In 2026,
Tallship Company stands on the threshold of a remarkable jubilee year. It will then be exactly
100 years since our ship Artemis was built in Larvik, Norway. In 1926 she left the shipyard at the request of the company
Melsom & Melsom and was given the name
Pol II. As one of four whalers supporting the company’s mothership, she sailed into the rough waters of the polar seas.
The history of Artemis reads like a fascinating maritime tale. During the Second World War, Pol II was requisitioned by the
Royal Navy and received the designation
FY 701. In this period, the ship served as a minesweeper. After the war, her purpose changed once again: she was converted into a
freighter and for some time sailed under the Swedish flag under the name
Lister. Eventually she found her way via Denmark to the Netherlands, where the Bruinsma brothers, with love, craftsmanship, and vision, transformed her into the magnificent
three-masted bark that she is today:
Tallship Artemis.
In 2026, Tallship Company will celebrate three special anniversaries:
- 100 years ago Artemis was built in Larvik, as the proud Norwegian whaler Pol II
- 25 years ago she was transformed into a Class A Tallship – a vessel that continues to impress with her sailing qualities, appearance, and comfort
- 35 years ago our shipping company was founded – the beating heart behind countless adventures and memories at sea
In the year ahead, we will take you on a journey through this rich history. On our website, we will regularly share news, stories, and anecdotes about Artemis’ remarkable voyage through the past century.
From Norwegian whaler to minesweeper, from freighter Lister to beloved Tallship – always a ship with character.
