On 2 July 1893, a bell rang down at the harbour in Trondheim. It was time for the steamship SS Vesteraalen to embark on her journey north to Hammerfest. A historic moment, the start of the very first voyage in Coastal express traffic.
The ship, the ships bell, director of the shipping company Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab; Richard With, crew and a selection of invited guests arrived in Hammerfest in record time, thanks to the night voyage.
DS Vesteraalen and the bell continued to run in Coastal express traffic, with some interruptions until 1932. After this, the ship was periodically used as a replacement ship in Coastal express traffic.
On 17 October 1941, the ship was torpedoed on its way into Øksfjord on the northbound route. 54 people died in the sinking.
In August 1988, the ship’s bell was retrieved from the wreckage. The hammer used to ring the bell was not found. The bell was restored and given to the Hurtigruten Museum. Today it can be seen in our permanent exhibition.