Legacy of the Nella Dan: A Historic Antarctic Research Vessel

The Scythian philosopher Anacharsis once said that there are three types of people: those who are alive, those who are dead, and those who are at sea. The Nella Dan, a beloved ship that served as a supply, expedition, and research vessel in northeast Greenland and Antarctica, was home to a passionate crew who considered the sea their true calling. Many of those who were onboard when the ship grounded in December 1987 never sailed again, such was their dedication to the Nella Dan.

Built in 1961, the 75.5-meter Nella Dan quickly became the flagship of the J. Lauritzen polar fleet. Over the course of 26 years, she made 124 voyages, making the Arctic-Antarctic roundtrip each season for over two decades. Families were encouraged to sail on the Nella Dan, with some crewmembers, like Finn Wollesen, starting their seafaring journey at just six weeks old. The ship was specifically designed to enhance the research capabilities of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE).

Tragically, the Nella Dan met its end in Buckles Bay, Macquarie Island, in December 1987, when it smashed against the rocks while transferring fuel to the research station. Despite being refloated weeks later, the ship caught fire and was ultimately scuttled in deep water. In 2020, the ship’s resting place was mapped during Australian research into underwater earthquakes, with many remembering the Nella Dan as a legendary vessel that played a significant role in Antarctic exploration. Today, the memory of the Nella Dan lives on through the group Friends of Nella Dan, who maintain a website with a film database dedicated to preserving the ship’s legacy.

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