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The Christening The Dream Logging Hawley Shipyard Construction Christening Crew Training Voyage
On July 10, 1980 the front wall of the Hawley Shipyard was torn down. Care was given to support the roof and sidewalls to ensure the whole structure would not collapse. The sidewalk and old bricks were pushed in and many loads of gravel were added to create a ramp. Removing the completed Hjemkomst from the shipyard building was a difficult task. The front of the old warehouse had to be removed without collapsing the entire building. EM "Lefty" Johnson, a Hawley Postmaster and former colonel in the US Combat Engineers, directed the procedure.
July 17, 1980 was the day the ship made her entrance into the sunlight to greet her public. With a towtruck and winch the ship was inched out supported by bridge timbers and rolling on steel pipes. Once in the street, a crane picked up the ship and turned it so the moving process could be completed.
Hannah Foldoe, Bob Asp's mother-in-law and a Scandinavian Immigrant, was given the honor of christening the ship, "Hjemkomst" on July 20, 1980. "Hjemkomst" means homecoming in Norwegian in honor of immigrants of Nordic heritage. The christening ceremony was part of the three day "Viking Ship Days" celebration held in Hawley. Approximately $35,000 was raised during the celebration. The proceeds would go towards the Hjemkomst's voyage.
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The Hjemkomst left Hawley for Duluth,
Minnesota on August 5, 1980 at 9 PM. Because of the special permits needed for being
an overweight and oversized ship the Hjemkomst had to be transported at night. The
drivers of the transport were Bob's nephews, Alvin and Kenny Asp, of Asp Brothers
Trucking. A State Highway escort was provided by state troopers Bob Elliot and
Wilbur Crist.