Explore with Engvig how the "Scandinavian Navy" (ships and/or seamen from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) helped the West Coast of the US grow and thrive, especially by providing lumber, through the Industrial Revolution. Envision what it was like to be a sailor on different types of ships in those days.
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Engvig's previous sailing history book was Legends in Sail, a beautifully illustrated book detailing the history of legendary ships whose reputation will live forever. They traveled worldwide, and gained fame for many reasons. Education, expeditions, film and adventure are key words in their saga. These ships set unbeatable records and helped discover the last unmapped areas of the planet. Even to this day they inspire all who seek challenges and new exciting adventures.
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Another recent maritime history book by Engvig is Viking to Victorian: Exploring the Use of Iron in Ship Building, which enlists sailing adventure, personal heritage, and practical skills in an academic examination of iron's impact on maritime history. He uses authentic ships and cultural traditions to forge a new preservation methodology in a vividly illustrated, untraditional maritime reference work.
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In 2018, Olaf was awarded the 9th Karl Kortum Maritime History Award by the group currently known as Friends of Pacific Maritime History. He received this award for his The Ships That Built the West: The Scandinavian Navy, WAPAMA and VÆRDALEN manuscript. The award is named after the legendary Karl Kortum (1917–1996), a founder of the National Maritime Historical Society and the San Francisco Maritime Museum. He, just like Olaf, was instrumental in saving numerous historic vessels. Walter Cronkite, the broadcaster who shared Mr. Kortum's affection for ships, once called Karl Kortum "perhaps America's foremost marine preservationist and historian." Olaf and Karl became close friends when Olaf came to San Francisco in the early 1990s. They often enjoyed sharing their salty sea stories over martini lunches at The Buena Vista, a short walk from the museum.
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Olaf Engvig is a maritime historian, photographer, author of numerous books, and consultant to maritime museums in Norway, Sweden, and other countries. He has been the editor of several magazines in Norway, and a leader and diver in marine archaeological expeditions and excavations. In addition, he was the founder and CEO of a ship wharf specializing in restoration of historic ships, and has been instrumental in restoring many unique old vessels.
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