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Norway

With such a ship he could drift with and thereby prove the theory of the current, and at the same time hopefully drift over or very near to the North Pole. A windmill was included on board, which ran a generator to provide electric power for lighting by electric arc lamps. A triple expansion steam engine of 220 hp gave a speed of 6-7 nm/hour in calm seas.

The plan called for the construction of such a ship as had never been seen before – one that could withstand the crushing pressures of the pack ice in the Arctic Ocean, for several years.

Archer made three models and four drawings before the construction started, and adjustments and changes were made constantly during the construction. The materials were hand-picked: oak and iron in the main, with pitch pine, Norwegian pine and greenheart in addition.

Bunk beds for the crew for the several years long voyage.

Moreover, it had to provide a comfortable home for the crew, who would have to be prepared to spend several years on board.

The proportion of wide beam compared with the length gave better strength in the ice, but also made the Fram roll most uncomfortably in the open sea.

The separate pieces were either laid double or were strengthened in various ways. The ribs were of naturally-formed oak bolted two together for double strength and laid only 5 cm apart. The space between was filled with a mixture of pitch, tar and sawdust.

The ice sheathing on the outside of the hull was of greenheart and was fastened so that it could be torn off by the ice without seriously damaging the hull. Greenheart is hard and durable and is the densest wood that is traded.

Model view of the ship stuck in the ice as it flowed with the frozen ocean currents across the North Pole trip.

The keel had been designed originally to stick very little below the bottom planks in order to protect it and give a shallower draft and better manuverability in the ice. This did, however, make the ship difficult to steer in open sea. A false keel, stem to stern, was added so that it could be torn off by the ice without seriously damaging the main keel.

Inside the museum the sides of the building show massive storms in video as you walk the ship. So real with the claps of lightning and thunder.

In addition to the choice of materials and the extra strengthening of the hull, there were other adaptations that would make the Fram resistant to damage from the ice. The rudder was strengthened with three heavy U-shaped iron frames and both the rudder and the propeller could be lifted up. The stern had a special construction that gave a double end with a well in between.

This was divided into two parts where the rudder and the propeller could be hoisted away from the ice. The rudder was sited low so as to avoid most of the inevitable collisions with ice.

Actual photograph of the ship stuck in place riding the frozen ice currents.

The Fram was designed as a three-masted schooner, with the standing rigging of steel wire and the running rigging of hemp. On 26 October 1892 the Fram was christened by Nansen’s wife Eva and launched at Colin Archer’s shipyard in Larvik.

A view of the harbor with the new Opera House and to its left the new ultra modern Library.

Modern buildings in the harbor area next to the Opera House

New residential builidings with magnificant views of the city and harbor areas.

View from the roof looking down at the tourists walking up to the roof area of the Opera House.

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