Thor (1903)

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Research vessel Thor.jpg
The Danish Research trawler Thor (1903-1927)
History
Denmark
NameThor
OwnerIslands Handel & Fiskeri A/S
Port of registryCopenhagen
Builder, North Shields, England
Yard number606
Launched1898-11-26
Completed1899
Out of service1902
Denmark
NameThor
OwnerDanish Steam Trawling
OperatorAdolph Carl
Port of registryCopenhagen
In service1902
Out of service1903
Denmark
NameThor
OwnerDanish Ministry for Agriculture and Fishing
Port of registryCopenhagen
In service1903
Out of service1927
IdentificationCall sign: NLBT[1]
Iceland
NameThor
Owner, Iceland
Port of registryVestmannaeyjar
In service1929
Out of service1930
Fatewrecked[2]
General characteristics
TypeSteam trawler
Tonnage190 BT / 71 NT
Length115.3 feet
Beam21.3 feet
Draught11.0 feet
Decks1
Propulsion325 hp triple expansion steam engine, , South Shields, 1 x screw
NotesRigged as trawler

Thor was a Danish research vessel from 1903 to 1927. She was built by Edwards Brothers at North Shields, England in 1899 as a steam trawler. Thor conducted hydrographical and oceanographical research in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean and helped locate the spawning grounds of the Icelandic cod.[3] Most importantly, Thor conducted two expeditions to the Mediterranean Sea in 1908-1910 with Johannes Schmidt as cruise leader. The aim of the expeditions, funded by the Carlsberg Foundation, was to locate the spawning grounds of the European eel. Contrary to their expectations the expeditions found that fewer eel larvae (leptocephals) were found the deeper they went into the Mediterranean, but they also grew larger. The logical conclusion was that the spawning grounds were not in the Mediterranean, but in the Atlantic Ocean. In a broader perspective, the greatest result of the two expeditions was the very large contribution to the general understanding of the oceanography and pelagic fauna of the Mediterranean.[3]

In 1914, Thor was commissioned into to the Royal Danish Navy, in which she remained until decommissioned in 1929, [1] and transferred to Icelandic ownership, but was wrecked the following year.

The two Thor expeditions to the Mediterranean Sea

  • First expedition in 1908-09.

  • Second expedition in 1910.

References[]

  1. ^ "www.jmarcussen.dk". Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Tynebuildships.co.uk". Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b Wolff, Torben (1967). 200 years of Danish Marine Exploration. Copenhagen: Rhodos.
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