Gamle Hellesund

Gamle Hellesund is an outport in Høvåg in the municipality of Lillesand in Aust-Agder, Norway. It is located about halfway between Ulvøysund in southwest and Ågerøya in the Northeast. It is is located on the island of Helløya.

Both Sverris saga and the Bagler sagas mentions the port of Helgasund respectively in 1197 and 1207, but it is not known whether it concerns Gamle Hellesund or Ny-Hellesund in Søgne. Dutch books for maritime pilots and nautical charts from the 16th century mentions Olde Hil Sont and Gammel Hil Sont, indicating that the outport was known for foreign sailors already then.

Gamle Hellesund had its point of highest activity in the 19th century during the so-called era of sailing ships. There was a lot of maritime traffic along the coast, and ships from many countries visited the outports. Southern Norway then had a very active period, with diverse shipyards and shipping companies. Because of all the activity, Gamle Hellesund had a pilot station and a customs station. Today Gamle Hellesund stays empty most of the year and is largely used in summer by tourists.

References

• Wikander, Johan A.(1989): "Gamle havner ved Grimstad", Selskapet for Grimstad Bys Vel
• Gundersen, Dag (overs.)(1979): "Norges kongesagaer, bind III", Gyldendal Norsk Forlag