SOURCE: "Before the Mast of a North Sea Fisherman," in The New York Times Book Review, April 29, 1923, p. 7.

In the following essay, Moritzen comments on Bojer's realistic portrayal of Norwegian seafaring life in The Last of the Vikings.

The courage that possessed the men that went down to the sea in ships centuries ago and cut the first path across the Atlantic Ocean became the heritage of those dauntless fishermen of Norway who made the Lofoten Islands their cherished goal before steam, electricity and other motor power put sailing craft in the discard. In open boats, scarcely different in construction from those used by their Viking ancestors, Norwegian fishermen of less than a generation ago would sail the long distance north in search of the shining cod, while in constant battle with the elements. It was a struggle with wind and weather, and danger lurking in every wave...