"Hamen" is a typical and classic example of the numerous tramp traders in Europe , from the period covering the late 1930s until into the 1970s.

She was built as "Pompey Power" by Austin & Son Ltd. in Sunderland, England in 1949. She and her sistership "Pompey Light" were ordered by "The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Portsmouth". Both ships entered the collier-fleet, carrying coal from north of England to the coal-fired power-plants in Portsmouth. Just after the first delivery of coal to Portsmouth, the electricity industry was nationalised and the ships taken over by The British Electricity Authority, but operated by Stephenson, Clarke Ltd.

According to the builder, "Pompey Power" was among the "finest collier afloat". She had modern equipment and interior. The hull was painted black, while deckhouses and masts were brown, except for the wings of the bridge which were white. A white line was painted along the top of the hull from bow to aft.

The Pompey-sisters continued in their trade until 1960, when the oil-fired Marchwood Power Station opened. The need for coal was reduced. Subsequently, "Pompey Power" was sold, while "Pompey Light" continued until 1968, when she was scrapped in Antwerp.

"Pompey Power" was sold in 1960 to A/S Orion-Tandberg & Möinichen in Norway, and renamed "Tandik". Deck machinery and masts were modernized. She went into the North Sea trade, but with little success. In 1962, she was sold again to Hans Utkilen in Bergen, who renamed her "Hamen". Her steam engine was removed and a 9-cylinder Wichmann diesel installed. From 1962 "Hamen" was sailing in European tramp trade with for example coal, steel, stone, grain, ore and timber as cargo. This went on with great success until the early eighties, when it became obvious that such an old ship no longer could compete with modern types. In 1986, "Hamen" was finally laid up north of Bergen. After an effort over years until 1996 to preserve the ship in Norway, "Hamen " was sold to Lupin Shipping Ltd., St Vincent. This company is owned by Alvar Olsson, Varberg, Sweden. He towed the ship to a harbour near Strömstad in Sweden. And then, "Hamen" was nearly forgotten for years.

Since the 18^th century, Norway has been amongst the most important shipping and fishing nations in the world. As a coastal nation, Norway has been depending of maritime activities for centuries. The foreign shipping trade has contributed essentially to the country’s economy and is still an important part.

Despite this importance, not a single vessel from the Norwegian international fleet is preserved as a museum ship.

From about 1980, several representatives from authorities, preservation institutions and interested individuals have expressed their desire to secure a freighter from this period, as a museum ship. "Hamen" is representative both for the type and design of this epoch.

Among these representatives were The Directorate for Cultural Heritage, the Norwegian Council for Culture, the Department of Environment, members of the Parliament, The Norwegian Maritime Museum, the Norwegian Society for Preservation of Historic Ships and individuals with great and wide experience from preservation.

As a museum ship "Hamen" could give the Norwegian society a possibility to learn how a ship like her were built and sailed and show the life of the seamen, who contributed enormously to the country and its economy.

She would in fact be a great contribution to the cultural heritage of Norway.

To date, there are only a few examples of ocean going power cargo ships being preserved in the world.

The foundation is established to secure and preserve "Hamen" as a stationary historic vessel and museum. The foundation bought the ship in 2005, and it is now temporarily secured. We have received economical and political support of different types, for instance from the Norwegian Council for Cultural Heritage, a private trust, from the Norwegian Parliament, and some private companies. The ship is still laid up in Sweden. At present, the working conditions are very, very difficult. "Hamen" should definitely be docked as soon as possible, to secure the underwater hull. The decks and the roofs of the deckhouses are leaking and in poor conditions. However, under the present economical conditions, it is not possible for the foundation to tow the ship to a yard for docking. We are in urgent need of money, and the situation for "Hamen" may be critical and impossible for the foundation to handle within short time.

We are therefore in need of any kind of help, as economical, practical, political and moral, to save the ship from this present situation. It is still possible to secure and preserve "Hamen", if the recourses are available, but there is not much time to do it!

If You want to get more information, discuss possible solutions, or even better contribute economically or/and practically, please contact Mr. Arne Holm in Oslo, telephone number 0047 9139 4558: email arme.holm@energi.no.  Or visit the website on www.hamen.no.

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