Dana (1937)

As Gulden Leeuw at Falmouth
History
Denmark
NameDana (III)
OwnerMinistry of Agriculture and Fishing
Port of registryCopenhagen
BuilderFrederikshavn Shipyard, Frederikshavn, Denmark
Cost952,500 DKK[1]
Yard number207
Laid down6 October 1936
Launched1 September 1937
Completed21 December 1937
In service1938
Identification
Denmark
NameDana Researcher
OwnerSvend E. Sønderstrup
Port of registryFåborg
Acquired1980
Identification
Denmark
NameEsvagt Dana
OwnerEsvagt
Port of registryEsbjerg
Acquired1984
Identification
Denmark
NameDana Nyborg
OwnerThomas Brocklebank, Grindsted
Port of registryEsbjerg
Acquired2001
Identification
Netherlands
NameGulden Leeuw
OwnerP&T Charters
Acquired2007
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Tonnage354 GRT / 163 NRT
Length150.6 feet (1939)
Beam28 feet
Draught16,4 feet
Decks1
Propulsion1100 hp 6-cyl. 4SA Frichs Diesel. Replaced in 1970 with 1200 hp 10-cyl. 4SA B&W Alpha-Diesel
NotesExtended by 8 m in 1939. Rigged as 3-masted schooner in 2007

Dana was the primary Danish research vessel for almost 40 years. It was built in 1937 and served research purposes until 1980. On the first cruise into the North Atlantic in 1938 it was discovered that the ship was unsuited for its purpose, as it was not sufficiently stable to allow scientific work.[1] It was returned to the shipyard and extended by 8 metres (26 ft) in 1939. During the Second World War (1940-1945) the ship was kept and maintained in Copenhagen harbour, but with vital engine parts removed and thus never seized by the German occupation force.[1]

The main work from Dana was to conduct marine biological and hydrographical research in the Baltic, North Sea and waters around Faroe Islands and Greenland. In 1966 Dana was on a cruise to the Sargasso Sea and West Indies (cruise leader Erik Berthelsen), with primary aims to conduct hydrographical research and continue research on the reproductive biology of the European eel.[2]

Dana was succeeded by the research vessel Dana (IV) in 1980. The ship served for a period as guard and crew exchange vessel for oil and gas installations in the North Sea and was eventually sold to P&T Charters. It was completely refurbished, rigged as a 3-masted schooner under the name of Gulden Leeuw and continues to sail as a charter vessel.

References

  1. ^ a b c Sandbeck, Thorkild. "I Danas Kølvand". Fiskeritidende. 3 (13/14): 117–144.
  2. ^ Wolff, Torben (1967). Danish Expeditions on the Seven Seas. Copenhagen: Rhodos.