POULSBO- An historic piece of Little Norway has found its home in San Francisco, where the C.A. Thayer is being returned to its past glory.

Bill Elliott from the Bay Ship and Yacht Company discovered the C.A. Thayer ornament being sold by the Poulsbo Historical Society through a neighbor, who knew Capt. Ed Shields, who manned the ship during its codfishing days.

The ship was one of three used by the Pacific Coast Codfish Company from 1925 to 1950, with a brief break in service during World War II when it was used by the military.

“We heard about them and decided to order a few,” Elliott said.

That discovery led to the purchase of several ornaments, which were promptly shipped to San Francisco just in time for the holidays.

“We were absolutely thrilled,” said PHS member Gordon Stenman, who serves on the ornament committee.

A friend of the Bay Ship and Yacht Company’s owner, who lives in Seattle, saw the North Kitsap Herald story about this year’s ornament sale and asked if the society had any available, Stenman said.

“I told him we did and we sent them the ornaments,” he said.

Once the ship’s renovations are completed, it will serve as museum at the San Francisco National Maritime Museum on the Hyde Street Pier, which is part of the National Parks Service.

“We’re very excited about having the ornaments on display out of the area,” Stenman said.

The purchase by the Bay Ship and Yacht Company marks the first time in the society’s ornament sale endeavor that a piece has garnered national attention, he said.

Each year, the ornament committee considers a number of possible ideas for the actual ornament and this year, the C.A. Thayer was selected, he said.

“This one struck us all. It was certainly a unanimous decision by the committee,” Stenman said.

For former historical society president Barb Mitchusson said she was thrilled by news of the purchase.

“I think it’s so appropriate,” Mitchusson said. “I think they’re a great collectible.”

As the historic ship is being restored, the ornament will serve as another reminder of its past, she said.