MS BYFJORD DIARY AUG-OCT 1956
By AI ChatGPT-Diary-Human Synthesis - 11 February 2026
As I had a long time ashore starting with my 1.5 year conscription in the KNM Stavanger destroyer, followed by almost 1 year study in the navigation schools in Bergen and Stavanger without income, I immediately signed on the MS Byfjord, virtually days after my final, successful exam, while my classmates took a long deserved holiday. The diary entries are not continuous, with breaks here and there. Remember, this is a PERSONAL diary from a young adventurous ship officer.
Signed on the M/S Byfjord of Stavanger in New Orleans on the 8th of August 1956 as a third mate.
21 August 1956 (Missing 8 to 20 August)
Joined the S/S Byfjord of Stavanger in New Orleans on the 8th of August as a third mate. At present she is chartered for the Alcoa Co. in Caribbean trade where she will continue till April next year. When this charter is out, we may be chartered for the United Fruit Co., to which the ship earlier has been chartered.
Tuesday 21/8
At present (2100 21/8) we are in the South-East Caribbean, approaching the Dragons Mouth which is the entrance to Port of Spain (Trinidad) to which we are bound. The weather is fine, with a moderate Easterly wind. Temp: 84°F. We reckon to arrive in Port of Spain on the 23/8 at about 05:00 A.M. As I did not sign on in the ship in Norway, I shall have to do so in Port of Spain. I had heard so many disadvantageous things about this ship that I got a pleasant surprise when I got acquainted with it. It is a good ship, not too fast, abt. 10 knots but with a nice crew and good working conditions. (Sure?)
Wednesday 22 August
I will try to make a bank deposit of 500 kr (about $70) a month, and as I intend to stay onboard for 2 years, it leaves me 12000 kr plus some %, or $1714.3, when the two years have passed. Caribbean Sea. We are now slowly approaching to Port of Spain, we will probably have the pilot at 11:30 P.M. and we are as usual arriving on my watch. It will be nice to meet Sigurd again. Signed on for $10. We shall only stay in P. of Sp. a couple of days, good at that, then we will have about 7 days or so at sea before we arrive in Mobile. It is strange to think of; only fourteen days ago I was home drinking beer at the âPavillionâ, and now I am here, half way around the world, but that is what one will have to get used to, I recon. I sent a letter for FatherâMother and miss Svaba in Kingston. Arrived at about 10:45 A.M. and anchored up on the bay.
23 August
Port of Spain. The pilot came onboard at 05:30 A.M. and proceeded to the pier (shed 2). Went ashore and signed on at the Norwegian Consulate. Called Sigmund on the phone, he had come to Port of Spain on Tuesday 21. Had some drinks and went onboard for dinner. Went to the Country Club where we met his girl friend, nice girl. They were going out that evening so they drove me onboard. Left town at 2000 to load bauxite. In the Caribbean sea.
Thursday 27. August.
Approaching to the Yucatan Channel. We will probably pass Cabo San Anthony at noon to night. Then thereâs about 48 hours till Mobile pilot. We have had a fine trip, shining weather every day, but to day we had some showers. I intend to buy a Hallicrafter in Mobile this trip, they cost about 46 $. Have written letters for Father, BjĂśrn and Eva Greta. It will be nice to see Natasha again, if she does remember me at all. Iâm about $3 on the book this month, not so bad after all.
2/9 Sun.
Met Mr. Joseph Killian & Lillian. Kind of a bar & bacardi party at Joeâs place, came onboard at 0500 in the morning.
3/9 Mon.
Labourers Day. Joseph, Mrs Demichanko and her daughter Natasha picked us (the crew) up at 1700 and we drove out to Geneâs place on the Dog River. Lillian was there, and a German couple Sperlings from New Orleans. We drank beer and swam in the river, beautiful spot. Later on Mrs Demichanko invited us home to their place for a âstirfryâ and beer. It was a nice, roomy apartment on Dolphin St. I got Natashaâs address and phone number, got to give her a call when we come back.
4/9 Tues.
Called Natasha on the phone just to say hello, she sounded very friendly and was glad that I phoned.
5/9 Wedn.
Left Mobile this afternoon, 4 weeks in will be back.
27/9 Thurs.
Approaching to the Yucatan Channel.
We will probably pass Cabo San Anthony at noon to night. Then thereâs about 48 hours till Mobile pilot. We have had a fine trip, shining weather every day, but to day we had some showers. I intend to buy a Hallicrafter in Mobile this trip, they cost about 46 $. Have written letters for Father, BjĂśrn and Eva Greta. It will be nice to see Natasha again, if she does remember me at all. Iâm about $3 on the book this month, not so bad after all.
Missing diaries 28 Sept. to 07 October.
(8/10)
Mobile. Was with the Dumchenkoâs this time, Nat. and a friend drove me across the bay to a wonderful home by the waterfront where her sister lived. Bought a radio in Mobile this trip, itâs a R.C.A. Victor, portable, payed $60 then and shall pay the rest, $40 when we get back to M. ($100)
Got a letter from mother this trip, but still not a word from father, how come? I wonder if Iâll ever get an answer to the letter I wrote for âkittenâ? I shall no opportunity to see Sigmund in Trinidad last trip, or I must try to contact him this trip; after all there will not be another chance.
Friday 19.
In PORT OF SPAIN. SIGNED ON FOR $20. TRIN. AN SPENT ALL OF IT ON A DELAYED BIRTH-DAY PARTY. Called Sigmund this afternoon and had a chat with him when he came onboard. He seemed to be making out all-right, heâd bought a new car, an Austin 55. Left P.O. of Spain on Sat. morning.
Friday, 26 October.
At sea, bound for Mobile. Nice weather and a cool, nice breeze. We have just passed the Key West, and the wind has freshened up a little. The radio which I bought in Mobile last trip is working satisfying. I have written letters for Mother and Eva, and I do hope thereâs a letter for me in Mobile now. Weâre going to dock this trip and clean the halls, furthermore weâre going to make several repairs.
Sunday, 30 October
On the Mississippi river. Nice, cool weather. Didnât visit the Demchenkoâs in Mobile this trip, instead I went to a joint in Oakdale called âThe Melody Clubâ, nice place, but you had to be a member to enter. Paid the rest on the radio, $40. Got 2 letters from father and one from Bjorn. Sent a letter for Eva and mother in New Orleans.
To be continued ...
