HDMY Dannebrog (A540)

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.

For other ships with the same name, see HDMY Dannebrog.
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

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: she serves as the Royal Yacht during peacetime and can become a hospital ship during emergency alerts or war.

The ship's hull is of rivetted steel construction on transverse frames. The ship has a clipper bow and an elliptical ('counter') stern. Viewed from the side, the ship may be divided into two sections. Forward of the funnel there is space for the crew, any cargo, and the engine. At the rear is the Royal Apartment, which could accommodate patients if ever the yacht were needed as a hospital ship. 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 Saloon, Lounge, Bedrooms, 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 she was commissioned in 1932, the Dannebrog 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] On 7 July 1956, Dannebrog collided with the British sloop HMS Redpole, breaking her bowsprit.[3]

Jørgen Hviid served as one of the ship's captains.[4] A major overhaul was carried out in 1980/81 to extend the life of the yacht into the 21st century. She is still in excellent condition, with major improvements having been carried out, including replacement of the main engines.

References
  1. "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.
  3. "Sea Accidents and Losses". Danish Naval History. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  4. "Kommandørkaptajn Jørgen Hviid". dansk film database (in Danish). Retrieved 2019-02-05.

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