Ragnhild Bie, Project Manager
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ragnhild Bie for her dedicated commitment to and organisation of The Liberation Convoy 2025. Her passion and tireless efforts have been instrumental in the success of this important initiative, ensuring that the history and sacrifices of Norwegian war sailors remain alive for future generations.
Ragnhild’s work with the convoy is just one aspect of her deep commitment to preserving maritime history, as she is also a historian specialising in war sailor history and a conservator on board SS Hestmanden – The Norwegian War Sailor’s Museum, a part of the Vest-Agder Museum.
With a background in historical research, Ragnhild wrote her master’s thesis on the Norwegian exile school in Scotland during the Second World War. Today, she plays a key role in maintaining and sharing the legacy of Hestmanden, the last remaining Norwegian cargo ship that served abroad during both world wars.
Each summer, Hestmanden embarks on voyages to different ports, powered by its original 1911 steam engine. Ragnhild takes on multiple roles at sea, from steering the ship to working as a steward or mess girl. She proactively helps wherever she is needed. On land, she manages the onboard museum, the museum shop, and organises educational programmes to teach visitors about the vital role of Norwegian war sailors in securing the freedom and democracy we enjoy today.
As project manager of The Liberation Convoy, Ragnhild oversees logistics, administration, and funding. This year’s voyage is particularly significant as it marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The convoy will travel to several historical ports, retracing Hestmanden’s wartime routes and strengthening ties between Norway and the UK.
Ragnhild’s personal connection to war sailor history runs deep. Both her grandfathers were war sailors. Their experiences, one shared and one kept silent, inspired her lifelong commitment to telling their stories. She is driven by a sense of justice, ensuring that the war sailors, who endured great hardships and were unjustly treated after the war, receive the recognition they deserve.
In a time when global conflicts remind us of the fragility of peace, Ragnhild’s work is a vital reminder that we must never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.
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