J.R. Tolkien (schooner)

J.R. Tolkien is a gaff-topsail schooner of Netherlands registry used for passenger cruises on the Baltic Sea and elsewhere in European waters.

J.R. Tolkien off Brest, France, in 2013
History
East Germany
NameDierkow
Port of registryRostock
BuilderEdgar-André-Werft, Magdeburg
Launched1963
NotesConverted to a topsail schooner, 1994
Netherlands
NameJ.R. Tolkien
NamesakeJ. R. R. Tolkien[1][2]
OperatorVan der Rest Sail Charter
Port of registryAmsterdam
Acquired1994
Identification
StatusActive[3]
General characteristics [4]
TypeTopsail schooner
Tonnage139 GRT
Length
  • 41.7 m (137 ft) (overall)
  • 36 m (118 ft) (deck)
  • 31 m (102 ft) (waterline)
Beam7.8 m (26 ft)
Height32 m (105 ft) (main mast)
Draught3.2 m (10 ft)
Propulsion
  • Caterpillar diesel engine
  • 365 hp (272 kW)
Sail planSail Area: 628 m2 (6,760 sq ft)
Speed11.5 kn (21 km/h)[5]
Capacity
  • 90 guests
  • 10 three berth & 1 two berth cabins
Crew10

Originally named Dierkow, the vessel was built in 1964 as a seagoing diesel-electric tug at the Edgar-André-Werft in Magdeburg, East Germany. As a tug Dierkow was employed in freight transportation under East German registry from the Baltic port of Rostock.[6]

In 1994 Dierkow was acquired by the Van der Rest family for conversion to a topsail schooner with auxiliary propulsion for passenger cruising. Undergoing conversion at Rotterdam between 1995 and 1998, the craft was placed in Netherlands registry at Amsterdam and was renamed J.R. Tolkien in honor of the British author J.R.R. Tolkien.[6][1]

As a schooner J.R. Tolkien is a topsail-rigged vessel of 139 tons and measures 36m in hull length (41.7m overall) with a beam of 7.8m and draft of 3.2m. Two 32m masts carry a sail area of 628 square meters. Auxiliary propulsion is supplied by a Caterpillar engine of 365 horsepower.[6]

J.R. Tolkien carries a crew of 10 with 20 to 90 passengers on a day sail or up to 32 passengers on weekends or longer cruises. Accommodations include 11 cabins (ten with three berths, one with two berths) with separate shower and WC. The main salon can seat 50 persons for dinner. J.R. Tolkien is operated by Van der Rest Sail Charter,[6] who also operate the barquentine Loth Loriën.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Cordner, Chris (23 February 2018). "Tolkien about a wonderful ship with a fascinating past". Sunderland Echo. She was also renamed in honour of the British author JRR Tolkien.
  2. ^ Butcher, Amanda (2014). Tall Ships Handbook. Amberley Publishing Limited. p. 72. ISBN 9781445618685.
  3. ^ "GISIS: Ship and Company Particulars, Login needed". IMO. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. ^ "J.R. Tolkien schooner". schoonerman.com. 2008. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Tolkien". SAIL.nl - Tall Ships Amsterdam Event since 1975. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "The Yacht J R Tolkien". Charter World. 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ^ Butcher, Amanda (2014). Tall Ships Handbook. Amberley Publishing Limited. p. 184. ISBN 9781445618685.
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