 5
We had expected that the Saturday afternoon would be free, perhaps with some time to explore Os or the surrounding area. Once again, the organizers had a surprise for us.
Bjarne, Mats and Gaute had arranged for us to see an important part of the crew’s story at the harbour in Os, so we drove back to the Esso station after the end of the ceremonies at the crash site.
Docked between the Esso station and Oseana (the location for the Saturday dinner) were the KNM HITRA, one of two sister ships to the VIGRA, with its crew, SNOGG (the fishing boat on which the crew was taken from Lønningdal to the islands to wait for the Shetland bus) and three Oselvars (or Oselvers),the small rowing boats in which the crew were taken on their first night in Norway to Strøno.
We had expected that the Saturday afternoon would be free, perhaps with some time to explore Os or the surrounding area. Once again, the organizers had a surprise for us.
Bjarne, Mats and Gaute had arranged for us to see an important part of the crew’s story at the harbour in Os, so we drove back to the Esso station after the end of the ceremonies at the crash site.
Docked between the Esso station and Oseana (the location for the Saturday dinner) were the KNM HITRA, one of two sister ships to the VIGRA, with its crew, SNOGG (the fishing boat on which the crew was taken from Lønningdal to the islands to wait for the Shetland bus) and three Oselvars (or Oselvers),the small rowing boats in which the crew were taken on their first night in Norway to Strøno.
The Oselvars are rowing boats traditionally used along the west coast of Norway, and are named after a major building site for these boats during the 18th century, at the mouth of the Oselva River in Os. A stylized figure of an Oselvar appears on the coat of arms of the municipality of Os.
The Oselvars were on the water each with a rower demonstrating their abilities.
It is difficult to imagine the six crew members and two rowers crowded into one of these small boats on the journey from Tryneviko to Ramsholman, where three of the crew transferred to a second boat.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
The Oselvars were on the water each with a rower demonstrating their abilities.
It is difficult to imagine the six crew members and two rowers crowded into one of these small boats on the journey from Tryneviko to Ramsholman, where three of the crew transferred to a second boat.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
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KNM Hitra
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Serge, Jeff and Patrick on deck
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Steve Deeth on the AA guns
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The Radio Room
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KNM HITRA and her crew were there, ready for boarding, and most people took advantage of the opportunity to visit the bridge, view the accommodations, and inspect the radio room, like that on the Vigra in which Harvey Firestone was asked to serve on the trip back to the Shetlands.
Like its sister ship Vigra, the Hitra was a small but fast ship, with a proud history. Once these three sub-chasers were in service, the Shetland Bus had no more ship losses for the rest of the war.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
Like its sister ship Vigra, the Hitra was a small but fast ship, with a proud history. Once these three sub-chasers were in service, the Shetland Bus had no more ship losses for the rest of the war.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
Finally, the SNOGG, restored after long years of service (another story) and looking very good despite her age.
This was the fishing boat that had taken the crew members from Lønningdal (after their last good meal in Norway) down the fjord and through the islands to Kjøomannholmen. It is hard to imagine the 6 crew members hidden below decks, where the most recent passengers had likely been dead fish.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
This was the fishing boat that had taken the crew members from Lønningdal (after their last good meal in Norway) down the fjord and through the islands to Kjøomannholmen. It is hard to imagine the 6 crew members hidden below decks, where the most recent passengers had likely been dead fish.
Click on each of the images on this page to see more.
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Devon Biddle on the Snogg
