Elf

During a fishing trip for hake near Svalbard in the summer of 1932, the "Elf" suddenly began to take on water on the night of June 30. The machine bilges were unable to remove it, and they had to stop hauling in the lines. Deck pumps were put into use and they set course for Bellsund. They also hoisted sails, and progress was good. The water continued to rise, and they also had problems with the coal in the stern swinging out and the coal dust clogging the bilges. The water made it difficult to light the coal, and after a while both the shoal and the speed decreased. The lighthouse gradually went out, and the water continued to rise. There was no other option but to go into the boats. The crew of 12 split into two boats. The skipper had seen that the barometer was falling in the morning hours, and they rowed with all their strength towards land before a possible storm would overtake them. After rowing for about 3 hours, they see smoke from a boat, but it is on the wrong course and is heading more towards where the "Elf" is supposed to be. At 17 p.m., the two boats come ashore at Cape Borthen. Then they suddenly see the steamboat they had observed coming with the "Elf" in tow. The survivors light a fire in the fjord in the hope of being discovered, but there is no reaction from the steamboat. In the coming days, they row to Bellsund and to Isfjorden, where on August 2 they manage to make contact with the "Inger Elisabeth" which is entering the fjord. The crew is picked up by the "Inger Elisabeth" and arrives in Harstad with the "Ingertre".