SS Nordnorge steamer bell and first pictures from the wreck - video

A team of Scandinavian technical divers has found the bell of the steamer SS Nordnorge. They located the vessel, which dates back to World War II, in early January 2021. The group has now explored the wreck using a remotely operated ROV.

About the planned expedition and the finding of the wreck we have already informed you. Our friends from Norway showed great determination and enthusiasm when embarking on the search. It was worth it! Fate quickly rewarded their efforts. Now they have given us the first multimedia materials presenting the found SS Nordnorge steamer bell.

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It is worth mentioning that the Norwegian steamer has an extremely interesting history. During the invasion of Norway in May 1940, the Germans seized the SS Nordnorge with the intention of using it in a secret mission, as a Trojan horse.

The secret mission of the SS Nordnorge

Operation Wildente was personally approved by Adolf Hitler. As part of the planned operations, aboard the SS Nordnorge, the Germans wanted to transport their troops behind enemy lines. If successful, they would break the Allied defence line in Nordland County and cut off parts of the Norwegian and British forces.

Locals have not forgotten the story of the Norwegian steamer. Despite the passage of 80 years, everyone knows very well what happened in Hemnes on May 10, 1940. For many years divers have also been searching for the wreck of the SS Nordnorge.

We have been discussing this story for 80 years. Now we finally got to see the wreck of the SS steamer Nordnorge. It’s a fantastic experience! – said Torbjørn Skjæran from the local history association

Finding the wreck

It only succeeded in January 2021. Not surprisingly, although initial estimates put the wreck at a depth of 90-150m, it was eventually located at a depth of as much as 280m. This completely thwarted the team’s plans, who had gathered a group of experienced technical divers ready to carry out the exploration. In the end, a remotely operated ROV had to be used.

Without doubt, it was a fantastic experience. Seeing the bell of the steamer SS Nordnorge I stood in front of the screen with tears in my eyes. Looking at the wheelhouse and all that was intact was something special. Even if some elements were destroyed, the wreck is beautiful, and above all extremely important for Norwegian history – Ina Trælnes, owner of Visit Plura and member of the search team, was overcome with emotion

Read more about how the wreck was explored and the SS Nordnorge steamer’s bell found in the upcoming issue of DIVERS24. In the meantime, we recommend reading the history of the steamer, described in the article below.