By Tore Christiansen-ex Mariner - 25 November 2025

My seagoing carreer started in 1949 as a 16 year old deck boy onboard the ss Norefjord, in dock at Akers Mek. in Oslo, Norway delivered onboard by my dear uncle Arne. This is the beginning of my diaries written from my seagoing days, only from 1953, 17th of January, on board the Norwegian motor ship ms Alvdal.

My first voyage was an 8 month roundtrip to East Afrika via the Suez Canal to Mombasa and Madagaskar onboard the ss Norefjord.

I later sailed on several ships but did not start writing my diaries until 1953 on the ms Alvdal. I was 20 years old when I started this diary. (Missing pages will be added bit by bit)

1st of January. At sea for Guayaquil by the Panama Canal.

Nice sunny weather, temperature 24°C, course 164°C, speed limit approximately 15 knots.

Yeah, some New Year, the most lively one I've ever seen. Some was fighting, some quarreling, and the rest sleeping all about the decks. They were in horrible trouble with the old man, too. He called it a mutiny, and tore the shirt off Almehagen. The captain was far from being sober himself, nor was that damned second engineer, walking about spread-legged with his mind only on one thing, making the lives as sour as possible for everyone. Never mind, it ain't my business anyway. Believe it or not, I was sober all the time.

We had a union meeting midships at 10 this morning. Everybody was going to pay off if the second engineer didn't get kicked ashore, but they soon came to that damn fact that nobody had seen or could remember to have seen the fight between those two certain persons. So therefore, what can you do without proof? They decided just to forget about it. After all, it turned out to be the Trigo's own fault. He shouldn't have called his partner a bum, which was what started the trouble.

Well, a couple of days more and we are in that lovely country Ecuador again. I wish somebody would have dropped an A-bomb there. Get rid of the whole shit. Sorry, but that's not the way I feel about it. We'll probably arrive at Cristobal tomorrow morning.

2nd of January, at sea for Guayaquil.

Nice weather, temperature 26 plus.Arrived Cristobal at 1730 and anchored. There's a Knudsen line here too. Greased all the pennants on the foredeck and two hours by the wheel. Didn't wash my clothes today either. Svendsen, the third mate, had his birthday at New Year, but they were celebrating it today. He's around a 54. Damned as it feels now. Damned hot it feels now. Such a damp'n hot climate. Some eastbound ship came out of the Gatun Lake this afternoon.

I wonder if it would be one of the Brøvik lines. Had a couple of beers today. More expenses. My 'slap' bill won't be too high this month. I reckon, (good thing at that.) Should have written a couple of letters from here, never mind, it isn't that urgent. Got a Christmas telegram from my mother'n the kids today, kind of late, huh?. Never mind, the meaning and words are there. I sure would'dv liked to see em right now.

3rd of January, in the Panama Canal bound for Guayaquil.

Fine weather, temperature 27+. Got a strong shower right after midday, got wet right through. Started on the canal at 05:30, finished at 14:30. Painted a little on the foredeck, but had to quit it when the rain came. Well, that was the canal again,for which time? I think I could steer through here blindfolded. Here I am again, dreaming of Kristiansand and its beautiful women and gals. Boy, would I have liked a cruise on the Kristiansand harbour with my uncle's motorboat right now. Well, that'll happen again sooner or later. Got the bedclothes changed today and it sure was in time. They were stinking of sweat.

How about having a couple of trips more? Can I make it? Think I have to. I'm just reading an exciting book named Dope Doll'n and the Bigamy Kiss, written by Steve Harragan. He writes much like Mickey Spillane. You'll find the same hunger for pretty women and tough fights in both editors' minds. It is of course no reading of scientific interest, but just that kind of reading most people like when they are relaxing at home. (50 cents stuff anyway). Well, that's all for today I reckon, feeling a bit dizzy today. Probably the same reason as always. The climate.

4th of January, in Guayaquil

Fine weather, temperature 24°C, course 191. Washed a hell of a lot of clothes today, I only can find a place to dry them. The clothes lines are all taken. Chicken for dinner and some kind of fromage for dessert. Finished the criminal book today, real thrilling it was. We'll arrive, Guayaquil tomorrow afternoon sometime I guess. I hope I get the overnight watchman job, so I don't have to use my 'dough'. I don't have any anyway. Homesick again, huh? There is a certain 'dish' in Stavanger I'd like to see right now.

Haven't received a line from her for months. What's cooking? There is two possibilities, one, she's fallen in love with somebody else, two, she's stark mad at me. You can describe the females in two groups, one, the kind that's easy to get along with, the kind you can read as an open book, and two, the animal female that kisses you and loves you with heart and soul one day and hates you the next day, willing to see you dangle from a tree, without even moving their beautiful eyelids. Oh no, sir, I'd like to see that male who understand a female of that type. I often wonder about that 'dish' on Riverbell, did she really go for me or was it pure imagination? I won't know until I get in touch with her again, if I ever do.

....... 5 to 7 missing

8th of January, in Puerto Bolívar.

Nice weather, 23 degrees. Painted the green belt all around. I nearly had to hit the boss today, he was drunk, fucking around, looked like a tough guy. That's his luck, that I know him so well, if not, we would probably have blue eyes tomorrow. Went ashore, and here, borrowed three dollars from the deck boy. Feel rotten, probably leaving late tonight.

9th of January, at sea for New Orleans.

Via the Panama Canal, left Puerto Bolívar at approximately 0300 this morning, Fine weather, work started with super white enamel on the stern deck. We got our books today, my account was on 126 kroner, more than I'd expected and only 96 kroner in the 'slappchest', good, probably the slapp I have to use tonight. The boss is feeling pretty bad today, in a sort of nervous condition, I know how it feels, I'll probably try to get paid off next trip, later on it might be too hard getting a ship in European trade. Got to start saving some dough now. If I don't pay off here, I'll have to buy something for the 'dish' in Guayaquil as well, it was a dress she wanted.

10th of January, in sea for New Orleans.

We are in the Panama Canal again, nice weather, temperature 25 degrees, painted on the foredeck with red lead, finished work at 3 p.m. Wrote a letter to the company, asking them why they won't let me pay off, I'm going to mail that letter right away, 'no dice'.Delivered' the book to the Spark yesterday, hope I'll make it this trip, will probably arrive Panama late tonight or tomorrow morning, Almehagen, the steward, Paulin and Sigmar, the electrician, is going to pay off this trip. Am I going to join them? Got to wash some clothes tomorrow. What about Bitten, is she going to drop me a line soon, it's her turn?

Played my favourite song just now, I heard my favorite song just now, "Why don't you believe me", damn nice song, makes me getting dreamy eyed and remembering a certain 'dish' in New Orleans, guess who? I guess it won't do me no good seeing her again anyway, I fucked around too much. Got to send a letter to father and his wife, Mr. Boo and my aunt Gudrun and all the time we're sailing from one port to another, over mighty oceans and the days passing by without anything happening, eat, sleep, rest, always the same, well I'm getting used to it now, not too much vacation though.

....11 to 16 missing

Saturday, 17 January, 1953. In New Orleans. Nice weather.

I drew $50 yesterday and spent all of it. Didn't even buy a handkerchief. Too bad, after all that's a half a month's pay. Didn't find Charlotte nor Don and Frank. Joe's quit the River Belle. He didn't dare stay there. Too much brandy around.

His brother Walter and his niece Jimmy took over while Joe's working in a joint in Frenchtown. Well, let's hope he gets over it soon. By the way, some nice fellows they are, Walter and Jimmy, the barmaid Marilyn. She lent me a dollar and asked if I wanted more. I refused, of course.

Rinaldo and me was at the Cadillac Club tonight. Some costly joint. The entrance fee is $50 and there's plenty of dames there. Just ordinary people as you and I. Believe me or not, I danced all night and I never used to dance at all. Very seldom, anyway.

Sunday, 18th of January, in New Orleans. Nice weather.

Know where I woke up this morning. In the saloon girl's cabin amidships. What do you give me for that? I sure must have felt dizzy when I came aboard last night. No damage done. And the funny part is that I can't remember anything but me frying pork chops in the kitchen of the River Belle.

Got bad news from home. Grandfather died just before Christmas, and that father got a report from the company saying that I am a drunkard and not reliable. You can imagine. I got kind of shocked when I heard that. A good thing that it was only a misunderstanding. I told the old man to inform my father about it and the company.

I got letters from Father, Aunt Dagmar, Uncle Arne, and Italien Varsami, who I once shared a cabin with. And at last but not least, a Christmas card from Joan. Didn't expect it.

Monday, 19th of January. In New Orleans, grey weather

Left the pier at 9am in the morning to the bunker place10 minutes down river. Left bunker place at 1.15pm. We nearly had to leave without Bergen. He came to the bunker place 15 minutes before we left. It doesn't feel too good now. 50 bucks spent on nothing. Wasted dough. I could go crazy. Didn't manage to pay off this trip either.

I probably never will. Didn't send any mail from here. The happy paid-off crew. This time was the Stuart, Signe, Paulin and Walter. Boy, were I sick today and such dreams at night. Gosh, I gotta take it easy from now on.

Tuesday 20th January. Ar sea bound for Guayaquil

Putting up ribs in number 1 and 2. I am feeling very tired and where is my good mood? Just can't find it myself.

Wednesday, 21st of January. At sea bound for Guayaquil.

Nice weather. Temperature 25. Course 154 degrees. Finished the number 4 hatch and place a new rope in number 2. Passed a Danish ship this afternoon. Got that misunderstanding about me being a drunkard and all cleared up. The old man's written a letter to both father and the company, which says it's all nonsense. Wrote a letter for father today. Nothing else. Feeling careless about everything. Now, stop feeling so damn sorry for yourself. Where's your old fighting spirit?

Sure, mule, do not give up, but keep going straight on until you end up as a captain. You only hurt yourself the way you are now. The chief mate gave us guys on deck a shot and a beer for fast work with the rooms. Nice done. Guess I better hit the sack now,it's late and I'll have to get up at 11:30 am on my watch. Rinsing a little clothes overnight.

22 to 23 missing......

Saturday, 24th of January. Still at sea for Guayaquil.

Steel brushed the iron deck on the mast house and oiled it, just a half. Took over a book from one of the canal crew, it's named Across the River and Into the Woods, by Hemingway. I often catch myself wondering what became of Ellie, the nurse I met in Gothenburg last winter. I haven't heard from her in nine to ten months.

I don't really matter, I was just wondering. I should have washed my dungarees, tomorrow, will do. We're probably arriving Guayaquil at Monday morning. We're carrying five passengers this trip, old folks, no chicks to neck with.

If I could have had a wish coming through now, what I would have chosen? Being in Oslo with a lot of money as company, brother, would I have had a swell time? The galley boy baked some cakes today. They have had much in common with rubber. To think of all the fine stuff being wasted, and all the people in Europe still starving, it makes no sense.

If I am to serve still six months on this ship, I better start sending some money home. I won't mind having some cabbage around when at last on vacation. By the way, if you want to become a third mate in the future, you better start practicing on your books a little. It doesn't hurt, you know. You've gotten to dangerously careless about many things. Don't let that get a hold on you.

Sunday, 25 January. In sea for Guayaquil

Cloudy weather. Some rain. Temperature 25 degrees plus. Chicken and ice cream for dinner. Well, which interesting things has happened today? Looked over my wardrobe today. All in a mess. I got to buy a new suit, I guess. Feeling more and more daffy every day. The time is passing very slowly today. Some days at sea always used to be like that. Everybody sleeping, relaxing before another six days of work.

Found an old clipping from a Norwegian magazine. It's about the MTB boats and crew and what they did for our country during the last world war. It occurs to me that most of the lieutenants and captains of those boats were just fellows around the twenties. I know that if I'm taking the mate school first, and make it, then join the Navy, when finished I'll have a lieutenant's grade or be a weaponings-officer in the Merchant Navy.

I think I would be enjoying that kind of life. If I could just wake up from this dizziness I've caught on this ship, everything would be fine. As it is now, it's a nightmare. I wont get rid of that until I've left this ship. Bergen is going to pay off this ship, delivery his books today.

26th of January, bound for Guayaquil

Nice weather. Just another day, thats all, nothing worth writing about. Washed som clothes.

27th of January, in Guayaquil.

Arrived at 11am, took up 200 sukre and borrowed 3 dollars of Sjoennesen. Went ashore and met my flower Maria, had some drinks and things at nightclub Isabelle. Beer is the only thing that`s drinkable down here anyway. Maria and I were out dining til 2am, and went onboard at 5am. Fell in the seawater, or let's say jumped, with the intention to save one of the guys which fell in. Guess my suit trousers are spoiled.

28th of January, in Guayaquil.

Nice weather, for the devil anyway. Painted the ship side all over, she is a beauty now, our beloved Alvdal. Drank a hell of a lot of beers while working today and caught a bad stomach ache by night. Went ashore and met my said becoming wife, she still wants me to marry her, what a pity that such a nice proposal is going to be wasted, she is a nice girl though and I simply can't stand to leave her company, poor girl. I promised last trip to buy her a dress, and I never as much as gave it a thought, it really is a shame, well we must see the next trip, if only the desire for highballs and dames doesn't get me before I hit some clothing store. Hit the sack at 3am, and would you believe, stone sober.

29th of January, in Guayaquil.

Nice weather, but with an always eager sun burning our backs. Bought dozens of beers today, brother were I thirsty, left at 7pm. Here we go again, 8 days more, and it's New Orleans again for God knows how many times. I hope indeed I'll get to buy some clothes in the long run. This can't keep on, or I'll end my days as a bum. I've told the radio operator to send home 600 kroner for me this month, or next. It'll be hard, but I can make it. What a terrible handwriting. Never mind, nobody's gonna see this book anyway. Well, sure?

30th of January, in Porto Bolívar.

Arrived at 12.30am, Mjoelund, Almehagen, and the galley boy came by ferry from Guayaquil at 3am. They remained in Guayaquil when we left last night, damn lucky they were. The watches runs. I've just finished a thriller named Navy Colt, an exciting book, good writer. We're probably leaving tonight. We're going to load 1,800 bunches of bananas here, and that's 3,800 with the ones we got in Guayaquil. Finished painting the green belt today, stopped work at 4pm, washed some clothes today. My book account probably won't be too high this month. My slapchest bill is high this month. Lendt a book in Spanish from Furuholmen. I can as well try to learn some Spanish while I'm having a chance.

I intend to stay put tonight. Too much shore leave just ain't no good. And besides, what a place, can't imagine what anybody likes this swamp. Know what I have liked right now? Go hunting those big condors outside Bolivia in the direction of Machala. The trees are crowded with them, big evil bastards. Too bad one isn't permitted to carry a rifle on the ship. I'd have chosen a Mossberg model 46M, tubular repeater. It's a caliber 22, short, long and long rifled cartridges. They're small and handy for small hunting. The radio the company gave us as a Christmas present works badly. There's too many disturbing noises to catch the program, even at short distances. It's a Halicraft, model Continental.

31st of January. At sea, bound for New Orleans.

Nice weather. The direction out at open sea when leaving Port of Bolivar is right, north. Painted the officer's bathroom. Brushed and oiled the mast house deck. Should have washed some clothes, better do it tomorrow. There's an old saying, don't do today what you can do tomorrow. Looked over some maps from Norway, home, right now. I sure would have liked to be there this summer. Got a big stack of hometown newspapers yesterday.

That didn't make me feel any better. Homesick, I am all excited to see if there is any letters from Joan this time. It's her turn to write. Well, that was another month away from Norway. Brother, this month sure was a slow one. To think of that, I've been on board here for nearly a year. Unbelievable. It seems like ten to me. Wow, now, don't you overdo it. It hasn't been that bad, huh?

And then, God knows, came New Year's Eve. I don't know what happened. There's no note of it here. So, that's it, perhaps more when I`ve done my studies at the Bergen and Stavanger Navigation School.

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