Roald enrols at Bishop Feild College

When the coal cargo had been loaded, the Oddvar II sailed Northward from Newport News destined for Newfoundland. At that time the situation in Europe at the beginning of 1942 had become desperate. The Nazis had overrun Finland and the Russians were massing on its borders.
Before landing at the wharf in Botwood to discharge their cargo of coal The Oddvar II had received other orders to steam to The U.S. Marine at Argentia and to await further instructions. Unknown to Roald and his family, Britain had just declared war on Finland and The Oddvar II was summarily confiscated by Newfoundland authorities. All passengers and crew were taken ashore and transported to St. John's. The Ekholm family which included the ship's master, his wife, daughter and Roald were installed in The Balsam Hotel for the next three and one half years. This is a direct quote from Roald's letter: "And the Master's son attended Bishop Feild College and became a Feildian from 1943-1945 and he liked it!!"