The Philip B. Petersen Collection Broadcast August 24, 1989

     Robert Asp of Moorhead, Minnesota dreamed of building a genuine replica of a Viking ship which he planned to sail to Norway as an expression to Norwegian immigrants for their contributions to the development of America and to leave a legacy of Norwegian art and craftsmanship.
     Ten years later, the full-size 76-foot, 20-ton oak Viking ship, complete in every detail including a dragon head at the bow, was launched into Lake Superior.
     It was named "Hjemkomst" which is Norwegian for "Homecoming."  Captain Robert Asp sailed his ship proudly on Lake Superior getting her ready for the long voyage.  A few months later, Robert Asp died but his spirit lived on in his daughter and three sons who vowed that they would make sure that his ship would sail to Norway.  They would go as members of the crew of twelve.  The trip started on the 6th of May, 1982, with a Norwegian ship captain and went through the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal, and down the Hudson River to New York.
     Leaving New York, they were in the open sea for the next 34 days.  Their only contact with land was by amateur radio.  The Viking amateur radio operator was Jeff Solum, KAØNEX.
     I joined with a group of radio amateurs here and in Norway who talked with Jeff several times each day exchanging information and sending personal messages to and from their families back in Minnesota.
     Daily I plotted the Viking ship's position on a wall map.  They were making about 5 miles an hour and were helped by the Gulf Stream.  Jeff was late one morning when they were about 700 miles east of New York.  He said, "We had a severe storm last night and the boat was leaking rapidly.  The crew was bailing water all night.  We found a 12-foot long open crack next to the keel and now have the leak stopped with a temporary repair.  The storm tore the dragon head off the bow and it is lying on the deck.  We are wondering if we should go on or turn back for repairs."  The weather improved and they apprehensively continued on.  They saw a large whale and then for several days dolphins would follow them and come close to the ship when they played music.  The ship was hardly moving when one of the crew tied himself to the ship with a long rope and jumped overboard for a swim in the middle of the ocean.
     As the Hjemkomst was nearing the coast of Norway, the news spread and many boats went out to greet her.  On the 19th of July, 1982, Robert Asp's dream did come true.  His wife Rose was there to see the fulfillment of his dreams as the Hjemkomst with her Viking crew came into Bergen harbor, Norway, with a large escort of boats, after completing a voyage of 6,352 nautical miles in 74 days.
     The Hjemkomst was returned to America where it is on display in the new Clay County Museum in Moorhead, Minnesota.
     I never met Captain Robert Asp, but I do hope to see his Viking ship.  This story gives me fond memories of my parents who came to America in the 1800s from Norway and fulfilled their dreams, and also of the brother, father, grandfather, uncle and cousin who were all ship captains.

August 24, 1989

** Broadcasts recordings preserved and presented here by Mr. Robert Buss and Mr. Bernie Ricciardi, Phil's friends and fellow Marconi Chapter 138 QCWA members **

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