Dana (1937)

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]

As Gulden Leeuw at Falmouth
History
Denmark
Name	Dana (III)
Owner	Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing
Port of registry	Copenhagen
Builder	Frederikshavn Shipyard, Frederikshavn, Denmark
Cost	952,500 DKK[1]
Yard number	207
Laid down	6 October 1936
Launched	1 September 1937
Completed	21 December 1937
In service	1938
Identification	Call sign: OYTJ IMO number: 5085897
Denmark
Name	Dana Researcher
Owner	Svend E. Sønderstrup
Port of registry	Fåborg
Acquired	1980
Identification	Call sign: OYTJ IMO number: 5085897
Denmark
Name	Esvagt Dana
Owner	Esvagt
Port of registry	Esbjerg
Acquired	1984
Identification	Call sign: OYTJ2 IMO number: 5085897
Denmark
Name	Dana Nyborg
Owner	Thomas Brocklebank, Grindsted
Port of registry	Esbjerg
Acquired	2001
Identification	Call sign: OYTJ2 IMO number: 5085897
Netherlands
Name	Gulden Leeuw
Owner	P&T Charters
Acquired	2007
Identification	Call sign: PCBH IMO number: 5085897 MMSI number: 246709000
Status	Active
General characteristics
Tonnage	354 GRT / 163 NRT
Length	150.6 feet (1939)
Beam	28 feet
Draught	16,4 feet
Decks	1
Propulsion	1100 hp 6-cyl. 4SA Frichs Diesel. Replaced in 1970 with 1200 hp 10-cyl. 4SA B&W Alpha-Diesel
Notes	Extended by 8 m in 1939. Rigged as 3-masted schooner in 2007

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.