From a Norwegian National Travel Office Press Release 24 April 1956
Norway's North Cape is one of the famous tourist sights in Europe. It is a huge mountain plateau
with steep and forbidding cliffs about 1000 feet high, the northernmost point of Europe. It
lies on a large island, separated from the mainland by a narrow sound.
One of the great events in Norway this summer will be the official opening on 1st July 1956, by Crown
Prince Olav, of the road leading from the World's most northerly village, Honningsvaag, to the North Cape
plateau. A number of prominent persons have been invited to attend this ceremony, including the conquerer
of the German World War II battle cruiser “Scharnhorst”, Lord Frazer of North Cape.
King Alfred Was Impressed
Over a thousand years ago, in 880, an adventurous Viking named Ottar sailed around the North Cape in his
longship. Afterwards he sailed to England, and he told King Alfred the Great (871-901) about the strange
experiences from his journey “beyond the known world.” King Alfred was impressed and ordered
the report to be written down. This historical document is still preserved in the British Museum.
In 1553, a British expedition in search of the North-East passage to China landed at North Cape, and a
member of the party, Stephen Burrows, decided to name it North Cape. This name has stuck ever since. In
Norwegian it is called “Nordkapp.”
It was climbed in 1820 by Sir Arthur de Cappeli Brooke and in 1827 by Robert Everest. In 1955, the North
Cape leapt into fame again, when the author, Richard Pape, became the first man ever to drive a car from
Norway's North Cape to Africa's Cape Town, on the 20,000km (12,450 miles) “Cape to Cape Road.”
In 1873, King Oscar II unveiled the monument which can be seen today on the summit plateau. The King
proved to be an expert climber, but some members of his entourage suffered great physical strain, and one
certain ambassador who was carried bodily down, is alleged to have uttered that although he was willing
to sacrifice his life for his country, he would flatly refuse to revisit North Cape.
However, this Royal visit inaugurated the popular tourist cruises to the “Land of the Midnight Sun.”
Regular cruises have been organised since 1875, and North Cape is today an outstanding tourist attraction
on its own merit.
The Caronia beside the granite edifice that is the North CapeNavBar
Midnight Sun Galore.
The “Midnight Sun” never sinks below the horizon from 14 May to 30 July, and even between April
and August there is never any real darkness at night. North Cape has probably a better record for summer
sunshine than any other tourist spot in the whole world.
A steep zig-zag path leads from the landing stage at Hornvika to the very top of the plateau. There is a
small post office and a souvenir kiosk on the plateau, where visitors can have their letters or postcards
mailed with the beautiful North Cape postage stamps. A modern restaurant is under construction and on 01
July 1956 the 22 mile long road from Honningsvaag will be officially opened.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream and the 24 hour sunshine, the climate at the North Cape is surprisingly mild.
The highest temperature ever registered in Norway, almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit, was recorded not far
from this “arctic” outpost under the nose of the Pole.
Today's Teaser
What does man love ev'n more than life
Hates more than death or mortal strife
That which contented men desire
The poorest have and the rich require
The miser spends and the spendthrift saves
And all men carry to their graves?
Mr. William W. Harris (an American broadcaster & film-maker) will give a running commentary as Caronia
cruises Hammerfest, Bird Rock and the North Cape
3.30pm
Vessel due to leave Hammerfest
5.30pm
Vessel due to pass Bird Rock
8.30pm
Vessel due to approach its anchorage at North Cape
According to the daily programme , Caronia had been due to depart from Gothenburg at 7pm, yet suffered another
late departure, this time of almost 11 hours. However, on this occasion she did arrive at Queensferry on schedule
There's yet another departure later than advertised in the daily programme which also shows the distance to Oban as
595 miles, rather than the actual 484 mile transit. We'll assume a (rare) misprint.
There are no programme images beyond the next due to a clear mix-up of card stock saved for compiling into
the cruise folders. The programme for 31 July is missing and departure from Oban was printed in error as
being 7pm on 30th. It's probable that cards were reprinted due to an itinerary change
1956 North Cape
