Royal yacht “Norge” at Helsinki, 4th August 2013
Owner: The King of Norway (manned by Royal Norwegian Navy)
Builder: Camper & Nicholsons Ltd., Gosport, UK
1,686 Thames yacht measurement tonnage
Length overall: 80.16 m
Max. draft: 4.62 m
Engines: 2 x diesels, 3,000 b.h.p.; twin-screw
Speed: 17 knots
Completed 1937 as “Philante” for T.O.M. Sopwith as an escort vessel for his sailing yachts “Endeavour I” & “Endeavour II”
Taken over by the Royal Navy in September 1939 as HMS “Philante” & served as an anti-submarine escort throughout WW2.
Bought by the people of Norway in July 1947. Refitted at her builder's yard & presented to then King Haakon in 1948.
On the death of King Haakon on 21 September 1957 she passed into the ownership of his successor, King Olav
Original engines replaced bt Bergen diesels in 1982
Severely damaged by fire in 1985 while under repair at the Norwegian Navy shipyard in Horten. Rebuilt & returned to service in 1986.
On the death of King Olav on 17 January 1991 she passed into the ownership of his successor, King Harald