A Documentary on Canadian Second World War Trailblazer Fern Blodgett Sunde
Sparks at Sea
Graham Beer Media is proud to announce Sparks at Sea, a new documentary in production about the extraordinary life and enduring connections of Second World War trailblazer Fern Blodgett Sunde, Canada’s first woman to serve as a wireless radio operator at sea.
Growing up in Cobourg, Ontario, Fern dreamed of becoming a sailor. Determined to serve at the onset of the Battle of the Atlantic, she became the first Canadian woman to earn a Second-Class Wireless Operator’s certificate. Despite her qualifications, Canadian and British ships prohibited women from serving at sea.
As luck would have it, a Norwegian merchant ship in Montreal urgently needed a radio operator. With no such restrictions aboard Norwegian vessels, Fern joined the crew of the M/S Mosdale. Amid the dangers of war, Fern found unexpected love and married the ship’s captain, Gerner Sunde.
She completed 78 Atlantic crossings, transmitting and receiving vital Morse code messages under the constant threat of German U-boats. Her courage broke barriers for women and inspired a sisterhood of radio operators to join the war effort.
Sparks at Sea tells Fern’s story and follows how, decades later, two communities on opposite sides of the Atlantic have come together to preserve her legacy. Twin statues of Fern, sculpted by Tyler Fauvelle, now stand in her hometown of Cobourg, Canada, and in Farsund, Norway, Gerner’s hometown, where the couple settled after the war.
The film is produced and directed by Graham Beer, a Canadian producer dedicated to preserving the stories of veterans. Beer began documenting Fern’s story in 2020 and has since filmed interviews and commemorations in both Canada and Norway.
“Fern Blodgett Sunde is a Canadian hero whose story speaks powerfully to our time,” said Graham Beer, President and Executive Producer of Graham Beer Media. “In moments of global uncertainty, Fern reminds us that our allies make us stronger.”
With the support of Fern’s family, the statue committees in Cobourg and Farsund, and storytellers in both countries, Sparks at Sea will bring her remarkable journey to the screen.
“It’s really admirable what my mother could achieve by virtue of courage, patience and endurance,” said Fern Sunde Sletten, daughter of Fern Blodgett Sunde. “Her unwavering belief in peace and democracy guided her throughout life. I hope my mother’s story will inspire future generations to carry those values forward.”
Production is underway and will continue through 2027 across North America and Europe. Sparks at Sea will be made possible through the support of sponsors and donors, with a fundraising campaign launching soon to bring Fern’s story to audiences around the world.
Follow the production of Sparks at Sea on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube at @sparksatseadoc.