Thor Iversen og Fiskerikontoret
Ivar Thor Carl Iversen was born in Kristiania (modern-day Oslo) in 1873. He was one of the pre-eminent Norwegian oceanographers and fishery experts of his day. He is best remembered for his collection of photographs and films from his expeditions as well as for his large and detailed fishing archive. In 1912, he became the consultant for the Fishery Directorate (Fiskeridirektoret) and he held that role until 1940 although he effectively continued in post, from Buckie, until 1946.
Iversen was a sailor, whaler and fisherman until 1900 when he became employed on board the "Michael Sars". He advanced to the captain, but also led expeditions with others until the First World War. During this period, he also received several grants to study the fishing industry in other countries. In the years after the end of the First World War, he was responsible for managing fish supplies. From 1923, Iversen resumed work on fishing and sea surveys focusing almost exclusively in northern waters. Here he probably made his most significant effort (1923-1940) and appeared almost as a polar scientist and explorer. He worked extensively with Greenland and in connection with the extensive fishing in Svalbard area, particularly in the late 1930s. Officially, he retired from the Fiskeridirektoret in 1940. |
An early photograph showing Thor Iversen second from the right. Also shown, second from the left, is Johan Hjørt, the Director of the Fiskeridirketoret. (Photograph: Bergen Museum).
On 10 October 1941, Thor Iversen, skippering his own boat, M/S Von (B 12 B), left Solsvik near Bergen with three others on board (Ferdinand Buck, Herbert Lien and Olav Åsen). They landed in Lerwick on the 14 October and had successfully escaped occupied Norway.
After time in London, Iversen came to Buckie to run the Divisional Fishing Office. He continued in this role until the end of the war. He was responsible for the practical day-to-day management of the fisheries and the office (detailed below) but also spent considerable time and effort in planning the shape of Norwegian fishing after the end of the war. During his time in Buckie, he worked at Kintrae in East Church Street (the Royal Norwegian Consulate) and he himself lived in Cliff Street. |
After the end of the war, he presented a radio lecture series on NRK entitled iceberg catch on the NRK radio. He received a number of awards and honours. His collection of around 8000 photographs and films is now managed by the Thor Iversen Samlinger.
As a result of his work, the Instititute of Marine Research named their research vessel "Thor Iversen" pictured right around 1956; this remodelled Dutch trawler was used between 1951 and 1968 for research purposes and practical fishing experiments. The southernmost point on the island of Hopen is called "Kapp Thor" in honour of Iversen. He died on 10 November 1953 at the age of 80. |
Photograph courtesy of Museene for Kystkultur og gjenreisning
i Finnmark IKS (Creative Commons). |
The Fisheries Office (Fiskerikontoret) was established on May 31, 1940, under Nortraship which ran all Norwegian merchant shipping under the control of the government-in-exile (i.e. all vessels that had been at sea or in foreign ports at the point of surrender). The first Norwegian fishing vessels came to Buckie in Scotland in May 1940 and were placed under the auspices of the Fisheries Office as they entered the port from Norway. By Royal Decree (31 January 1941), the Fisheries Office was transferred from Nortraship to the Ministry of Commerce (Handelsdepartementet) with effect from 1 January 1941.
Agreements were reached early on (18 May 1940) between the British and Norwegian governments about the ownership and purchase of ships. On 31 January 1941, there was a declaration stating that available fishing vessels (excluding whaling vessels), ships and similar smaller vessels should come under the control of the Ministry of Commerce. The administration of these vessels was the Fisheries Office's primary function.