It was an honour for the Geos Group to refuel the Norwegian warship S/S Hestmanden in Newcastle this week, after she sailed into the River Tyne on the last leg of her month-long voyage to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
During World War Two, S/S Hestmanden served as a convoy vessel, playing a vital role in transporting weapons, food, fuel and medicines to Allied forces. She also helped evacuate refugees and soldiers, and smuggle agents and freedom fighters between Shetland and Nazi-occupied Norway.
Built in 1911 and now the last surviving cargo vessel to sail in convoys in both the First and Second World Wars, S/S Hestmanden is one of Norway’s most treasured legacy warships. She has been fully restored and now serves as a floating war sailors museum, fitted with interactive exhibits and memorabilia.
Newcastle’s Maritime Volunteer Service organised a special parade of sail to welcome the arrival of S/S Hestmanden on Saturday, and escort her from North Shields to the city. The historic warship will be open to visitors until Wednesday, before setting sail back to Norway on Thursday.
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