Becky Horne informs Web Site readers of ...

'LYNGENFJORD' a ship which ran aground.

A Norwegian ship 'Lyngenfjord' ran aground off the coast of Cape St Francis 67 years ago - on January 14, 1938, at a place known as Huisklip.

Attie VAN WYK is in possession of the ship's original wheel. A piece of memorabilia which is one of only two parts of the ship salvaged when it sank. The only other item recovered was a piece of the ship's rudder. The wheel is just over two metres in diameter and is made of Burmese teak. What makes it even more valuable is that it still has the original copper dome which fits in the middle.

Although the wheel has been in Attie VAN WYK's family since 1967, it was not until recently that he was able to confirm the name of the ship. Thanks to Weekend Post's sister publication, The Herald.

On January 15, 1938, the sinking of the 'Lyngenfjord' was front page news in The Herald. VAN WYK managed to get copies of this story and together with information he gathered from the South African Navy in Simonstown he was able to conclude that the wheel definitely belonged to the 'Lyngenfjord'.

The last time he had the wheel valued was in 1995 when the Greenwich Maritime Museum told him it was worth £50 000 (R595 000). He inherited the wheel from his father.

If the wheel is sold, VAN WYK hopes to have a handing-over ceremony at Huisklip. VAN WYK hopes that certain dignitaries will also be able to make the trip. "At the site we would like to have members of the RADEMEYER family who were there and helped to rescue the survivors. Also, we want to ask a member of the Norwegian government."

VAN WYK is also hoping that relatives of the only woman who was aboard the ship when it ran aground will also be able to attend.

Extracted from: Weekend Post, 9 April 2005 - by Francois Rank