Photo of Harstad city center taken in the afternoon on a winter's day. Photo: Øivind Arvola

The arctic way

Living and working in the arctic

Nestled in the frigid embrace of the Arctic, our headquarters takes its place in Harstad, a historic northern Norwegian coastal town adorned with a vibrant cultural heritage. The maritime, fishing, and oil and gas industries flourish here, making Harstad a strategic hub in the north.

Yet, within this coastal gem, the weather can be unpredictable which creates challenges. The landscape transforms into a battlefield where frosty storms, relentless blizzards, and bone-chilling temperatures join forces with their allies: the insidious humidity and gnawing rust. This alliance of elements forms a strong adversary, relentless against boats, ships, and vessels every year. The unforgiving climate can be ruthless to vessels that are not sufficiently prepared.

For our workers, the Arctic environment provides an exceptional backdrop to their daily professional activities. As specialists in ship design and maritime engineering, they have a deep appreciation for the distinctive maritime landscape and the challenges it poses.

With each dawn heralding a polar twilight, they brave the arctic nights, where the sun’s fearful ascent barely touches the horizon. It is a symbiotic relationship where challenges are met with unwavering determination, strengthened by the dance of the mesmerizing northern lights, which illuminate the sky with their captivating aurora during the ethereal dark season.

Locations

In addition to our head office in Harstad, we have offices in Svolvær, Bergen, Stavanger and soon Narvik.

Harstad

Harstad

68.48°N 16.32°Ø

Harstad, known as Hàrsttàk in Northern Sami, is located in the northeast on the largest island in Norway called Hinnøya. A proud coastal town surrounded by beautiful and majestic nature, it has ancient roots dating back to the Stone Age and has blossomed into a bustling hub for culture, history, and industry. Today, Harstad has grown to become the second-largest municipality in Troms and Finnmark.

With a total area of 445.21 km² and a population of around 25,000, or 11,000 households, Harstad is more than just numbers; its vibrant local life makes it a center for events of all sizes year-round. The city offers a range of cultural features, including concerts, performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, lectures, and more.

For nature enthusiasts, there’s no need to despair. You can witness the fascinating northern lights, a heavenly ballet that graces the winter sky, or experience the midnight sun that illuminates both day and night in the summer. Take a boat ride to the archipelago or go hiking on Sætertinden, Harstad’s tallest peak. With nature right outside your door, there’s an abundance of activities for every season. What are you waiting for?”

Image of Harstad city, 2021
Photo: Jan Schmitt David Buettner

445,21

km²

25k

citizens

11k

households

Opportunities in the city

Anna Rodge

Dreaming of moving
to this destination?

Photo of the ship “Anna Rogde”, the world’s oldest sailing schooner, 2015
Photo: Harriet M. Olsen | Source: media.nordborge.com

Anna Rogde

About

Welcome aboard the venerable vessel “Anna Rogde” – the world’s oldest sailing ship! This ship is hailed as one of the greatest maritime treasures on the planet, a pride for Northern Norway as the 5th largest of historic sailing ships and the northernmost of its kind. Now let me tell you about the enchanting story behind “Anna Rogde”, a story as sweet and melodious as a mermaid. It is a romantic and extraordinary tale of how two souls came together.

Photos of “Anna Rogde” on a summer day in Harstad. | Date: Unknown
Photo: Yvonne Holth | Source: media.nordborge.com

The history

In the year 1868, a wooden schooner with a slim top was made, christened «Anna af Bergen». On 20 August of the same year, the vessel met the waves for the first time.

At that time there was a great need for fast transport, especially for food. This requirement gave birth to a renaissance in shipping. Modern design and technology allowed vessels to move faster with the waves and make better use of the wind as a new symphony was born. These new vessels danced nimbly through narrow waters and required a smaller crew.

And then came the fateful year 1872. «Anna Rogde» was bought by the opportunistic enterprising skipper from Hardanger, Isak Rogde. On one of his many trips to Bergen, Isak met the beautiful Anna Hansen from the small island of Kjøtta outside the coastal town of Harstad. He might have already lost from this moment. A sweet harmony blossomed between them, leading to a union in which vows were exchanged.

Anna didn’t like Hardanger very much, so perhaps Isak pondered: “Happy wife. Happy life?” if they moved to her home place. Or wait, was that a common saying in the 19th century? Anyway, a loaded «Anna Rogde» was ready to set course to the north. Kjøtta was a booming market for the dried fish industry that kept them going. A family shipping venture was born, centered around the transport and sale of dried cod on the rugged Kjøtta coast. The business flourished, and passed through sons and grandsons, spanning over a century, so that the schooner «Anna Rogde» remained in the Rogde family.

Although both the ship «Anna af Bergen» and the bride Anna underwent name changes during these times, «Anna Rogde» did not get its official name until 1990. Today you can visit the house and pier that once thrived under the Rogde family’s management. on Kjøtta with the vessel «Anna Rogde».

Navigation

Enten du lengter etter å være en del av mannskapet eller begi deg ut som en eventyrlysten sjel, er det en skattekiste av havfylte steder å utforske. Ikke bekymre deg. Hvis det ikke er noe kall til Kjøtta, går det mange turer til den majestetiske Vågsfjorden.

“Anna Rogde” has left her mark in a sea symphony, from the frosty embrace of Svalbard to the sun-kissed coasts south of Brest in France. She has waltzed along the coasts of Spain, Portugal and many more Atlantic jewels. In the old days, her staff cut through the arctic waves to reach the shores of Arkhangelsk and Murmansk.

Yet her heart beats forever in harmony with the sea, where she thrives. A legacy, like ebb and flow, that lasts through time.

Photo of a bell on the ship “Anna Rogde” | Date: Unknown
Photo: Yvonne Holth | Source: media.nordborge.com

Photos of “Anna Rogde” during sunset in the summer | Date: 2015
Photo: Harriet M. Olsen | Source: media.nordborge.com

The history

I 1868 ble en slett-toppet skonnert av tre bygd. Hun fikk navnet “Anna af Bergen”, og den 20. august samme året ble skonnerten sjøsatt for første gang. På den tiden var det stort behov for hurtigere transport, spesielt av mat. På grunn av det økende behovet fikk fraktefarten en stor utvikling. Nyere design og teknologi førte til at man gikk bort fra brede og falte jektene med råseil. Man valgte heller hurtigere skip som kunne utnytte vinden på en bedre måte. De nye skipene var lettere å manøvrere i trange farvann og krevde mindre mannskap.

Så kom dagen. I 1872 ble “Anna Rogde” kjøpt opp av den opportunistiske Hardanger skipperen Isak Rogde. På en av de mange turene hans til Bergen skjedde det noe litt uvanlig. Isak møtte Anna Hansen fra den lille øya Kjøtta utenfor Harstad, og mulig slaget allerede var tapt for han. Det oppsto i alle fall søt musikk mellom dem. Det ble bryllup hvor de ga hverandre sitt ja.

Ikke lenge etter bryllupet gikk ferden nordover. Anna likte seg ikke så godt i Hardanger hvor Isak var fra, så det ble bestemt at de flyttet til Kjøtta. Kanskje han tenkte “Happy life? Happy wife”? Eller vent var det i det hele tatt et vanlig ordtak på 1800-tallet? Uansett. Det var et godt marked for tørrfiskindustrien som de levde av. Et familierederi basert på frakt og salg av tørket klippfisk på bergene i Kjøtta ble startet opp. Virksomheten gikk så godt at både sønner og sønnesønner driftet den i igjennom 100 år slik at skonnerten “Anna Rogde”  kunne forbli i familien. 

Selv om både skuta “Anna af Bergen” på den tid og bruden Anna skiftet navn, fikk ikke “Anna Rogde” sitt offisielle navn før i 1990. I dag kan man besøke Kjøtta med “Anna Rogde” for å se både brygga og huset som en gang i sin tid ble driftet av familien Rogde. 

Contact

Sør-Troms museum

Address: Trondenesveien 122, 9404 Harstad, NORWAY

Phone: +47 770 18 380

E-mail: annarogde@stmu.no

Phone number:
+47 770 58 400

E-mail:
firmapost@polarkonsult.com

Address:
Margrethe Jørgensens vei 13
N-9406 Harstad