A model of ‘Elephant,’ a frigate believed to be the first Danish ship to land at Tharangambadi in 1620 after almost two years of sailing from Denmark, was presented to the Tranquebar Maritime Museum by the Danish Tranquebar Association here recently.

According to historical accounts narrated by the association members, Elephant was part of a fleet of two warships and three merchant ships, which had set sail with the objective of establishing trade links with South Asia. The expedition was commanded by Admiral Ove Gedde. It landed in Tharangambadi on September 13, 1620. The Admiral later entered into a treaty with the Naik of Thanjavur and started the construction of Fort Dansborg in Tharangambadi.

The model of the ship was built by Koge Maritime Model Builders’ Guild in Denmark and presented to the Tranquebar Museum Director R. Sankar by Poul Petersen, president, Knud Helles, vice president, and other members of the Danish Tranquebar Association on the occasion of World Tourism Day recently. Kai Funch, who made the model, was felicitated on the occasion.

Mr. Petersen described the model of the ship as a symbol of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between India and Denmark. The Danish Tranquebar Association was keen to support the Tranquebar Maritime Museum as it “tells the Danish and Indian history,” he said.