Polar evening at the Ishavsmuseet on January 26, 2024

While hunting seals in the Newfoundland field, the "Polarbjørn" catches fire in the engine room. The crew, led by skipper Henrik Marø, eventually have to transfer to the Canadian sealer "Illinois", with skipper Harald Marø (Henrik's brother).
They are later transferred to the Arctic ship "Herøyfjord", which was loaded with 20,000 animals and on its way home. The cargo shifted at Cape Farewell, and 2000 sealskins are thrown overboard to lighten the ship, and new bracing is installed in the hold.

The ship is heavy in the sea with its large cargo, and must lie exposed to the weather several times on the journey east.
When the ship is about 70 nautical miles northwest of Runde, the ship will turn away and remain lying with a strong list.
Since the ship had listed 45-47 degrees, only the bridge and the deckhouse were open to people. Most of the 66 men on board stayed on the wet, slippery and cold aft deck, with short trips inside to warm up a bit. The ship sank at seven in the morning, and most were rescued at 2-3 in the morning. Those were long and tough hours for the 66 on board who were expected to drown but hoped to be rescued.

"Flemsøy" and "Brandal", on their way home from seal hunting in the Vesterisen, gradually arrive. With courage and good seamanship, the two crews on board "Herøyfjord" are rescued. Some of them were pulled through the seas with lines, others managed to save themselves in the fishing boats. An extraordinary feat of rescue was performed at sea that day. The crew of "Polarbjørn" sank twice on the same trip!

Tows were then taken to "Herøyfjord", but after a short period of towing it capsized and sank.
All along the coast, people had been up listening to the drama on the radio during the night. When "Flemsøy" and "Brandal" arrived in Ålesund, there were a lot of people who wanted to welcome them and pay tribute to them for the rescue operation. The two ships were lying with their bows facing the shore. The quays and the streets were full of people, it was like May 17th and the liberation in 1945, they said.
Take a trip to the Ishavsmuseet and you'll hear the whole dramatic story. A story that ended well, but could also have had a disastrous end.

Lecturer and author Johannes Bjarne Alme should be familiar to most people, and has previously impressed with his detailed knowledge of the topics he presents. Raised in the Arctic village of Brandal, he has had a lifelong interest in Arctic history.

The evening will, as usual, end with dinner for those who wish, and this time there is clipfish with good accompaniments on the menu. Buy tickets for the lecture and dinner NOK 350,- here: Lecture and food January 26th

Lecture only NOK 150,- here: Lecture only on January 26th