dan ships
J. Lauritzen A/S started as a timber yard in 1884 by Lauritz Ditlev Lauritsen naming it after his father, Jørgen Lauritsen. Today, the private non-listed company operates worldwide controlling a fleet of bulk and gas carriers and employs over 1000 staff.
The 'Dan Ships', delivered by J. Lauritzen, were an integral part of Australia’s Antarctic Program, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) between 1953 and 1987.
The 'Dan Ships', delivered by J. Lauritzen, were an integral part of Australia’s Antarctic Program, the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) between 1953 and 1987.
Dan ships and the arctic
The program was established in 1948 and headed up by Dr. Phillip Law, an Australian scientist and explorer, from 1949 to 1966 and who subsequently chaired the Australian National Committee on Antarctic Research until 1980.
the ships
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The Lauritzen Ships, Thala Dan, Kista Dan, Magga Dan and the last and probably most well-known, Nella Dan (1962-1987), were almost synonymous with ANARE shipping in the early years of Australia’s Antarctic program. They sailed regularly to the ports of Port Melbourne and Hobart to and from Antarctica, supplying Australia’s stations.
In 1952, Kista Dan, the first of the polar vessels designed specifically for arctic expeditions, was delivered and after a maiden voyage to Greenland, it was chartered to ANARE the following year to build a permanent station for Australia in the Arctic. Magga Dan (1956) and Thala Dan (1957) followed and until the late 80s, ANARE was a regular customer of Lauritzen. |
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nella dan (1962-1987)
Nella Dan on fire and sinking in December 1987
The Nella Dan, named after Nel Law, wife of Phillip Law, was built by the Aalborg Shipyard Pty Ltd in 1961 incorporating features from its three polar vessel predecessors. At the time of being built, the Nella Dan was regarded as setting the standard for polar vessels around the world.
During the 26 years of being chartered to ANARE, the Nella Dan sailed to the Antarctic every year and was the longest continuously serving of any Antarctic ship.
During a resupply operation at Macquarie Island (between New Zealand and the Arctic) in December 1987, Nella Dan was driven aground just metres off the island. Salvaging the vessel proved impossible and on the 24th of December 1987, she was sunk in deep water off Macquarie Island.
During the 26 years of being chartered to ANARE, the Nella Dan sailed to the Antarctic every year and was the longest continuously serving of any Antarctic ship.
During a resupply operation at Macquarie Island (between New Zealand and the Arctic) in December 1987, Nella Dan was driven aground just metres off the island. Salvaging the vessel proved impossible and on the 24th of December 1987, she was sunk in deep water off Macquarie Island.