The Royal Yacht Dannebrog

[Muhler]

Isn't there a thread about Dannebrog? She's a residence too.

In Billed Bladet #18, 2011 we are informed that there is a christening ceremony onboard Danneborg for those onboard who pass the polar circle for the first time.
It's pretty similar to passing the equator, just colder, a lot colder!

King Neptune pays a visit and those who are to be baptized are subjected to various mischiefs and baptized in ice cold water. Mary was exposed to that when she visited Greenland in 2005 I think.
Our Marie has yet to go through that experience.

 

[Muhler]

To my surprise there doesn't seem to be a special thread about Dannebrog even though she is an official residence.

Let me start out with a few HQ pics of her: http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/537/2/2537611-.jpg

http://www.bt.dk/sites/default/files-dk/node-images/77/5/5077954-dannebrog.jpg

And this smaller but beautiful picture of Dannebrog along side the school ship Danmark: https://www.box.com/s/403506ccef64966b5a1d (Notice the similar lines).

A HQ mood picture of Dannebrog in the evening, there is a reception taking place on the quarter deck: http://www.kanalhjoerring.dk/uploads/kanal/11842_13143077344840.jpeg

And Dannebrog in harbour: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Dannebrogen_19_juni_2010a.jpg
Notice the sentry at the foot of the landing. If we are to be pedantic, he is really called a phalarope's mate, and the thing with the stairs is called the phalarope.
The phalarope's mate is usually armed with drawn cutlass.

A picture of Dannebrog amidst the summer-ice off Greenland. Notice the Regent Couple on the bridge and QMII's pennant flying from the aft mast: http://i1.jimg.dk/2011/7/15/8/r3ucth1r.jpg

Danneborg was build in 1932 and Danmark in 1933.

Danmark incidentally served as a school ship for the US Coastguard during WWII.

Dannebrog is ship number one in the Danish Navy, she's officially classified as a hospitalship. (NATO classification A 540, I.e an auxillary ship).
Completed in 1932.
Length: 79 meters.
Width: 10.4 meters.
Depth: 3.7 meters.
Displacement: 1.130 tonnes.
Masts: 23 meters.
Speed: 14 knots (about 25 KM/H).
Crew: Around 55, of which roughly two thirds are conscripts. (There is at present a two year waiting list to serve as a conscript onboard Dannebrog).
Range: 3.800 nautical miles (6.480 kilometres).
She is propelled by two B&W Alpha Diesel engines, each producing 870 hp.

Being captain of Dannebrog is the most senior ship-command you can have in the Danish Navy. The captain is officially the Monarch's personal captain and as such he is also the first among the adjutants. It is also usually the last command before retirement.

She is an official residence when the Monarch's pennant is flying from the mast.

She has until now (2011) more than 300.000 nautical miles under her keel.

In front of the smokestack are the crews quarters, behind the smokestack are the quarters of the DRF.

Her homebase, outside the sailing season is Naval Station Frederikshavn.

 

[polyesco]

thank you for this.
what a beautiful ship

 

[Tarlita]

Dannebrog

I have always loved this yacht, she is very graceful looking and I love the way the royal family use it as a residence like when they went to London. She seems cosy and relaxed from the interior pics I have seen from a Swedish site many years ago. Not at all lavish, just functional.
Thank you Muhler for the specifications about her. She is a quality ship.

 

[ashelen]

any pictures from inside? i love the ship wish i could visit inside!!!

 

[Muhler]

Okay, let's have a look at Dannebrog inside.
(The links: Remember to always open in a full screen first, then use the slider to zoom in).

These pictures are from Dannebrog's homebase at Frederikshavn, where she was being prepared for this years cruises and the conscripts were being trained. The conscripts started their service in January.

https://www.box.com/s/cac313e4e932c346d18b
When you walk up the gangway or phalarope or whatever you want to call it, you will meet the officer of the watch. He will enter your name on the duty roster/board, so that in case of an emergency he knows who is onboard and who is not.

https://www.box.com/s/d5ee29b28b187de742e1
The captain's cabin. He may hold the most distinguished ship command in the Danish navy, but it isn't exactly a luxurious accomodation. In fact he sleeps with his feet under his desk.
It is QMII, with her usual colorful taste, who have chosen the pattern for the captain's bunk.

https://www.box.com/s/5b0a932b0a47f47f7e79
The concript rating's mess.

https://www.box.com/s/2ab254385ab386ea52f8
The conscript's bunks. They stow away their belongings in the drawers.
The Danish nautical word for the crew's quarters is "banjer".
There are two toilets/heads for the conscripts and three showers. There is no distinction between men and women.

https://www.box.com/s/b7592c0a0b1ffc7371d2
Conscripts, here in work fatigue, spend the late winter and entire spring training for the cruises. There is at present a two year waiting list to serve onboard Dannebrog, cooks and bakers are very much in demand.
A growing number of conscripts are women.
Men have a duty to serve as a conscript here in DK if need be, women have a right to serve as a conscript, if they wish to.
Every morning fresh bread is baked for the crew as well as the royals. However the dinners prepared by conscript cooks in the galley, both for the crew and the DRF, are different.
During the cruises the ship is cleaned every day between 08.00 and 09.30. The salt is particularly hard on the much brass onboard, so it is estimated that more than 200 litres of polish is used every year.

https://www.box.com/s/3a4ab23d84279f1b6ded
The officers mess. Conscripts who serve at dinners for the DRF and guests, practise their skills at the officers first.

https://www.box.com/s/1e929a2f310cc716821b
A ship like Dannebrog, of course needs supplies, lots of supplies.
On trips abroad the escorting warship also serve as a tender for Dannebrog.
She is painted every year. Every surface that is white, grey or yellow is repainted. The sea takes it's toll and it's no use just to spot-paint her. That would be clearly visible.

https://www.box.com/s/c93198ef3a3882e41ecf
The hall. As I understand it, it's the first room you go in to, when you enter the DRF section of Dannebrog.
Behind the painting on the wall is a TV-screen.
From here is also a stairway down to the private cabins (lukafer) of the DRF.

https://www.box.com/s/4c97826c2067c8db6a90
Then you walk down the corridor on a carpet that is also a chart of the eastern coastline of Zealand, form Copenhagen up past Kronborg Castle.
Along the corridor are "lukafer" = cabins for the personal staff of the DRF. I.e. the Lady in Waiting, adjutants etc.

https://www.box.com/s/cff718e5b2982af16b8c
At the end of the corridor, you come to the dining room. The table can of course be extended. You will notice that the carpets have been stowed away for the winter and so have the paintings on the wall. For the same reason the armchairs have been covered.

https://www.box.com/s/54dcc445790b9db31bef
Close to the dining room is the pantry, in nautical terms called a "bestiklukaf", which I believe is translated to chartroom.
The china is secured as you can see, Dannebrog rolls a lot in the sea, not that it affects the DRF much, they are not prone to seasickness.

https://www.box.com/s/ccdff5b6b90bbebddd41
However, should you one day find yourself onboard Dannebrog as a guest of the DRF and you are sailing in the North Atlantic, you will almost with guarantee end up in this nook - wishing to die. Said to be the most stable place on the ship. At least in the DRF quarters. It is located in the corridor. This also used to be Queen Ingrid's favorite spot.

https://www.box.com/s/7a57ffe9cae6770344cc
The lounge.
The little round table in the background is a well-used bridge table.
Notice the telltale-compass in the ceilling.
The piano (flygel) is very much used by Prince Henrik.

https://www.box.com/s/4cb5655161188d8564e1
A closer look at the telltale compass. On this and an identical compass in Frederik's IX's study, now used by Prince Henrik, you can keep an eye on the heading of the ship.
Frederik IX, being very much a sailor king, was known to keep a very vigilant eye on the compass, if he noticed the ship had changed course, he contacted the bridge to ask why.

https://www.box.com/s/6c17cd1e450d82f8d1b4
The smoking salon on the top deck. From here you have an almost panoramic view of the sea. It is a favorite place of Prince Henrik, who usually enjoys his morning coffee here, and who can blame him?

https://www.box.com/s/f5d9c56f885e8add8b61
The smoking salon, inside. The pillows have been embroidered by QMII and the motifs are from Greenland and The Faroe Islands.
In the back is a small library. The books are changed every year and new books, especially about the places Dannebrog is to visit during the cruises are added. The library also functions as wardrobe for visiting guests.

 

[ashelen]

Muhler thank yo so much! stunning! wow the captain cabin! my dear how small! i wonder how big arethecabis for theQueen and Frederik when is mary and all the kids together?

 

[polyesco]

thank you Muhler for all the pictures and information.
What a great ship for the DRF to use

 

[Muhler]

You are welcome, Polyesco & Ashelen.

You can also find pictures on DanishRoyalWatchers Blog.
Like these pictures of M&F in the smoking salon on the top deck.
Danish Royal Watchers: Some new old photos from Bornholm...

And member Northern Light has dug up these pictures as well:

The Smoking Salon: Ifotki.info -
Ifotki.info -

The lounge: Ifotki.info -
Ifotki.info -
Ifotki.info -
Notice the heavy ashtrays between the chairs.

And the hall: Ifotki.info -

All credit to Northern Light and DRW.

 

[ashelen]

Muhler:
thank you so much the photosar gorgeous, it is incredible place! and Mary in that suit stunning!!!!

 

[Muhler]

Summary of a Q&A in Billed Bladet #47, 2013.

Where a Preben Kjærsgaard would like to know the purpose of the signal flags from fore to aft on Dannebrog when she enters a port:
As seen here: http://www.billedbladet.dk/sites/billedbladet.dk/files/storage_1/media/kongeskibet-dannebrog_hj.jpg

Jon Bloch Skipper explains that "dressing the ship" as it is called, is an old tradition.
Beforehand it marked very special occasion, but today the navy, and civillian ships too, dress the ship to mark a festive occasion or to celebrate something. Dannebrog entering a port during the summer cruises is considered a festive occasion, hence the flags.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

It was interesting to learn that the Royal Yacht was built as a replacement for the previous royal vessel, the paddle steamer Dannebrog from 1879.
​

 

[Muhler]

Some of you may recall that it's a little dream of mine that king Frederik and queen Mary will some day visit Australia onboard Dannebrog.

As such I've tried to imagine how Dannebrog (and her escort) would look like in Sydney harbour.
Australian members will no doubt spot that I had to cheat a little to get the angle of the light right.

https://app.box.com/s/13mg8fqagnztjree2oc3

BB is up.

 

[ashelen]

Muhler! I love it!!!1 may be it will come true!

 

[polyesco]

the DRF facebook has added some beautiful photos of the family on the Dannebrog in connection with a new book on the royal Yacht

"a ship like the Dannebrog brings back memories for anyone who has been on board, and in the many waving to us along the coasts and from other vessels at sea. It is clear that the Dannebrog doesn't just have a special place for us, but also for many danes ".
From H.M. The Queen's preface to the new book "Royal Yacht Dannebrog", published next Thursday."


Royal couple greet the conscripts.
https://scontent.fsan1-1.fna.fbcdn....=2cc330bc1ce6e6868ec49e02ddcac6a0&oe=5886B7CE

Kronprinsparret with their four children in Greenland.
https://scontent.fsan1-1.fna.fbcdn....=17712d6e73f8581291a26d816a9d67c1&oe=589EE5FD

this photo is stunning, the red flag, the windmills in the back, the blue sea
https://scontent.fsan1-1.fna.fbcdn....=65b7fb0c3188ccc532aca099697ea622&oe=58CB1A50

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

the DRF facebook has added some beautiful photos of the family on the Dannebrog in connection with a new book on the royal Yacht

"a ship like the flag brings back memories for anyone who has been on board, and in the many waving to us along the coasts and from other vessels at sea. It is clear that the flag doesn't just have a special place for us, but also for many danes ".
From H.M. The Queen's preface to the new book "Royal Yacht Dannebrog", published next Thursday."

[...]

That translation comes from an online translator, I think?
The ship is named Dannebrog, not Flag.

I can see where that translation comes from:
like Union Jack, or Stars and Stripes, or Tricolore, also Dannebrog is a nickname for the national flag.

 

[polyesco]

That translation comes from an online translator, I think?
The ship is named Dannebrog, not Flag.

I can see where that translation comes from:
like Union Jack, or Stars and Stripes, or Tricolore, also Dannebrog is a nickname for the national flag.

yes online translations.
let me fix it
Apologize for not double checking

 

[eya]

And Summer Videos without Dannebrog?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlKh8TSnm89/?taken-by=detdanskekongehus

 

[polyesco]

Cool photo of the Danish air force flying above the Dannebrog
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmQjSTs...mbed&utm_campaign=embed_loading_state_control

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Polyesco.

The F16 with the Dannebrog on it's tail is the PR-plane. It's used for show and in photos.
So we can expect some great photos of this at some point.

Both Dannebrog and the F16 have beautiful feminine lines. - Something you can hardly say about the plane that will replace them, the somewhat ugly F35.

 

[eya]

The Dannebrog prepares to say goodbye for this year!


https://www.instagram.com/p/B2OSazRAs98/

 

[Muhler]

Aah, well-polished, neat, clean, shining. Nice! ?

You'd be forgiven for thinking it's the army who is maintaining the ship... ?

 

[Durham]

I have watched this documentary on the Dannebrog. Stunning ship, gorgeous in fact. Looks a lots like the Nahlin.

Obviously I didn't know what was being said but I still enjoyed watching.

What plans if any are there for the future? Will it be refitted again when it needs it or will a brand new yacht be bought? I hope there are no plans to do away with the Danish royal yacht.

 

[Muhler]

I have watched this documentary on the Dannebrog. Stunning ship, gorgeous in fact. Looks a lots like the Nahlin.

Obviously I didn't know what was being said but I still enjoyed watching.

What plans if any are there for the future? Will it be refitted again when it needs it or will a brand new yacht be bought? I hope there are no plans to do away with the Danish royal yacht.

She is a beauty. ?

It was made by the same team who followed the DRF behind the scenes for a year some 12-14 years ago and in the same way. I.e. Quietly letting people enjoying the scenery and letting those in the know, including QMII, quietly talk about their jobs and why things are done the way it's done.

I don't think there are plans for the ship. She had a major overhaul back around 1980, so I guess another overhaul may be needed at some point within the next 20 years or so. New engines will probably be needed.
But she is still in very fine condition. She is very stylish and being almost 100 years old, she is sailing history and a major crowd-pleaser wherever she sails.
She is also adequate as a royal residence. Not too big and not too small.

She also serves a purpose beyond being a floating residence, in the sense that some 40-50 conscripts get their seamanship training aboard her every year. In fact there is a two year waiting list for serving aboard Dannebrog.

There is no serious public call for her to be replaced with anything more modern and certainly not for scrapping her!
Considering that DK is the fifth largest maritime merchant nation in the world, she is a very fitting representative for DK.

She also makes things simpler when the DRF are on summer tours. No need to book and secure hotels or manors or fly back and forth. The DRF members can go straight to bed in their own cabins, once the guests leave in the evening.

 

[Blog Real]

The former Dannebrog yacht, which was built in 1879 and decommissioned in 1931.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMY_Dannebrog_(1879)

 

[Muhler]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dannebrog_(ship,_1880).TIF

The first royal yacht, Dannebrog, was also a very much a navy ship.
Notice the tight rigging with the masts leaning back in the cruiser style.
And the long low narrow hull.
The bridge is also midship, as was standard for warships in the mid to late 1800s. Hence the term "bridge", because that's what it was. Replacing the previous term "quarterdeck."
Very much in line with the modern steel warships that were replacing the hybrid steel-wooden ships of the line around the time she was build.

In fact the first electricity plant in DK was a warship.

This first Dannebrog was, I understand, slow. Hardly suited for oceanic voyages, but more for sailing in calmer seas and along coasts. It was also dirty, being coal-fueled and she rolled a lot.
By 1930 she was hopelessly old-fashioned and was replaced by the much more elegant and more feminine present-day Dannebrog. A diesel-driven steam-ship and much better suited for oceanic voyages.
A pity though, they didn't preserve her. As an engineering historical ship she was interesting.

But there was actually a ship number one before the first Dannebrog. And she is preserved to this day.
The frigate Jylland (Jutland).
Here she is: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/7e/af/357eaffa8a7b27536630090205f010be.jpg
And at sea: https://maritimevenner.com/wp-content/uploads/JyllandUnderEnByge.jpg
Termed a frigate, she was really a hybrid heavy cruiser and she saw action during both Schlesvigan Wars.
There is cabin reserved for the king aboard, complete with a private head (privy) for the king. And she was used to ferry the king around the country, but she was hardly a yacht.

Before that the king usually raised his standard aboard the largest ship of the line available and commandeered the admirals cabin.

 

[Durham]

Thank you for all that interesting detail!

I'm pleased that there are no plans to replace or even worse scrap her. As you say it's fitting that she represents the nation with the world's fifth largest merchant fleet. I have royal yacht envy. What happened here was so short sighted & I'm glad that Denmark's not made the same mistake.

 

[Muhler]

Thank you for all that interesting detail!

I'm pleased that there are no plans to replace or even worse scrap her. As you say it's fitting that she represents the nation with the world's fifth largest merchant fleet. I have royal yacht envy. What happened here was so short sighted & I'm glad that Denmark's not made the same mistake.

Agree.
I had hoped you would build a new royal yacht - now that you have an aircraft carrier and as a national symbol after Brexit. But I guess there is little hope of that now here after Corona.
And yet... perhaps as a way to stimulate British ship-building?

 

[Durham]

Agree.
I had hoped you would build a new royal yacht - now that you have an aircraft carrier and as a national symbol after Brexit. But I guess there is little hope of that now here after Corona.
And yet... perhaps as a way to stimulate British ship-building?

Maybe. Unlikely I think. One of the two carriers is called Queen Elizabeth so that sort of counts.? Bit big for a yacht though.

Did you have a look at the Nahlin? It looks like Dannebrog's twin.

 

[Muhler]

I have now. ?

They are certainly related!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nahlin_(yacht)
https://superyachts.agent4stars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/NAHLINyacht.jpg

Nahlin is longer though and probably not designed for arctic sailing.

Couldn't the BRF charter her? Or another yacht like her?

(What's the matter with the Wikipedia links tonight?!?)