The NRG Tour to Scandinavia: Denmark

København

Orlogsmuseet:

At an early date provisions for the collections of the valuable models were made. On the 25th of June 1670 Christian V, the King of Denmark, ordered the Admiralty to make a model whenever noget capital Orlogs Skib skal bygges [a large ship of war is to be built]. For this growing collection of models a Model Chamber was established in 1690. It was located at the Navy Yard on Bremerholmen in Copenhagen. Unfortunately many of these valuable models were destroyed or damaged at the fire of 1795. At least 123 models, of which 51 ship models, were lost and many of those which were saved were too damaged by fire and had to be scrapped.

When the Royal Navy occupied the shipyard at Nyholm in 1807 another 50 models were lost. Another 28 models which had been transferred to the Christiansborgs Castle were lost when that castle burned in 1884.

In spite of these unfortunate accidents the collection still include 136 ship models, 38 models of figure-heads and sterns, and 73 models of constructional details and other equipment.

A series of late 17th and early 18th century construction models built to the scale 1:24 are particularly interesting. These are largely unplanked but not built according to the English Navy Board style but in a manner consistent with the real ships.

Other notable models are;

1664 Churprinsen.
A Danish 68-gun man-of-war. Scale: c1:30.

Not present in the 1806 Inventory of the Royal Model Collection.

A model with contemporary rigging and sails, probably built as a church ship. Earlier identfied by P. Holck as the Anna Sophia, 1669, but subequently re-idenitfied by H.C. Bjerg as the Churprinsen of 1664.

1687 Elefanten.
A Danish Royal Yacht of 24 guns. .cm Christian V's Yacht.

Made by the English Master Shipwright Francis Sheldon then in Danish service. Transferred from Kunstkammeret (Arts Chamber) to the Royal Model Collection in 1745.

Entirely unplanked Navy Board style model. The round tuck shows the English heritage.

1689 Tre Løver.
A Danish 70-gun ship.

With bowsprit, main- and fore lower masts, topmasts lowered, lower yards lowered to deck, topsail yards lowered to top. There are no rigging.

This design by Francis Sheldon introduced [?] the English round tuck in Danish ships.

Unplanked below the main wales. The framing system is different from the traditional English dockyard model pattern. Except for midships where one pair of frames is left out, only every third pair is present.

The model was transferred to the Royal Model Collection from the Kunstkammeren (Arts Chamber) in 1745.

1736 Fyen.
A Danish 50-gun ship. Scale: 1:18.

The model was completed in 1741-42 and brought to the Christiansborg Castle in 1766 at the Kings request. Contemporary rigging with sails. The rigging was somewhat damaged at the fire in 1795 but the repairs have been satisfactory done.

There is another model made of board frames and ribbands believed to be of this ship in the Handels- og Søfartsmuseet på Kronborg, Helsingør.

1752 Dronning Juliane Maria
A Danish 70-gun ship. Scale: 1:36.

The model was built in 1757-1765 at the Konstruktionsskolen. Exhibited at the St. Nicolai Kirke 1958-1985 [?]. This model was made by three model builders, Johan Knudsen Trane, David Staer and Stork and was not completed until 1765. The sculptures and ornamentations were originally made of wax but were replaced in 1815 by new sculptures made of wood by the apprenticed carver Henrik Knudsen Trane. Made to be divided into five horizontal sections. Considered to be one of the most beautiful models in the collection.

Rosenborgs Slott

One of the finest and most interesting ivory ships models can be seen at the Rosenborg Castle. It is a model of the Norske Løve of 1634 "built" [or perhaps rather finished] by Jacob Jensen in 1654. There are also several smaller models of galleys, also made of ivory.

Tøjhusmuseet

A weaponry museum housed in an armoury built in 1598-1604. On display is a large collection of naval guns and other weapons.

Fregatten Peder Skram

The frigate Peder Skram (1966) was turned into a museum ship in 1999 and is now moored at Dokøens Sydkaj, the Holmen Naval Establishment.

Roskilde

Roskilde can be reached by commuter train [23-30 min].

Vikingeskibsmuseet:

The remains of five vikingships are exhibited.

Helsingør

At the most narrow part of the Sound you will find the twin cities Helsingør and Helsingborg flanking the most busy stretch of water in the world. A 56 minute commuter train journey from Copenhagen will get you to Helsingør and from there it is walking distance to the Kronborg Castle and the maritime museum. The castle is also known as Hamlet's Castle of Shakespeare fame.

Handels- og Søfartsmuseet på Kronborg:

The Danish National Trade and Maritime Museum.