Liberation Convoy – S/S Hestmanden opens to the public on Monday
Stian Lunde, Museum Mediator, S/S Hestmanden, and a team of volunteers will show people round the ship. One story is of a young teenager who joined the ship for two weeks, but meantime Germany invaded Norway, and the young man did not return home for six years. There are many stories of sailors who were exiled from their homeland, and much to see on board the vessel which is travelling to a number of ports.
The steamer, first coal-fired and now equipped with diesel engines may be seen from Ocean Terminal and is lying in front of Britannia. The Norwegian War Sailor Museum, is the last surviving vessel from Nortraship's extensive fleet.
Hestmanden is one of about 1,000 Norwegian merchant ships that supplied food, medicine, fuel and arms to the Allies throughout the Second World War.
From Monday morning the ship is open for guided tours and onboard exhibitions including films in two audio visual areas below decks where documentaries will be screened.
Monday 26: 11am – 5am
Tuesday 27: 11am – 5am
Wednesday 28: 11am – 5am
Thursday 29: 11am – 5am
S/S Hestmanden the only ship to survive both world wards in the 20th century
A flotilla of ships recreating the bravery of merchant war sailors and secretive special forces in a Liberation Convoy of historic vessels that once sailed as part of the daring 'Shetland Bus' during WWII was greeted with a floating salute as it arrived at Lerwick in time for the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This celebration of peace is considered by the organisers behind the convoy to be even more important than ever given the presence of war in Europe once more.
The vessels included four wartime fishing boats – S/S Hestmanden, M/K Erkna, M/K Andholmen, M/K Heland, M/B Arnefjord – that were used to ferry refugees from Norway to the UK, before returning with radios, explosives and British-trained Norwegian special forces soldiers ready to sabotage the occupying Nazi regime.
On arrival in Shetland the local lifeboat, and water jets fired into the air from other vessels and a replica Viking longboat were among those joining crowds of people at Lerwick Harbour as part of the special journey to commemorate the heroics of the 'Shetland Bus' crews.
From there the convoy sailed on and the Hestmanded visited Stromness in Orkney and Aberdeen en route to Edinburgh. From here the ship sails to Newcastle and then back to Norway. The convoy's aims are to commemorate the 80th anniversary of peace in Europe with a grand tribute to the heroic war sailors who risked or lost their lives during WW2, and to celebrate the close relationship between the UK and Norway.
About half Norway's merchant ships were torpedoed and sunk by German submarines, killing some 4,500 of the 30,000 Norwegian war sailors, while 44 of the Shetland Gang's members went down with boats sunk by fighter planes, submarines or harsh winter storms.
The convoy has been organised by an informal group of individual volunteers, maritime enthusiasts and wartime historians, museums and organisations. The project is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the Norwegian Navy, the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce and several charitable foundations and Companies.
Norwegian and British dignitaries laid wreaths at The Shetland Bus Memorial in Scalloway today to commemorate the brave efforts of the British-Norwegian resistance during World War II.
Those attending included the Lord Lieutenant of Shetland, Norwegian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Shetland Islands Council Convener and Norwegian Military Attaché.
During WWII, the Shetland Bus – a lifeline of Norwegian fishing boats and submarine chasers – smuggled agents, refugees, and supplies between Shetland and Nazi-occupied Norway.
The memorial includes a metal sculpture representing one of these fishing boats, placed on top of rocks gathered from the birthplaces of the 44 Norwegian crew members who died during the Shetland Bus operation. It's a poignant reminder of their sacrifices, and testament to the historical significance of Scalloway.
https://www.liberationconvoy.com
S/S Hestmanden the only ship to survive both world wards in the 20th century
Like this:
Like
Related
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
a day ago
- North Wales Live
Anglesey town named one of the best 'under-the-radar' destinations in Europe
The European Hidden Gem Index has been released - showing the 50 best 'under-the-radar' places to visit in 2025. It showcases the places that - while not unknown - they believe deserve to be put on the itinerary of more global travellers. The good news for North Wales is that the only UK location in the top ten is on Anglesey. It might be a stretch to call Beaumaris a 'hidden gem' but the researchers at HomeToGo think even more people need to know about the place. It has been around for a long time with a settlement here dating back many centuries and originally known as Porth y Wygyr ("Port of the Vikings"). In the 13th century the locals were cleared as Edward I commissioned the construction of Beaumaris Castle in 1295. It is known as the "greatest castle never built" because it was never fully completed despite its ambitious design and scale. Some 700 years later - despite not being completed - it remains the dominant feature of the town but certainly not the only attraction. History lovers can also take in the Beaumaris Gaol and Courthouse. while on the seafront there is the Victorian pier, with boat trips on offer. There's also a good selection of quality spots to eat and drink, and quaint shopping streets. Perhaps though the most impressive thing is the view across the Menai Strait - with the village green and seafront the perfect place to take in the rugged beauty of the mountains of Eryri. The researchers said: "Using exclusive search trend and holiday home pricing data, alongside insights as to summer weather, walking routes, food and drink, and details about each spot's surroundings, HomeToGo has revealed and ranked the 50 most picturesque and well-appointed hidden gem destinations across Europe. "Featuring 20 countries, the index provides fresh inspiration for travels across the continent, from Norwegian villages to the islands of Greece and beyond. Four locations in the UK made it onto the list, with Beaumaris on the I Anglesey in Wales ranking in 10th place, followed by three Cornish places: Sennen in 12th place, the Isles of Scilly in 26th, and Mousehole in 41st."
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals what the secret meaning of pink flamingos are on cruise ships
The sight of a pink flamingo inflatable bobbing about in a cruise liner swimming pool might seem innocent enough, but according to one cruise expert - it could be a sign that things could be about to get a little fruity. Cody Candee, CEO of travel luggage firm says the popular holiday floaty is used by swingers on some liners to make it clear that there might be a midnight buffet of a different kind on offer. Candee says that major cruise brands, including Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and - avert your eyes now Mickey - Disney, often unwittingly host couples looking to play away while they're on holiday. The pink flamingo comes in the wake of another visual symbol apparently used by swingers at sea. He explained: 'Many people are already aware of the upside-down pineapple as a well-known sign for swinging or "wife swapping" when displayed on a cabin door or an item of clothing. 'However, as the symbol becomes more widely recognised, many cruise lines are cracking down on the use of this symbol on cabin doors. 'Other discreet symbols, such as pink flamingos, are gaining popularity as an alternative code for the same lifestyle.' Adults-only sex cruises specifically designed for the swinging scene have long been a thing. X-rated jaunts, run by brands such as Temptation Cruises, feature everything from educational workshops to racy stage shows, with secret rooms also on offer. The latter sees cameras and photos are banned, and staff are stationed at the doors to protect the privacy of those inside. Discussing a Temptation Cruise in an interview with MailOnline last year, Intimacy coach and hypnotherapist Kate Shelor, who runs racy seminars at sea, lifted the lid on what really goes down on board. She explained: 'The Temptation Cruises aren't explicitly swingers cruises, but I would say that it's probably 60 to 70 per cent people who are in that lifestyle.' 'The other 30 per cent are not, but they want a fun, sexy, adult atmosphere.' The age range of attendees generally ranges from mid-twenties to mid-fifties, with the majority being couples, although there's plenty of singles on board too. 'I would say there's people that are there to swing for sure, then there are couples who don't interact with other couples,' Kate said. 'They don't play, they don't swing, but they may want to do something a little wild. Like, there are areas on board where you can be topless and go dancing,' she continued. 'There's a lot of people who may just want to push some personal boundaries and feel a little bit, you know, dangerous and exciting. And then there's also areas where you can be completely nude, but that is in the indoor pool area only and the rules are very strict.' Kate also shared one of the jaw-dropping sexual experiences she hosts inside the ship's secret playroom - or 'red room' as it's become known as - where she guides up to 60 couples to orgasm together. 'I do a hypnotic sex seminar. It's couples only, but they can bring a third,' she said. Once inside, the couples (and throuples) find a mattress to sit on together, before being blindfolded. 'Part of the experience is getting in touch with your senses, and it also means that not everybody's being watched by each other,' Kate said. The professional sexpert said that her seminars sell out 'every time' and that they're now so successful that she's had to add more to her schedule to meet the demand. 'They're asking me to do three instead of two on the next cruise because they're so popular!' she said.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
World's deepest tunnel costing £1.7bn will take 35 minutes to cross
The Rogfast project in Norway is a 16.5-mile-long underground tunnel lying 392 metres (1,300ft) underneath the seabed. The world's deepest tunnel could ferry vehicles a staggering 16 miles beneath the ocean. The Rogfast project in Norway is a whopping 16.5-mile-long subterranean tunnel, nestled 392 metres (1,300ft) under the seabed. Slated to open in nine years, it will link the cities of Stavanger and Bergen. At present, motorists must navigate the E39 and endure multiple ferry crossings. However, the tunnel is hoping to halve this journey time. The tunnel, whose construction kicked off in 2018, is divided into three sections, each equipped with its own ventilation and interchange systems, allowing drivers to turn around if needed. It's estimated that travelling the entire length of the tunnel at 50kph (31.25mph) will take roughly 35 minutes. This infrastructure venture, expected to set back between £1.45bn and £1.74bn (€1.69bn to €2.03), forms part of Norway's initiative to unify the country's west coast. It will also enhance transport connections among various towns and islands, according to Newsweek. To carve out the tunnel, crews are shifting around 8 million cubic metres of rock. The twin tunnels, spaced 50ft apart, will accommodate two lanes of traffic. The route's location is home to several crucial components of Norway's economy, including their seafood and oil sectors, reports the Express. Roughly 6,000 vehicles are anticipated to pass through Rogfast daily upon its launch, with road tolls implemented to contribute towards its upkeep. The Norwegian government is stepping in to finance 40 percent of the project's cost. Drivers may be charged around £30 (€35.05) to traverse the tunnel, though these fees could fluctuate before its inauguration. Oddvar Kaarmo, Rogfast's project manager, told Euronews: "Stavanger is the fourth-largest city in Norway, and Bergen is the second largest. "So we hope that it's possible that this project will be able to reduce traveling time for workers as well when they are traveling to either Stavanger or Bergen on a daily basis." Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Kaarmo explained the current challenges and how the tunnel will offer solutions. He explained: "The port at Mortavika is quite exposed and, in the winter, ferries sometimes have to divert to another port. Once the tunnel is finished, we will not have to rely on good weather to keep the roads open. "About half a year after the last drill and blast, we have to deliver the project, so we have to get a lot of work done simultaneously. It's more about logistics than tunnelling."
