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Launch and Crew Training The Dream Logging Hawley Shipyard Construction Christening Crew Training Voyage
Many doubted that the Hjemkomst would float before the ship was launched in Duluth harbor. Bob Asp had always said that the Hjemkomst would float, but he would not guarantee it would float right side up! The Port Authority of Duluth donated the use of its 90-ton twin gantry cranes to put the Hjemkomst in the water. Over 4000 spectators witnessed the launching of the ship. The Hjemkomst did float..and right side up!
The Hjemkomst took her maiden voyage, under her own power, in the Duluth Harbor on August 9, 1980 Bob Asp took his last trip on the Hjemkomst on September 27, 1980. Although Bob died on December 27, 1980, his family was committed to keeping his dream of sailing the Hjemkomst to Norway alive.
During March 1981, the Hjemkomst was displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts along with the famous Viking Exposition. This move and public display was the first step in continuing the project and the long road of fund-raising to bring the funds necessary to complete the dream voyage of the Hjemkomst. Training on Lake Superior proved to be frustrating because of calm or near calm conditions. Once undersail, the Hjemkomst proved difficult to control with the square rigging. The crew would need someone with experience sailing square-rigged vessels to train them for the voyage. In present day Norway square-rigged decendants of the old Viking ships called Femborings are now sailed. One of the best known Femboring sailors is Erik Rudstam, who had sailed Femborings from Norway to Iceland four times. Rudstam was very interested in the Hjemkomst, and agreed to give suggestions on improving the performance. On Rudstam's suggestions eight more tons of ballast was added to improve stability, the rudder was redesigned, an extension was added to the keel, and a larger mast and sail were made for the vessel. The original sail of the Hjemkomst was 30' x 38', with a 45' mast and a 38' yard. The new mast was 63', with a main sail measuring 30' x 40' with a top sail measuring 10' x 30'. The original mast became the yard of the new mast. |
