Information about Navigation Authority

A great part of the exhibition describes the Lights- and Buoy Service. At the center of the hall is a large chart of the Kattegat. This is a standard chart no. 100 enlarged to 3.6 x 4.2 m. It shows the channels and fixed lights in the very busy waters through which most of the traffic to and from the Baltic Sea have to pass. These waters are difficult to navigate wherefore most large ships use Danish pilots. All the 72 lights on the chart flash with their light characters.

Along the walls you will see the tasks of the DANISH NAVIGATION AND HYDROGRAPHY AUTHORITY described in a number of instructive plates and pictures. There are also several items used by the services, as well as a model of Lightship no. XVIII. The light mast from this ship can be seen in the museum grounds and its bell is on show in one of the showcases.

The DANISH NAVIGATION AND HYDROGRAPHY AUTHORITY often comes into contact with the public. They are involved whenever new bridges are built; their permission is needed for large sailing races, construction of water-skiing lanes, and for diving at wrecks. The DANISH NAVIGATION AND HYDROGRAPHY AUTHORITY exercises the same authority in the waters round Greenland and the Faeroe Islands.

Our ”Royal Corner” is at the end of the hall. Here are the naval uniforms of the late prince Knud, Heir Presumptive and uncle to Queen Margrethe. The collection comprises all the uniforms prescribed for a Danish admiral. Included are also the various special accoutrements used by the Prince during his service as commanding officer at Coastal Fortresses. The ship’s bell, which formerly hung at his summer residence KLITGÅRDEN at the Skaw, was a present from Kystartilleriforeningen (the Coastal Artillery Association) at his silver wedding in 1958. The names of the fortresses he commanded are engraved on the bell.

In a large showcase you see a model of an Old Danish ship of the line. It was found in very poor condition at the naval base in Copenhagen. It is the model of a Danish frigate from the 17th century. It was probably made in the 18th century. A complete overhaul, carried out by our late model-builder was necessary, including a new hull as the original was worm-eaten. The bow part and the carved stern together with the complete rigging were transferred to the new hull. The pictures next to the model show the process.

Next to this model is a TITANIC exhibition.
The ship-models have been made by the wellknown shipmodel-builder Knud Roenfeldt from Aalborg, Denmark. The models are not made from “do-it-yourself-kits” or semimanufactured material, but solely constructed from drawings like they would be in a shipyard.

You will also see a collection of maritime articles and maritime paintings. They were all left to the museum by will of one of our friends.