Einar Holm (Norway)

Photo from my first ship S/S INGERFIRE with c/s LLPO. She was a general cargo ship with a mid ship and poop, looked from a distance rather like a small T2 tanker – about 4.300 tdw. The picture is taken in November 1959 and is from the Radio station, equipped with a MARCONI OCEANSPAN II modified to III, supposed to deliver 400w… But pounding brass in the late 50ties from the Mexican Golf – trying to reach Bergen Radio in Norway – it felt more like there was only 40w. It was a long way to fly from Bergen to Tampa in Florida. But 6 months in the sulphur trade between Coatzacoalcos and Tampa – a couple of trips to Cuba, one trip to Turbo in Venezuela and a couple of trips to Canada – before putting our bow towards northern Europe – Aberdeen in Scotland, was very interesting. From Scotland to Newcastle and finally reached my hometown Bergen in May of 1960. Then onward to Spitzbergen with coal to Copenhagen for another 6 months, before I could sign off in November, after 16 months onboard my first ship.The 4th of January 1961 I joined the Norwegian Navy as a spark on a frigate and later on a mothership for the Norwegian MTB’s (motor torpedo boats). The last 3 months in the navy I spent moving the land station equipment from the old navy site inside town to a new navy base outside Bergen on the coast. After 18 months in the Navy I set sail again in the Fred Olsen Line, Oslo Norway.I started on a passenger ship, m/s BREAMAR on the North Sea for 3 months. After that I sailed on the Mediterranean and Canary Island trade for 3 years. Made a complete change – to the Norway – Pacific line, also Fred. Olsen, from 1966 till 1972. Then I went on to the Fred Olsen passenger ships BLACK WATCH / LFOM and BLACK PRINCE / LHXI for my last years at sea. All together more or less 20 years at sea.Started working in Bergen Radio / LGN in Sept. 1978 (as a summer job I was on the passenger ships in the North Sea for Fred Olsen till 1986 (last time at sea)), then I signed off Bergen Radio in September 2003. Bergen radio was then taken out of business March 2004. Summing it up: 20 years at sea and 25 years on coast radio station. I was pounding brass on a straight Morse key for 30 years, from 1959-1989 (12.6.1989 Bergen Radio turned silent key).