The Wilh. Wilhelmsen group’s first steamship was named Talabot. Purchased second hand in 1887 she recorded early profits that exceeded all expectations. The result and forecast were so good that nearly every subsequent vessel acquisition has been given a name beginning with the letter “T”.

The T tradition has become synonymous with the Wilh. Wilhelmsen group's nomenclature. Talabot was not only a success within Wilh. Wilhelmsen; she has been long recognised as one of the pioneer vessels in the transition from sail to steam in Norwegian shipping history.