Welcome to my web site dedicated to JBoats and to the Norwegian-Americans who sailed on many of them.
This is a noncommercial personal site intended for information and education and genealogical research with a focus on the JBoat seamen from Norway.
The America's Cup Races in the 1930's were dominated by American boats owned by George (Mike) Vanderbilt and manned by a significant number of Norwegian-Americans, many from the small island of Tysness just south of Bergen in the mouth of the Hardangerfjorden. It is surprising that such a small population of a small island in a small country could have played such a major role in the America's Cup Competitions.
These pages are dedicated to my Uncle Gunnar Farevaag who I believe may be the sole-surviving crew member of the Rainbow, winner of the Cup in 1934 and a major trial competitor in 1937. He still enjoys good health, has a keen sense of humor and a crisp memory of the JBoat races, the people involved and both their given names and their taken names. These pages reference many other sites so that visitors can also journey through the fascinating history of these majestic boats and great offshore races. A more complete and comprehensive story may be found in the (Links to JBoat sites) at the end of this page and in the major museums that feature JBoats.
I have included some rough comparisons between the magnitude of these JBoats to things we see today. However, to really appreciate how big these boats were one must go aboard and walk around the "Shamrock V" in Newport RI.
I would appreciate feedback about these www pages and particularly input for additions or changes I might make. Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone having knowledge of other surviving JBoat seamen.
Regards Lars Hagen Note: Both my Mother and Father were born on Tysness Island.
My Uncle Gunnar
CLICK ON THE LINKS AND BROWSE THROUGH
(Use your browser BACK button to return here)
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Norwegian crew members
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Maps of Southwest Norway
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Turn down the bed and leave a mint!
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Under the Brooklyn Bridge (NOT)
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Two tractor-trailer lengths
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Cover a building lot
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About 70 cars worth
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Critical metal for WW II
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What centerboards?
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Scandinavian crew recognition
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Norwegian crew members
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Norwegian crew members
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BOOKS, PAPERS, VIDEO
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Yachting in the 30's
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Book, Mystic, Conn.
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Book
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Book
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Major article about Yankee
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Book
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Article on 1934 & 1937 Races
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Book
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Dennis Conners & Michael Levitt
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Highways in the Wind ,
H. Vanderbilt
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Out of print, collectable, expensive
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ARTISTS
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Artist
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Artist
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MUSEUMS
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Museum Yachting, Newport, RI
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Seaport & Museum
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ADVERTISEMENTS
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Ad
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Ad
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Some great reading & viewing
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I hope you enjoyed your visit, gained an appreciation for the majestic JBoats and gained an insight into the contributions of the crew members from Norway and particularly those from the small and beautiful island of Tysness. If you have seen TV programs on the construction of the north sea oil platforms (Troll) then you probably saw part of Tysness in the background in the scenes showing the towing of the completed platforms out of the Hardangerfjorden and into the north sea. If you visit one of the museums featuring JBoats or if you buy one of the books or prints featuring JBoats then this effort was a worthwhile! If you go to Newport, RI and personally experience the JBoat Shamrock V -- then this effort was a success! If you recognize or identify these or other Norwegian-American seamen associated with these JBoats then this effort was a major accomplishment!
