Formerly a school ship for the training of young cadets, she is now owned and operated by a non-profit foundation, partly funded by the Norwegian Department of Culture. She now offers adventuresailings for "young people of all ages". The SØRLANDET is the oldest of the three Norwegian Tall Ships. She was newbuilding no.1 at Høivolds Mek. Verksted, a local shipyard in Kristiansand.
The original capital was a legacy of 25,000 Pounds Sterling established by shipowner O.A.T.Skjelbred. The SØRLANDET was launched in 1927, measured 210 feet and 577 gross tons. She had no engines. Through "Sørlandets Seilende Skoleskibs Institution"( a school/institution for seafarers to be), she became a vital part in the education of young seamen from the southern region of Norway called SØRLANDET.
On her maiden voyage to Oslo in 1927, Sørlandet was inspected by HM King Haakon and HRH Crown Prince Olav. Later in the same year she sailed for London with 90 young boys on board.
One of her highlights was the cruise to the World Fair in Chicago in 1933. Being the first Norwegian training ship to cross the Atlantic, she actually served as the Norwegian pavilion during the exhibition "A Century in Progress".
The Sørlandet became damaged during World War II, where she, among other happenings, served as an accommodation vessel for German submariners. She was restored and ready to sail in 1948. Not before 1958 she was equipped with engine. In 1974 she was no longer used as a public training vessel, and sold to shipowner Staubo. She became registered in Arendal and laid up at Kilsund at anchor for three years. She decayed considerably during these years. In1977 she was bought back to Kristiansand by shipowner Skjelbred who gave her to the city of Kristiansand. In 1981 a foundation was established "Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet" which is now the owner and operator.
From 1980 to 1983, the SØRLANDET was the only operative Norwegian sail training ship, and at that time open cruises for both sexes, of all ages and nationalities were offered to the general public. The SØRLANDET crossed the Atlantic four times in 1981. In addition she was engaged in a film shoot in New York and performed several cruises between Bermuda and Boston.
The most common way of utilising the vessel in the following years became two-week North Sea cruises. However, in 1982 the SØRLANDET hosted the exhibition "Women of the Coast" whilst visiting some 60 seaside places along the Norwegian coast all the way up north to Kirkenes. A total of 83.000 people visited Sørlandet during this tour.
In 1986 she once again crossed the Atlantic to take part in the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty in New York. From 1986-88 about 500 cadets from the Royal Norwegian Navy got their first life-at-sea experience, through six-week courses of sailing and training on board the Sørlandet. In the latter halfpart of the ninetees she worked closely in co-operation with the Royal Norwegian Navy, Norwegian Shipowners Association and the local public Employment Office, offering six-week courses in sailing and general seamanship in order to strengthen the recruitment of young seafarers.
The winter of 1995/96 she performed a series of cruises in the tropical waters of Caribbean but this was not found with a satisfactory economical result to contine you.
According to the IMO-rules of the 1969 convention the SØRLANDET is now 499 gross tons. She is well equipped with air-condition both on the orlop deck (the "banjer") and in crew cabins. Otherwise she is in her original condition. The main engine is of 560 HP only.
In 1980 the SØRLANDET went through a rehabilitation, and in 1988 she again had a uplift. From 2003 to 2007 she is going through an extensive rehabilitation.
The regular sailing season for the SØRLANDET is between May and September should she not been contracted to a project of longer duration.
The SØRLANDET also has a friendship association: " Fullriggeren Sørlandets Venner" ("The Friends of the Full-Rigged Ship Sørlandet"). This is an independent and open association established in 1977. Membership subscription NOK 150 per year for individuals and NOK 750 for companies. Contact: Fullriggeren Sørlandets Venner, P.O.Box 616, N-4665 Kristiansand, Norway, for more information
The SØRLANDET's particulars:
Displacement: 891 tons
Gross tons: 499
Length: 57 m
Length inclusove bowsprit : 65 m
Mast height :35 m
Draft: 4,5 m
Trainee capasity: 70/sailing or 150 passanger in closed waters.
Fixed crew: 15
2007
