HDMY Dannebrog (A540)

Dannebrog, Copenhagen 2017
History
Kingdom of Denmark
Name: Dannebrog
Namesake: Flag of Denmark (Danish: Dannebrog)
Laid down: 1931
Launched: 1932
Commissioned: 26 May 1932
Identification:
Status: in active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Displacement: 1,238 t (1,218 long tons)
Length: 78.43 m (257 ft 4 in)
Beam: 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Height: 32 m (105 ft 0 in)
Draft: 3.62 m (11 ft 11 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 13.5 knots (15.5 mph; 25.0 km/h)
Range: 3,600 nmi (6,700 km)
Complement: 9 officers & 43 men from the Royal Danish Navy

Her Danish Majesty's Yacht Dannebrog (A540) (Danish: KDM Dannebrog) was launched by Queen Alexandrine at Copenhagen in 1931, and commissioned on 26 May 1932. The yacht now serves as the official and private residence for Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and members of the Royal Family when they are on official visits overseas and on summer cruises in Danish waters. When at sea, the Royal Yacht also participates in surveillance and sea-rescue services.

Features

The Dannebrog, named after the flag of Denmark, was built in 1931–1932 at the Naval Dockyard in Copenhagen. She replaced the previous royal vessel, an 1879 paddle steamer, also called Dannebrog. The yacht has dual functions: it is primarily the Royal Yacht during peacetime; it can become a hospital ship during emergency alerts or war.

The ship’s hull is a riveted steel construction on transverse frames. The ship has a clipper stem and an elliptic stern. Viewed from the side, the ship may be divided into two sections. In front of the funnel there is space for the crew, any cargo, and the engine. At the rear is the Royal Apartment. This could accommodate patients if ever the yacht were used as a hospital. During visits to Danish and foreign ports the covered quarterdeck is used for receptions.

The Royal accommodation comprises studies for the Queen and The Prince Consort, a dining salon, a lounge, the bedroom, etc. They have taken a personal interest in fitting out the vessel and the choice of furnishings. The Royal Apartment contains furniture and fittings from the previous 1879 Royal vessel.

The Royal Yacht Dannebrog is an independent command, administered by the Chief of the Queen’s Naval Household, who is a member of the Royal Household. The crew of the Dannebrog comprises 9 officers, 7 sergeants, 2 enlisted able-seamen and 34 conscripts. The officers are normally seconded for periods of two to four years, whereas the conscripts stay for just one summer.

History

Since it was commissioned in 1932, the yacht has travelled more than 300,000 nautical miles (600,000 km) and visited most of the ports of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The yacht has also visited European ports, especially in France and cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas. Following Operation Safari, in 1943, Dannebrog was the only ship left untouched by the Germans.[2]

A major overhaul was carried out in 1980/81 to extend the life of the yacht beyond the start of the 21st century. Having now passed that point, the yacht is still in excellent condition, with major improvements including replacement of the yacht's main engines.

References

  1. 1 2 "På togt med Dannebrog". Kongehuset. Kongehuset. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  2. ↑ Nørby, Søren (27 November 2013). "Operation Safari – Det tyske forsøg på at afvæbne det danske forsvar". Dansk Militærhistorie (in Danish). Retrieved 13 August 2018.

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