SS Bjoren
| History | |
|---|---|
| Norway | |
| Name | SS Bjoren |
| Owner | Bygland municipality |
| Operator | Bjoren AS |
| Route | Bygland-Byglandsfjord – Bygland – Bygland-Ose; Kilefjorden (Evje to Hægeland) (1866-1896) |
| Builder | Akers Mekaniske Verksted |
| Yard number | 35 |
| Laid down | 1866 |
| Maiden voyage | 8 June 1867 |
| In service | 1867-1957, since 1994 |
| Out of service | 1957-1994 |
| Refit | 1897; 1914; 1970s until 1994 (Drammen Skibsreparasjoner A/S) |
| Homeport | Byglandsfjord |
| Honours & awards | Olavsrose June 25, 2013 |
| Status | active |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 26 long tons, 29 short tons |
| Length | 20,8 m (since 1914); 17,8 m (1897-1914); 16 m |
| Decks | 1 |
| Installed power | 42 bhp (since 1914); 14 bhp |
| Propulsion | 1 steam engine, 1 wood-fired boiler, 1 propeller |
| Capacity | 55 people (since 1994), 92 people |
SS Bjoren is a wood-fuelled steamboat that travels the route between Bygland-Byglandsfjord, Bygland and Bygland-Ose on the lake Byglandsfjorden in the municipality of Bygland in the Setesdal valley. She runs on Sundays in July.
Using wood as fuel is a natural choice as there was, and still is, good local access to it. Using wood to fuel the steam engine contributes to make Bjoren a unique part of Norway's cultural heritage and a floating technical museum.