Southern Actor

Summary

Southern Actor is a former whale catcher, currently a museum ship based in Sandefjord, Norway and owned by Sandefjord Museum. It is the only whale catcher from the Modern Whaling Epoch still to be in its original working order.[2][3][4][5] Over 100,000 hours have been spent on restoring the vessel.[6]

Southern Actor at Sandefjord harbour
History
United Kingdom
NameSouthern Actor
OwnerChristian Salvesen Ltd
BuilderSmiths Dock
Launched1950
FateSold to Norway
Norway
NameSouthern Actor
OwnerSandefjord Museum
Acquired1989[1]
Identification
FateMuseum Ship
General characteristics
TypeWhaler
Tonnage439 GRT
Length158 ft 9+12 in (48.400 m) (LOA)
Beam27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Draft15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine

Southern Actor was built in 1950 at Smiths Dock, Middlesbrough, England, for the whaling company Christian Salvesen Ltd in Leith, Scotland. Many of Salvesen's employees were Norwegian mostly from Vestfold. The ship was in Norway for maintenance in the summer.

In 1995, Southern Actor was fully restored, as authentically as possible in relation to the way the boat was originally constructed. That same year she was declared worthy of preservation by Riksantikvaren, the Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage. Southern Actor is in working order and can be chartered for excursions.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 122. ISBN 9788283301137.
  2. ^ Olstad, Finn (1997). Sandefjords historie B.2: En vanlig småby? Sandefjord kommune. Page 395. ISBN 8299379725.
  3. ^ "The Whale catcher Southern Actor".
  4. ^ "The Whale catcher Southern Actor".
  5. ^ "Sandefjord". 26 April 2019.
  6. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forl. Page 22. ISBN 8290636024.
  7. ^ "1950 DS/Hvb Southern Actor". Museumsskip i Sandefjord.

External links edit

  • "Jim Mclaren's website devoted to maritime history of the far southern latitudes". Archived from the original on 13 January 2006.
  • "Sandefjord Museum official website".

59°07′36″N 10°13′47″E / 59.126612°N 10.229596°E / 59.126612; 10.229596