Views and News from Norway: Tall ships on the Oslo F

Tall ships on the Oslo Fjord
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The summer sailing season in Norway is winding down, but at least two of the country's so-called "Tall Ships" could still be seen on the Oslo Fjord in recent weeks. Among them was the graceful, 82-year-old Sørlandet, which offered occasional cruises to the public. "Views and News" went along for a ride.
The Tall Ship Sørlandet, built in 1927, is the oldest of Norway's full-riggers. During her visit to Oslo, she was moored at Sørenga, not far from the capital's new Opera House.
The cruises on board Sørlandet were a unique opportunity to get a taste of life on a large sailing ship. The foundation running the historic vessel also planned a cruise over the North Sea to England but had to cancel it for lack of bookings, which the foundation blamed on swine flu fears.
The full-rigger Sørlandet continues to be home-ported in Kristiansand, on the tip of Norway's southern coast. The country's other Tall Ships include Statsraad Lehmkuhl, based in Bergen, and Christian Radich, based in Oslo.
The cruise on Sørlandet offered fine views from the fjord, such as this one of Oslo's new Opera House at Bjørvika, the eastern part of Oslo's harbor that's currently undergoing major redevelopment.
Here's a more classic view of the western side of the inner harbor, featuring the twin towers of Oslo's City Hall and the hills of Nordmarka (Grefsenkollen) in the background. At the far right is the Akershus Fortress and Castle.
Spotted through the Tall Ship Sørlandet's rigging: Oslo's old Seaman's School (Sjømannsskole) at Ekeberg on the capital's east side.
The old Seaman's School no longer turns out merchant seafarers, instead offering commercial office space for lease, but the views from the building's lofty perch above the fjord are among the best in Oslo.
Sørlandet's crew relies on support from the organization known as Fullriggeren Sørlandets Venner (Friends of the full-rigger Sørlandet). The foundation was formed in 1977 to help preserve the historic vessel and keep her sailing. The vessel itself is operated by Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet of Kristiansand.
Another landmark spotted as Sørlandet cruised down the Oslo Fjord: Dyna Fyr, an old lighthouse now used as a site for private parties.
Ship ahoy! Suddenly one of Sørlandet's rivals in the annual Tall Ships Races, Oslo's own Christian Radich, appeared on the port side. Canons were fired, but only in a friendly salute.
The Christian Radich also offers occasional cruises on the Oslo Fjord during the summer, but mostly is chartered for private parties. Guests on board both vessels are generally served shrimps and white wine.
Storm clouds hovered over the Oslo Fjord during most of July and August this year, but the light on late summer evenings still made for a pretty picture.
The crew on board Sørlandet is comprised of experienced sailors, many of whom have long cruised over the seven seas.
This brass plaque was installed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sørlandet's delivery from the Høivold Shipyard in Kristiansand. The vessel was built as a training ship and was the first Norwegian "school ship" to cross the Atlantic when she sailed to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933.
Back at her mooring, Sørlandet gets shined up and ready for her next cruise.

For more information on the Tall Ship Sørlandet, visit their foundation’s web site, Stiftelsen Fullriggeren Sørlandet.

For more views of Norway, visit our Views of Norway photo menu page.

The Tall Ship Sørlandet, built in 1927, is the oldest of Norway's full-riggers. During her visit to Oslo, she was moored at Sørenga, not far from the capital's new Opera House.

The cruises on board Sørlandet were a unique opportunity to get a taste of life on a large sailing ship. The foundation running the historic vessel also planned a cruise over the North Sea to England but had to cancel it for lack of bookings, which the foundation blamed on swine flu fears.

The full-rigger Sørlandet continues to be home-ported in Kristiansand, on the tip of Norway's southern coast. The country's other Tall Ships include Statsraad Lehmkuhl, based in Bergen, and Christian Radich, based in Oslo.

The cruise on Sørlandet offered fine views from the fjord, such as this one of Oslo's new Opera House at Bjørvika, the eastern part of Oslo's harbor that's currently undergoing major redevelopment.

Here's a more classic view of the western side of the inner harbor, featuring the twin towers of Oslo's City Hall and the hills of Nordmarka (Grefsenkollen) in the background. At the far right is the Akershus Fortress and Castle.

Spotted through the Tall Ship Sørlandet's rigging: Oslo's old Seaman's School (Sjømannsskole) at Ekeberg on the capital's east side.

The old Seaman's School no longer turns out merchant seafarers, instead offering commercial office space for lease, but the views from the building's lofty perch above the fjord are among the best in Oslo.

Another landmark spotted as Sørlandet cruised down the Oslo Fjord: Dyna Fyr, an old lighthouse now used as a site for private parties.

Ship ahoy! Suddenly one of Sørlandet's rivals in the annual Tall Ships Races, Oslo's own Christian Radich, appeared on the port side. Canons were fired, but only in a friendly salute.

The Christian Radich also offers occasional cruises on the Oslo Fjord during the summer, but mostly is chartered for private parties. Guests on board both vessels are generally served shrimps and white wine.

Storm clouds hovered over the Oslo Fjord during most of July and August this year, but the light on late summer evenings still made for a pretty picture.

The crew on board Sørlandet is comprised of experienced sailors, many of whom have long cruised over the seven seas.

This brass plaque was installed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Sørlandet's delivery from the Høivold Shipyard in Kristiansand. The vessel was built as a training ship and was the first Norwegian "school ship" to cross the Atlantic when she sailed to the World's Fair in Chicago in 1933.

Back at her mooring, Sørlandet gets shined up and ready for her next cruise.