Magga Dan 1959-61
The Magga Dan had the distinction of carrying south the first woman to travel with ANARE in 1961. Amidst some controversy, Nel Law, the wife of Phil Law, then director of the Antarctic Division, visited the Antarctic continent with the approval of the acting Minister for External Affairs, John Gorton.
Capable of travelling at 12 knots with up to 35 passengers, the Magga Dan was ice strengthened to an unusual extent. She was built to the demands of both Lloyds+ 100 A1 "Strengthened for Navigation in Ice", and Finnish Ice Class 1 A. Stem and shell plating were increased beyond normal. Like the Thala Dan, she was fitted with an ice knife, to protect the rudder when going astern. Three ice fins were arranged on each side of the hull to protect the propeller from ice damage. Her specifications were as follows:
- main engine Burmeister & Wain type 735-VBF-62. The engine was a direct reversible single-acting two-stroke, 7-cylinder diesel motor with turbo charge. Normal output of the engine was about 2060 horsepower at 300 revs per minute.
- length 75.135 metres
- breadth moulded 131.72 metres
- draft fully loaded 6 metres
- bunker capacity 450 tons
- consumption 8 tons per day excluding refrigeration
- range of action 16 000 miles
- speed 12 knots
- passenger capacity 35
The ship was specially equipped as a refrigerated ship with insulated holds to carry fruit, frozen meat and fish for long periods.
Like the other Dan ships, the Magga Dan made a significant contribution in the few years of her charter to Australian Antarctic exploration.
