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Timeline

1876

Maipu (later Nornen) built in Bordeaux, France

Illustration of a ship with magestic. Image provided courtesy of Brevik Historielag.

Image courtesy of Brevik Historielag

Old black and white photo of the John Godfrey Morris crew circa 1890s. Image provided courtesy of RNLI ​

John Godfrey Morris crew circa 1890s

Image courtesy of RNLI

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1888

Maipu bought by Samuel Christen Larsen in Brevik, Norway, and renamed Nornen

Barometer belonging to C J Larsen. Image provided courtesy of Halvor Nielson, C J Larsen's Great Grandson ​

1887

John Godfrey Morris lifeboat brought into service in Burnham-On-Sea

Old sepia portrait photograph of Samuel C Larsen. Image provided courtesy of Halvor Nielson, S C Larsen's Great Great Grandson ​

Samuel C Larsen

Image courtesy of Halvor Nielson,

S C Larsen's Great Great Grandson

1888 - 1891

Led by Captain Christen Johan Larsen, Samuel's son.

Barometer belonging to C J Larsen

Image courtesy of Halvor Nielson,

C J Larsen's Great Grandson

1891 - 1894

Led by Skipper Severin Paus, including an ice trade trip from Brevik to New York, a journey of 22 days

07/01/1897

Listed in the Port of Bristol Bills of Entry as bringing resin and turpentine from Brunswick, USA

02/03/1897   

Nornen tries to take refuge in the lee of Lundy during catastrophic storms, but drifts helplessly

1894 - 1897

Led by Captain Peder Olsen, carrying Pitch Pine from USA to England

08/02/1897

Set sail for Brunswick

03/03/1897   

Nornen spotted beached on Berrow Sands and crew rescued by lifeboat John Godfrey Morris

Chart indicating the Nornen's likely journey from Lundy Island to Berrow Beach. Image provided courtesy of Nigel Stokes

Chart indicating the Nornen's likely journey from Lundy Island to Berrow Beach

Image courtesy of Nigel Stokes

31/03/1897   

Hull, stores and provisions auctioned at 12 noon by Messrs. Palmer & Stirling

1978

“The Berrow Wreck” booklet by Christopher Jordan is published by Thornbury Press

2009

Anchor discovered close to the wreck site

02/04/1897   

Nornen sold as a wreck and stripped down

2006

Model of The Nornen is anonymously donated to the Burnham RNLI

2023

Theatre production All Hands! staged, and a Civic Reception held by Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council bring together descendants of the story for the first time, and see items added to the Berrow Village Hall's Nornen display.

20240110_175658.jpg

Figurehead and 2006 model, both now on permanent display at Berrow Village Hall.

Image courtesy of Berrow Village Hall

Metal etching of The Nornen and her figurehead, gifted to Berrow Village Hall by Brevik and Vicinity Seamen's Society.

Image courtesy of Berrow Village Hall

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