About Stavenes
Stavenes — from war history to cabin rental.
Stavenes lies at the outer edge of Stongfjorden, facing the open sea and the coastal shipping lane. For the last hundred years the place has witnessed both dramatic events and great change.
Chapter 01 · The coast
A place with history.
The shipwreck of DS Haakon VII and the wartime events at Stavenes are described below.
In 1929 the Hurtigruten ship DS Haakon VII ran aground at Melsholmen off Stavenes. The ship quickly took a heavy list, and 18 people lost their lives in the accident.
During the Second World War the remote location took on a special significance. From Stavenes one could observe German shipping traffic along the coast, and Allied radio telegraphists operated in the area to send information to Britain. Members of the Saltskår family helped the telegraphists with shelter, food and hiding places — at great risk to their own lives. Among them were Oddny, Petrine and Harald Saltskår. Oddny and her fiancé Anton Hollevik were later arrested and tortured by the Gestapo, while Chester Saltskår had to flee to England with his family.
The war also came very close to the houses at Stavenes. On 23 June 1943 a Norwegian Mosquito aircraft was shot down during an attack on a German convoy. The plane crashed on the shore right by Chester Saltskår’s house, and the two Norwegian pilots were killed. The following year another convoy was attacked off Stavenes. DS Lynx was hit and beached, and two British pilots lost their lives. The memorial plaques still standing at Stavenes tell the story of the people who gave their lives in the fight for freedom.
After the war, everyday life returned to the farm and the sea. Several generations of the family have since cared for the buildings and the surrounding land.
Today the family rents out cabins and apartments in the old sea house at Stavenes.
The memorials at Stavenes tell visitors about the wartime events and the people involved.
A short timeline
Stavenes through the last century.
DS Haakon VII
The Hurtigruten ship runs aground at Melsholmen off Stavenes. 18 people lose their lives.
Second World War
Allied radio telegraphists operate in the area. The Saltskår family provides shelter and help at great risk.
Mosquito shot down
A Norwegian aircraft crashes on the shore by Chester Saltskår’s house. Both pilots are killed.
DS Lynx attacked
A German convoy is attacked off Stavenes. DS Lynx is hit and beached; two British pilots die.
Quieter times
Life returns to the family, the farm and the sea. The buildings and landscape are cared for through generations.
Cabin rental
The family rents out cabins and apartments in the old sea house.
View over Stavenes, the fjord and the mountains
The Saltskår family has owned the area for around a hundred years.