Ofotens og Vesterålens Dampskibsselskab ASA (Norwegian Shipping Company)

image by Jarig Bakker, 23 January 2006
Source: Brown's Flags and Funnels of Shipping Companies of the World ^[4]

Based in Narvik - a horizontal White-Red-White flag, in center white diamond, blue "O".
Jarig Bakker, 23 January 2006

Formed 1987 by the amalgamation of D/S Vesteraalens and A/S Ofotens D/S and in 1989 absorbed Nord-Ferjer A/S. Brown 1995 ^[4] shows the flag as having narrow white bands top and bottom
Neale Rosanoski, 11 December 2003

Ofotens og Vesterålens Dampskibsselskab ASA (Norwegian Shipping Company). Of the 1st two flags shown under this title, the first by Jorge can be confirmed as an actual flag being flown by ships in photos dated 1995 and 2005. The 2nd version by Jarig from Brown 1995 therefore either predates it or it has been mistakenly recorded being thought to be in line with the funnel markings where the main red band with diamond and "O" is edged top and bottom by narrow white bands. Usually one would expect the funnel design to be the same as the flag but in this case apparently not [unless changed].
Neale Rosanoski, 15 April 2011

Ofotens Dampskipsselskap

Established 24 July 1912 in Narvik.

Description of flag: It is red flag with a white stripe at the top and bottom edge. In the red field is a white lozenge with a black capital “O”.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 January 2009

Ofotens Dampskipsselskap. Although no source is given for this, by the date I suspect that it is also sourced from the Hamburg Exhibition about Hurtigruten which would then give it authenticity although having the "O" black instead of a dark blue is somewhat surprising in getting away from the Norwegian colours. The only portrayal that I can find for the company is from http://www.skipet.no which shows only the one flag for Ofotens D/S A/S 1912-1987 and then Ofotens Vesteraalens D/S A/S 1988-2006 [after which it merged into the new Hurtigruten Group ASA] and that is the 1st version above as shown by Jorge for Ofotens og Vesterålens Dampskisselskab ASA.
Neale Rosanoski, 15 April 2011

Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskap

flag at Hamburg Exhibition about Hurtigruten

image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 January 2009

This was a Norwegian shipping company. As a result of a merger with Ofotens Dampskibsselskap, the company is now a part of OVDS - Ofotens og Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab. These companies are mainly known for their involvement in Hurtigruten, the Costal Express route along the Norwegian coast between Bergen and Kirkenes.
Jan Oskar Engene, 16 October, 2003

Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskab. The main difference in the portrayals by various sources relate to the shade of blue and whether the flag has a white border though there are minor differences as to the width of the white band and whether it is based on the corners or only hoist and fly, border [where shown] size, and size of letters, type and colour, and dots.
As Klaus-Michael depicts an actual flag there is at least something to go for what applied at the end with a sky blue shade. The http://www.skipet.no website shows 5 flags for the company but no dates are given. Whilst they show the band on the funnel as being a light, presumably sky blue, shade, they indicate that 3 of the flags were a darker shade. Whether this is fact or whether they are depending on other sources is the problem as those may not have been aware of the exact shade e.g. the 2nd image by James from Sampson and the versions by Talbot-Booth in 1942-1944 merely show blue although both sources do note "light blue" for liveries when they are aware of it.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)
images by Neale Rosanoski, 15 April 2011

The 5 flags shown by skipet are (1) a darker blue swallowtail with the white letters "VDS", (2) a square darker blue flag with a white border and white diagonal band from upper hoist bearing the red "VDS" , (3) darker blue with a white diagonal band bearing the red "VDS", (4) sky blue with a white border and a white diagonal band bearing sky blue "VDS" with the letters separated by sky blue dots and (5) sky blue with a white border and a white diagonal band bearing the red "VDS".

(1)

(2)
images by Neale Rosanoski, 15 April 2011

The last mentioned is supported by the flag shown in "Norske Rederiflagg" 1952 in the link given on the index page though it has a wider white band.
Other versions include the use of dots after the letters by Talbot-Booth in his "Merchant Ships" 1942 and 1944 (1) and a blue version, no border but a wider white band by Brown 1951 and 1982 and Stewart 1963 (2). Brown 1958 on the other hand shows the same version as Sampson as depicted by James.
Neale Rosanoski, 15 April 2011