Thala Dan

MV "Thala Dan" was one of a fleet of icebreaking cargo-passenger ships operated by the Danish J. Lauritzen A/S Lines, and chartered to, inter alia, ANARE (Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions). Others in the fleet included Kista Dan and Nella Dan.

Overview

Operating out of Melbourne and later Hobart, Tasmania in the southern summer of each year from the 1957 to 1982 [Australian Antarctic Division [http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=27184 Thala Dan 1957-82] Retrieved October 26, 2007.] , this ship was used as re-supply for the Australian bases at Macquarie Island, Mawson Station, Davis Station, Wilkes Station and Casey Station plus occasional visits to Heard Island, the Russian Mirny Station, the French Dumont d'Urville Station and other exploration.

In 1982, Thala Dan was sold to the Brazilian Navy, which renamed her to "Barao de Teffé" and used her for Antarctic expeditions again until 2002. Along with three other Lauritzen ships (Kista Dan, Magga Dan and Nella Dan), she was featured on an Australian Antarctic Territory postage stamp in 2003 [Australia Post: [http://www.auspost.com.au/philatelic/stamps/index.asp?link_id=2.678 AAT Antarctic Ships] Retrieved October 26, 2007.] .

The Thala Dan was apparently also used for sailings to Quebec in the first three months of the year in the 1960s [Tuck, John, 1959 [http://www.icwa.org/Select1.asp?f=JT-6.pdf Letter to Richard Nolte, dated 13 November, 1959] Retrieved October 26, 2007.] . In 2007, the former M.V. Thala Dan was reported awaiting wrecking in Rio de Janeiro [Berg, Jorgen, 2007: [http://www.bergshippingconsultancy.com.au/CVJB.htm CV for Captain Jorgen Berg] Retrieved October 26, 2007.] . After failed Australian attempts to purchase and turn Thala Dan into a museum ship, she was scrapped in Rio de Janeiro in October 2007. [ [http://www.mhav.net/Newsletters/MHAVNews15.pdf Maritime Heritage Association of Victoria newsletter #15] Retrieved March 23, 2008] .

References