The
ship "Sjofna" was built 1831 in Sunderland, England. Burden was 222 Norwegian
Commercial lasts, or 648 tons gross. Owner in 1856 was N.A. Andersen & Co in Christiania. In 1858 she was owned and mastered by P.M. Petersen in Porsgrunn. P. M. Petersen started a shipping company in 1855, the business was mainly based on the transport of emigrants from Norway to America. This ship is sometimes mixed up with another ship by the sam name, which also sailed with emigrants. The other
Sjofna was mastered by Capt. Buckholtz. Petersen usually had his ships refitted to take emigrants while in port at Porsgrunn during the winter. The hold would be equipped with a
between-deck, where temporary berths were set up. The ships would leave early in spring for America with emigrants. As soon as the passengers left the ship, the extra fitting, and the between-deck would be taken away, and timber taken on board. Agent was J. Ericksen in Skien, in newspaper announcements Ericksen states that this copper hooded ship has an "unusually" high, light, airy and spacious between-deck. The ship was also equipped with cabins for cabin passengers.
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Newspaper announcement from
"Correspondenten" Skien Mar. 4th, 1857; Passenger accommodation with the ship Sjofna, Captain Petersen, which will depart on April 20th from Porsgrunn for Quebec with emigrants, there are still some places available. Those who would like to take advantage of this possibility must address the undersigned as soon as possible, in writing or in person. Skien Feb. 28 - 1857, J. Eriksen The departure was announced to be Apr. 20th, but when Sjofna arrived in Quebec on June 2nd, the crossing was given to have lasted for 5 weeks and 5 days, the departure was delayed for some days. Master in 1857 was P.M. Petersen. Because the National Archives of Canada [NAC] did not start the archiving of passenger lists before 1865, and the Norwegian emigration records did not start before 1867, there is no surviving passenger list for this voyage in any of those archives. Timeline to records. |
The 1858 departure was announced to be April 20th, but she departed a few days later. On June 15th she arrived at Quebec. Master was Capt. P. M. Petersen. There is no surviving passenger list for this voyage, see above. From a letter signed by some of the passengers we know the names of some of the passengers.
Letter from the passenger on the Sjofna in 1858, dated Quebec June 15.
After having ended our journey from Porsgrunn to Quebec, we can not leave the ship "Sjofna" without praising Capt. P. M. Petersen for his care and kindness to us during the passage. Next after God we can thank Capt. Petersen's zeal and skillfulness for having arrived here healthy and safe. We recommend captain Petersen to those who are going to emigrate. We praise the cleanliness and order which was conducted on the ship, and wish Capt. Petersen fortune and a happy journey, to him devoted:
Hans T. Svendserud, Ole Haugen, Sebjørn T. Granflata, Gunder Gundersen,
Torsten Olsen, all from Nummedal; Lars Nilsen Fossum, Erik Carlsen from
Skien, Knud Carlsen, Knud Larsen Skauen from Gjerpen; Niri Svenungsen
Strand, Ole Pedersen Soli, Harald F. Underlona, Anne B. Moen, Gunvor
Johnsdatter Øia, Hans Thorsen, Hans Hansen Haugen, all from Hitterdal;
Ole M. Bæver, Carl Jensen, both from Kongsberg; Nils Olsen from Laurdal,
Torkild Olsen Lundervollen from Rauland; Ole Kittilsen Liestul, John
Osvaldsen Berkhuus, Bjørn Halvorsen Brauten, Gunder Aslaksen Ødegaarden,
Svend Aslaksen Ødegaarden, Bjørguf Aslaksen Teigen, all from Vinje; John
Svendsen Vaagen from Tind, Ole Olsen Selsland from Siljord.
In 1861 she left from Kragerø/Porsgrunn on April 22nd in ballast, and was carrying 302 steerage passengers. 9 people died during the voyage. The Sjofna arrived at the quarantine station on June 22nd, and was detained 2 days in quarantine at Grosse Île, before proceeding to Quebec. Also this year she was mastered by Captain Petersen and had a crew of 19. There is no surviving passenger list for this voyage, see above.
