J.R. Tolkien (schooner)
Encyclopedia
The J.R. Tolkien is a gaff-topsail schooner
of Netherlands
registry used for passenger cruises on the Baltic Sea
and elsewhere in European waters.
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 the Dierkow was employed in freight transportation under East German registry from the Baltic port of Rostock
.
In 1994 the 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.
As a schooner the 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.
The 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.
The J.R. Tolkien is operated by Van der Rest Sail Charter.
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
of Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
registry used for passenger cruises on the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
and elsewhere in European waters.
Originally named Dierkow, the vessel was built in 1964 as a seagoing diesel-electric
Diesel-electric
Diesel-electric transmission or diesel-electric powertrain is used by a number of vehicle and ship types for providing locomotion.A diesel-electric transmission system includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric traction motors...
tug
Tug
Tuğ is a village in the Khojavend Rayon of Azerbaijan....
at the Edgar-André-Werft in Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
, East Germany. As a tug the Dierkow was employed in freight transportation under East German registry from the Baltic port of Rostock
Rostock
Rostock -Early history:In the 11th century Polabian Slavs founded a settlement at the Warnow river called Roztoc ; the name Rostock is derived from that designation. The Danish king Valdemar I set the town aflame in 1161.Afterwards the place was settled by German traders...
.
In 1994 the 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
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
between 1995 and 1998, the craft was placed in Netherlands registry at Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and was renamed J.R. Tolkien in honor of the British author J.R.R. Tolkien.
As a schooner the 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
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
engine of 365 horsepower.
The 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.
The J.R. Tolkien is operated by Van der Rest Sail Charter.