The Gardar BA 64 is Iceland’s oldest steel ship
The Gardar BA 64 is Iceland’s oldest steel ship, a former whaling and fishing vessel, now lying on the Patreksfjordur fjord shoreline in the Westfjords.
The Gardar BA 64 was completed in a Norwegian shipyard in 1912 and first served as a whaling ship in Norway. It was then known as the Globe IV, trading hands through several countries over the years. In 1950 the ship reached Iceland, and in 1963 it was renamed Gardar BA 64.
The ship's engineering design reflected the environments in which it operated. A reinforced hull meant the Gardar BA 64 could forge ahead through icy seas, and its strong engine kept it sailing through still waters.
When whaling restrictions increased, the Gardar BA 64 became a herring fishing boat. After a long and respected career, the ship retired in 1981 due to mounting safety concerns.
Now it sits rusting on a remote slice of the Icelandic coastline, ready to offer guests a taste of the country’s history and some excellent photo opportunities.
For safety reasons, it’s crucial to adhere to warnings not to enter the ship. Since its abandonment, there structural integrity of the ship has been compromised.
