Ivar Knudsen

Ivar Peter Bagger Knudsen (1 April 1861 – 23 March 1920) was a Danish engineer. As the director of Burmeister & Wain (B&W), Knudsen led the development of the MS Selandia, the biggest, most advanced diesel-powered vessel of its time.[1][2]

Ivar Knudsen
c. 1912 portrait of Ivar Knudsen
Born1 April 1861
Følle, Denmark
Died23 March 1920(1920-03-23) (aged 58)
Mumbai, British Indian Empire
OccupationEngineer

Early life

Knudsen was born to Jens Elsbert Knudsen (1826–1901), a manager of a grocery firm, and Julie Vilhelmine Rønberg (1828–88). He was the brother of military physician Morten Knudsen and the women's rights activist Olga Knudsen. He trained to be a mechanic in Aarhus and worked in this profession until 1882 when he went to Copenhagen to study at the Technical University of Denmark. After finishing his studies in 1887 he was involved in the design of the fortifications of Copenhagen. He then worked as a mechanical engineer for the electric utility of Copenhagen.[3]

Engineering career

In 1895 he joined B&W as chief mechanical engineer.[4] He was promoted to Director of the engine department in 1897 where he started a comprehensive modernization. Knudsen realised the potential of the diesel engine as ship propulsion[1] and traveled to Germany to meet Rudolf Diesel[4] who was testing the new engines at MAN AG in Augsburg. Consequently B&W obtained the patent rights on the Diesel engine for Denmark.[5] The following years saw numerous tests and improvements, eventually resulting in an efficient and reliable machine. In 1908 Knudsen became the head of both the machine factory in Christianshavn and the shipyard in Refshaleøen.[3]

MS Selandia

Hans Niels Andersen, founder of the East Asiatic Company, saw that diesel powered ships would mean a leap forward for the shipping industry, and in December 1910 placed an order with B&W for a large oceangoing motor ship, the MS Selandia.[6]

The first voyage in February 1912,[2] with Andersen and Knudsen on board, was from Copenhagen to Bangkok via London and Antwerp.[5][7] The ship was received with great interest and many people visited the Selandia including the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, and other high ranking naval officers.[5]

The Emperor William II visits the MS Fionia in Kiel, here in the company of H. N. Andersen and Ivar Knudsen.

Selandia had two sister ships, the MS Jutlandia[8] and the MS Fionia;[2] finishing their sea trials in June 1912, and July 1912,[9][10] respectively. The Fionia was met with similar interest in Germany during Kiel Week, where visitors included German Emperor Wilhelm II and Albert Ballin, director of the Hamburg America Line.[11]

Knudsen resigned from the yard's daily management in April 1919, joining the company's board as an advisor.

Personal life

Knudsen is one of the men seen in Peder Severin Krøyer's monumental 1904 oil-on-canvas group portrait painting Men of Industry. He died "mysteriously"[4] from food poisoning[3] while on a trip to India on 23 March 1920. He is buried in Hellerup Cemetery. His grave has been removed.[12] A large memorial stone was unveiled in Følle in 1932.[13]

Awards

See also

References
  1. Pospiech, Peter (27 December 2012). Memorable 2012: 100th Anniversary of MV Selandia. maritimepropulsion.com. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  2. Hines, J.S. (1912). Pacific Marine Review, Volumes 9–10. New York, NY: General Books. p. 14. ISBN 9781236576040. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  3. H. P. C. (1915–1930). "Knudsen, Ivar". Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon (in Danish). pp. 217–18. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  4. "The originators of the building of the M/S Selandia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  5. Johannes Lehmann (1937). M/S Selandia: 1912–37. Petersen.
  6. H.N. Andersen. denstoredanske.dk. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  7. M/S Selandia lever videre. selandia100.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  8. (1913). Cassier's Engineering Monthly, Volume 43. New York, NY: Wendell Lansing. ISBN 9781236361226.
  9. Rivers and Harbors, Volume 2. google.com (google eBooks). p. 7. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  10. MS Jutlandia (1912). co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  11. Persons on board the M/S Selandia. selandia100.dk. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  12. "SIvar Knudsen". gravsted.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  13. "Ivar Knudsen-mindestenen in Følle" (PDF). friborghansen.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 16 June 2022.
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