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The steamship Scotland stroked the reefs at Finnebåene in Langesundbukta on 22. April 1911 under a journey from Kristiania to Glasgow through Breivik with eight passengers and different goods and whale oil. Scotland was one of the most grandiose passenger and cargo freighter of the time, and was admired for her luxury and comfort on board, and the inventory on the ship var above average even for the demands of the time. Scotland was built at Grangemouth in 1904, and was delivered finished for duty to Fred Olsen the same year. In November 1905 at the same time as the entry of King Haakon VII as king for Norway, Scotland sailed with over five hundred passengers on board for a line of ships upwards the Oslofjorden to meet the royal ship Heimdal and to salute King Haakon VII. Scotland also participated in the marking of the homecoming of the deceased poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in 1910. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was brought back to Norway by the panzership Norge, and Scotland together with many other ships followed the poet's last journey. But already the year after Scotland`s history ended after the striking on the morning 22 April 1911 in Langesundbukta. After the accident it was attempted to save the ship with help from the salvage vessel Neptun, but Scotland had now sunk with the bow and the hull had been damaged by the agitated sea. With help from the ships Paris ( Fred Olsen ) and Frigga they managed to rescue the passengers and the cargo with parts of the inventory, but the ship herself was abandoned by the salvage company Moss Bjergningsselskap. Later the weather worsened a lot, and the wind blew up the sea further. Shortly after Scotland broke in two pieces and disappeared in the deep. Parts of Scortland were salvaged after the accident, and today the remains of this proud ship rest at Finnebåene in Langesundsfjorden. To get out to the wrecksite you must have nice weather and a boat...
Picture: © www.skovheim.org |
Edited 29.06.2007 |