Arendal’s Beloved “Pelle” Returns to Water

Why this is here: Artisans are hand-forging approximately 25,000 rivets to rebuild the steamship “Pelle,” preserving a traditional craft facing potential extinction.

In Arendal, Norway, a group of dedicated enthusiasts are restoring the historic steamship “Pelle” to return it to service by 2029. Originally built as a luxury yacht in Kristiania (now Oslo) for shipping magnate Herman Eger in 1900, “Pelle” later became a popular ferry transporting passengers to the island of Merdø for 78 years.

The ship sank in Oslo in 1972, but the DS Pelle foundation purchased the wreck for roughly one US dollar in 2007. It received protected status from the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage in 2018, securing 12 million Norwegian kroner for restoration.

Currently, craftspeople at the Bredalsholmen maritime center in Kristiansand are rebuilding “Pelle” piece by piece, even hand-forging roughly 25,000 rivets. While the project aims to preserve a vital piece of Arendal’s maritime history, the restoration of such a complex wooden vessel presents ongoing challenges in sourcing materials and maintaining traditional skills. Work continues to prepare the ship for a planned launch coinciding with Arendalsuka in 2029.