About

Lake Storsjøen in Rendalen is long, deep, and known for its strong currents – making timber transport a major challenge in the early 1900s. In 1911, Christiania Tømmerdirektion ordered a steam-powered tugboat to tow logs across the lake. The boat was built by Glommens Mekaniske Verksted, transported by rail to Koppang, then hauled by horse and sled to the lake, where it was assembled and launched in spring 1912.

 

For over 70 years – until 1984 – the vessel was in summer service, towing nearly 7 million cubic meters of timber. In the 1950s, it was converted to diesel and renamed M/S Storsjø. After a period at Lake Mjøsa, the boat was repurchased by Rendalen municipality in 2013. It is now owned and operated by Venneforeningen M/S Storsjø, a volunteer association established in 2014.

 

Today, the boat is moored in Dampbåtvika, on the eastern shore of Storsjøen just south of Åkrestrømmen. Guided boat trips are arranged several times each summer, offering scenic views and rich storytelling about Rendalen’s timber history – a core part of the community’s cultural heritage.

 

Trip announcements and updates are published on the Facebook page Venneforeningen M/S Storsjø . To support the boat’s preservation, you can become a member via VIPPS 531419:

– Adults NOK 300

– Students, youth and seniors NOK 150

– Companies, teams and associations (min.) NOK 500