THE BERTH

Archer`s first boats.

Colin Archer became seriously engaged in sailing and boat construction when he returned home in 1861 after ten years in America and Australia. He built his first boats in a shed at the laguna Krabbedammen, south of the main house at Tollerodden.

A 26-foot sailing boat, named Maggie and based on his constructions, was launched in 1867. This boat had impressive sailing capacities. When Archer the next year put his boats up for sale, customer demand increased, and thereby also the need for more building space.

THE SHIPYARD AND THE BERTH ARE ESTABLISHED.

In 1869, The Customs and Excise Department commissioned a new cravel built and gaff-rigged cutter from Mr. Archer. To be able to deliver this commission, the area towards town was selected as shipyard. Hence began a 40 year long and a rich period of maritime history at Tollerodden.

At the berth, where you are now, two vessels could be built simulateneously, with the keels placed in two different slipways. The slipways are sloping towards the sea, and they had woodwork at the base, so that the vessels could glide in a suitable speed during launching.

In 1872 a shed was erected over one slipway, and shortly afterwards also over the other slipway. This made effective work possible round the year.

THE SHIPYARD ERA AT TOLLERODDEN.

By moving the shipbuilding closer to Skottebrygga, a larger shipyard could be established. Just behind the berths was an older house, now furnished as a rigging loft. Later this house was used as living quarters, but demolished in 1970, when this area was converted to a park.

Colin Archer was much concerned about details and quality. He often accompanied local forest owners to select appropriate wood materials for his boats. Oak was used for keel and staff, while juniper was used for wooden nails. In all, this area, now a park, was one of the most important    workshops in town.

The shipyard, from Skottebrygga towards the Tollerodden mansion, was an important part of the maritime area. For many years schooners, particularly from Holland, had anchored there to load   timber and wood for housing and dikes in their home country. This activity was probably an inspiration for young Colin, and possibly was also the inspiration for shipbuilding lain already in his youth.

Work at the shipyard ended in 1909. For several years, Mr. Archer had talked about stepping down, but new commissions kept coming, so he continued.  He wanted his assistant for 15 years, Axel Harman, to carry on, but when Axel Harman died suddenly, Mr. Archer, at the age of 77 himself, chose to terminate the yard.

TIME AFTER ARCHER

After the shipbuilding ended, there were various businesses at the yard area. Small boats were repaired and kept for winter storage, but   the area fell into decay. One of the sheds was demolished before World War 2, the other around 1950. Later some material fillings in the sea around the berths have degraded the historic area, and it was also not being maintained. The fillings went some places 6 meters out into the fjord.

THE BERTHS ARE RESTORED

In 2021 The Tollerodden Foundation initiated restoration of the old berths.  A condition registration and plan for reversals were made, and the Foundation applied for funding to implement their plans This work was finished by spring 2024, and the berths are now to be seen as historic monuments, depicting the period when   maritime life in Larvik was at its strongest.

The historic- maritime axis here at Tollerodden – from Skottebrygga, via Larvik Sjøfartsmuseum, the Archer Berths, the Sverdrup wharf and the mansion Tollerodden from 1660 – shows an important part of our history.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Just here, the Tollerodden Foundation is planning to establish a Colin Archer Centre.  The present boat shelter now serves to keep the rescue vessel RS Stavanger in order. But the goal is to develop an attraction – a visualization of how important Colin Archer and his maritime work was, both locally, nationally and international.