SS HENRY BACON MEMORIAL LECTURE 23RD FEBRUARY, 2003

ELLY TAYLOR'S NEW FILM TAKES HER TO A SNOW BOUND WASHINGTON DC

The invitation to Washington came like a bolt out of the blue and with not much notice. I was busily putting the finishing touches to my film, dashing between on-line and dubbing when I got a call from Ole asking about my latest film project "Through Hell and High Water" and if I would come out with a trail to screen at the event. Apparently the Norwegian grapevine had been in operation, as he had heard about the film through contacts on the Island of Sørøya in the North of Norway where I had been filming last year. For a fleeting moment, I hesitated, as I was on a tight schedule, but it was only fleeting, as it seemed such an important and meaningful occasion for those involved. It also afforded me the special opportunity to meet again several of the survivors who had honoured me by contributing to my film - Spud Campbell, Chuck Reed (crew survivors from the Bacon) and Monrad Pedersen (Norwegian survivor and a child at the time).
(Cont. on next page).