VIDEO: Divers discover wreckage of tragic trawler Laforey 56 years on
THE wreck of the Laforey – the Grimsby trawler which sank off the coast of Norway in 1954 – has been found.
Divers have filmed footage of the wreck on the sea bed near the coastal city of Florø, which you can view online here today.
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The Grimsby trawler Laforey, which was lost off the coast of Norway in 1954 taking its 20-strong crew.
Rolleiv Solholm, chief editor of The Norway Post, said divers there have been trying to locate the wreckage for many years.
"We have known the area the trawler sank in since it happened but we have been unable to find the exact location because it is a very exposed area," he told the Telegraph.
"There are lots of exposed rocks, heavy seas and a strong undercurrent in the area which makes entering it very difficult.
"Last week a team of divers who have made attempts to get close to the wreck before finally managed to find it.
"They couldn't stay down for very long because the sea was battering them about and they were running out of oxygen but they did manage to film part of the wreckage."
The news has been welcomed by Gareth Evans, the grandson of Laforey skipper William Mogg.
He said: "I'm really excited."
Read more about the discovery – and from Mr Evans as well as from an ex-trawlerman who served on the Laforey – in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
Click here to view a video about the Laforey
8 Comments
by Ron Counte, Market Harborough
Sunday, April 10 2011, 8:01PM
“I have just heard about this and would very much like to get a link to the pdf which Mr Stromgren has kindly offered to post.
John Smith, my uncle, was one of the men who died on the ship.”
by Trond Stromgren, Batalden, Norway
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 8:15PM
“Dear readers. Thanks to Grimsby Telegraph for publishing the story of the discovery of the Laforey wreck. I live on the nearest island of the shipwreck and as author and local historian I have written a book about shipwrecks in the area. One of the chapters is about Laforey. I will for sure be to any assistant if anyone from Grimsby want to go to the place where Laforey rests.
If anyone is interested, I can make a link to a PDF-file with the complete Laforey chapter, including a number of photographs and the full text (in Norwegian, but with English photo captions and summary).”
by kylie bourne, louth
Friday, September 24 2010, 8:25PM
“would elaine hannah please contact linda stewart at the telegraph - my family have some information regarding the memorial site in norway and are very interested in talking with you.
Kind Regards,
Kylie”
by Kathleen Thinnesen, cleethorpes
Sunday, September 12 2010, 6:32PM
“I was very moved by the video of the Laforey. My cousin Tony Craven was on board the Laforey went it was lost. He was 16 years old. I remember by mother that morning, crying and constantly listening to the radio, as she waited for news. I was 10 years old. Until the day she died, (9 months ago) she kept a photo of Tony on her sideboard. In a way I am glad she never lived to see this video, knowing how much it would have upset her. However, for all the families concerned its brought closure, and its good to know the crews final resting place.”
by Elaine Hannah (nee Thompson), Holton Le Clay
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:42PM
“I was very moved about the recovery of the Laforey. My father sailed on her on the fatal voyage, the only time he sailed on her as a spare hand, as his own ship was in dock.
I was 4 years old at the time and did not remember him but my brother was 9 and did have more memories than me. Unfortunately he died in 1986 and my mother in 1990. She did not remarry after the death of my father and mot of my family are now deceased.
I would be interested in attending a memorial service or going to the site in Norway if anyone else is interested.
Sincerely
Elaine Hannah”
by Elaine Hannah (nee Thompson), Holton Le Clay
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:34PM
“At last the Laforey has been found and many families can rest in the knowledge of what happened.
My father was on the Laforey, he had gone as a spare hand as his regular ship was in dry dock, he was C Thompson of 141 Harold Street. At the time I was 4 years old and my brother, Chris, died 1986, was 9. Like many of the other families we grew up without our father. My mother passed away in 1990 and had never remarried.
I would like to put my father to rest and would be interested in attending a service or a visit to Norway as I'm sure many of the other family members of the men lost would be.”
by Lucy, Grimsby Telegraph
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:42PM
“Dear Jennifer, the link to the video is at the bottom of the text when you click into the page. Hope this helps. Lucy (news editor)”
by Jennifer, Grimsby
Saturday, September 04 2010, 1:01PM
“Wantd to watch the Laforey video but there was no link to it. Very disappointed. Jenny”