"Alta" - The old mine sweeper Photo

Photographer’s Note

The coastal culture and the preservation of civilian boats is undoubtedly closely connected. However, why shouldn't we also preserve a coastal mine sweeper as a living coastal cultural monument, particularly when she is built of wood.

M 314 Alta belonged to the Sauda-class, which comprised ten vessels; nine minesweepers and one mine hunter. More than 8,000 Norwegians served on board the 10 vessels during the over 40 years they were in commission - from 1953 till 1996.

HNMS Alta was built in Maine, US, launched 31 January 1953 and commissioned for duty with the US Navy. In 1954 she was transferred to the Belgian Navy and was taken over by the Royal Norwegian Navy on 23 May, 1966.

Norway - the coastal state
The Norwegian naval resurces are used on a daily basis to safeguard the nation's coastline and ocean areas - and all those who travel and work there.

Technical Data - M 314 Alta
Design: Sparkman & Stevens Inc. New York N.Y.
Builders: Hodgeson Bros, Gowdy & Stevens East Boothbay, Maine, USA
Launched: 31 January 1953
Service: 1953-1954: The US Navy
1954-1966: The Belgian Navy
1966-1996: The Norwegian Navy
Deplacement: 333 tons - 384 tons fully loaded
Dimensions: 144 x 28 x 8,5 fot
44 x 8,5 x 2,6 meter
Armament: 2 x 20 mm Oerlikon machine canon
Engines: 2 General Motors Diesel engines, with a total of 880 BHP
Speed: 13,5 knots
Crew (Sauda-klassen): 2 - 3 officers, 4 - 6 non-commissioned officers, 30 conscripted sailors
Weaponry: Magnetic sweep
Acoustic sweep
Combined magnetic and acoustic sweep
Mechanical sweep

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Critiques | Translate

avigur_11 (21271) 2004-01-25 6:27

She is in a very good condition for her age and for her rich history. Your point of view makes her very elegant.
There are two questions:
1. Since Norway has no enemies, and since the last war ended 60 years ago, is there any chance to meet mines near your coast?
2. The pic posted today by Ebbe shows frozen water in the harbor of Stockholm. Is the harbor in Oslo frozen too? It doesn't look so, from what I can see, though I guess it should be.

[2]

orme (6741) 2004-01-25 7:16

A lovely shot, Jack. I like the way the mine sweeper fills the frame. She looks very majestic with her bow raising up. The touches of red, orange and green just finish off the shot perfectly. Well captured. You have a very fascinating harbour there in Olso.

PLD_images (7141) 2004-01-25 7:24

This is what I call a complet text to go with a photo. The shot is very good and I like the close angle that you used. I would have been tempted to leave the orange pole where the cables attached in the shot. But with ship of this size, maybe that was impossible. Nicely done Jack.

nwoehnl (118) 2004-01-25 9:28

A very interesting series with ships that you have currently going, Jack. The angle here is just perfect, we can see the whole minesweeper in the frame, and the point of view is appropriately awe-inspring. Excellent amout of details, and I like how the colorful elements brighten the whole thing up a little. Your note, combined with the discussion thread with Yitzhak, makes indeed for a formidable learning experience.

manny (21378) 2004-01-25 9:30

Smart composition and post-processing (?). I like the way the mine-sweeper sweeps your frame. And the colors are interesting.

clodreno (0) 2004-01-25 11:31

Very nice image Jack. Just one thing, does your job has to do with Boats?
Very well composed. the colors are nice and sharp. Well done.

pamastro (7213) 2004-01-25 14:18

Your picture really gives that feeling of oldness. You can see all the planks of wood and the wharf is partially snow covered and what is seen is desolate looking. A forgotten corner where the forgotten mine sweeper is. These ships are so important yet forgotten. I got a tour of one and the new ones are filled with so much hi-tech gadgetry but still ignored. Now that I'm went back up to look at it again. Maybe black and white would add even more lonliness to the image as the colors of the ropes enliven it a bit. Just a thought on a good, moody, picture.

Georges (11183) 2004-01-25 16:33

L'image donne une belle perspective de longueur et ces cordes nous invites à monter a bord.
La dominante de gris montre bien l'ambiance maritime. Et pour moi cette bouée se trouve sur la place maîtresse elle ramène toujours mon regard sur elle.
Bravo Jack

dsidwell (9745) 2004-01-26 1:05

Very exciting point of view here, Jack. I love the B/W tones. Lighting gives shape to the ship without being harsh.