PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Odland family from Bergen, Norway, were on a journey of discovery in Plettenberg Bay on Tuesday 19 November, to retrace the steps of their ancestors who were involved in the Norwegian whaling station until 1916.

The group was led by Carol Odland - now Schonveld - and made a brief stop under the Odland Street sign, named after Captain Jacob Odland, who managed the Harald Haarfagre Company of Norway in Plett.

Operations ceased in 1916

In 1831, John Sinclair began a whaling business in Plettenberg Bay. At the beginning of the 20th century it was owned by Percy Toplis but was bought in 1913 by the Norwegians. Whaling operations ceased in 1916, due to the impact of World War 1.

For Odd Harold Odland, his wife Tove Rullestad, daughter Amalie Rullestad and son-in-law Håkon Leth, it was their first time in South Africa.

Odland's grandfather Sivert Michael Odland (1882-1996) was a sea captain working at the whaling station, at the same time as his brother Jacob Odland.

'Proud of the connection'

His father Odd Michael Odland (1934-2020), the son of Sivert Michael Odland, visited Plettenberg Bay repeatedly from 2008 to 2016.

The Van Plettenberg Historial Society plaque commemorating the Norwegian whaling station in the gardens of the Beacon Island Hotel, the original site of the whaling station.

"He was very interested and proud of the connection between Norway and South Africa in this historical context," said Odd Harold Odland.

The Odland family also attended the unveiling of a historical plaque by the Van Plettenberg Historical Society at the Beacon Isle Hotel, the original site of the whaling station in Plett.

"It is our bonding with history and rekindling our family links with the whaling station," said Odd Harold Odland.

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