Keywords: Ferry at Helgeraae (JW Edy plate 40).jpg Artwork Creator John William Edy en Ferry at Helgeraae No XL HELGERAAC This place derives its popularity from the convenience of its ferry boats being always in readiness for conveying passengers and goods across the bay and Skeen Fiord to Brevig Longsound Fredericksvaem and the places adjacent The fare to Brevig is three shillings each person the boats mostly in use are large peter boats of twelve or fourteen tons burthen with a sprit sail governed by two men and a boy Although this bay is very spacious it is seldom visited by ships notwithstanding its immediate access to the Skager Rack as seen in the distance of the picture Here are many sandy beaches a rarity in Norway projecting into the bay from the main land and the islands denoting shallow water and unsafe anchorage On a fine summer evening it is pleasant to observe hundreds of seals amusing themselves in the water on the sands or upon the rocks where they have all the appearance of large birds ; if the beholder approach within a hundred yards of them they plunge into the water and disappear in company with those which swim with their heads above the surface In consequence of the shallow water and the occasional surf two landing places or bridges have been constructed of piers or wooden cases filled with stones having leading planks laid on their tops sufficiently broad to admit carriages over them to the boats ; on one of them is a warehouse The large house on the shore is an inn where various refreshments may be had; before the door appear the remains of an ancient cross ; the high road leads to Laurvig; the distant hills which overlook it divide part of the bay of Laurvig from this bay ; the more distant hills on the right separate the Skeen Fiord forming two sides of this harbour to its opening towards Brevig; its waters are salt and so clear in calm weather as to render it difficult at a small distance from the shore to distinguish the rock from its reflected image This is a place of much resort for the sea and coast fowls In the small inlets are the echinus starfish and small crabs ; the bay affords the lamprey salmon flounders cuttlefish sawfish anchovy; muscles cockles and sometimes the golden shark The village consists of about forty houses inhabited by fishermen and ferrymen; it has no trade and contains no artizan except the boatbuilder It is situated in a very agreeable and pleasant part of Norway embosomed in gentle hills which are decorated by groves and patches of cultivated lands This view was taken a little way up one of the small hills north of the village in a path leading to the forest and some lakes from which the huntsman with his game is supposed to be returning while the milk-maid is going home from her cows in the valley Collapse bottom http //urn nb no/URN NBN no-nb_digibok_2011072910001 Boydell's picturesque scenery of Norway London 1820 Plate no 40 p 229 in scanned copy no-nb_digibok_2011072910001 PD-Art-100 John William Edy Boydell's picturesque scenery of Norway Geography of Telemark Brevik Geography of Vestfold Historical images of Skien Milkmaids in art Hunting in Norway Telemark in art Culture of Porsgrunn municipality |