Dokken (DAC ship) explained

Dokken was an East Indiaman of the Danish Asiatic Company, built at Andreas Bodenhoff's Dockyard in 1742. She vanished on the way back from her fourth expedition to Tranquebar in Danish India, in 1751, between the Cape of Good Hope and Europe.

Construction and design

Dokken was constructed at Andreas Bjørn's dockyard at Bjørns Plads. She was immediately sold for 17,800 rigsdaler to the Danish Asiatic Company. She was the first of three frigates acquired by the Danish Asiatic Company from Bjørn's dockyard. The two others were Trankebar and København, both acquired in 1743. Dokken was named for Copenhagen's new dry dock, which had been inaugurated to great festivitas in 1738.^[1]

DAC career

Dokken was sent to Danish India four times. She was under the command of captain Niels Haagensen Due on all four expeditions.^[1]

1743-44Dokken departed from Copenhagen on 20 December 1742. She called at Helsingør for the last supplies and possibly to await more favorable wind conditions. She saluted Kronborg on the 30 January, marking the beginning of her voyage. She carried a cargo with a total value of 100,000 rigsdaler, consisting of silver (92,891 rigsdaler, 93 %), other metals (5,264 rigsdaler), wine and alcohol (1,276 rigsdaler), ship components (80 rigsdaler) and "other goods" (489 rigsdaler).^[2]

Dokken arrived at Tranquebar on 26 September 1743. She departed from Tranquebar on 6 February 1744. It is not known when exactly she arrived back in Copenhagen. The DAC's share of the return cargo was sold at auction for 233,070 rigsdaler.^[2]

1754-46Dokken saluted Kronborg on 9 February 1745, marking the beginning of her second expedition to Tranquebar. She carried a cargo with a total value of 100,000 rigsdaler, consisting of silver (93,092 rigsdaler, 93 %), other metals (5,360 rigsdaler), wine and alcohol (1,532 rigsdaler) and "other goods" (16 rigsdaler).^[2]

Dokken arrived at Tranquebar on 29 December. She departed from Tranquebar on 27 February 1746. She saluted Kronborg on 16 October 1746, resulting in a total travel time of 614 days. The DAC's share of the cargo was sold at auction for 169.729 rigsdaler.^[2]

1848-49Drokken saluted Kronborg on 24 November 1747, marking the beginning of her third expedition to Tranquebar. She carried a cargo with a total value of 135,000 rigsdaler, consisting of silver (126,357, 94 %), other metals (4,529 rigsdaler), wine and alcohol (1,906 rigsdaler), ship components (1,050 rigsdaler) and "other goods" (1,158 rigsdaler).^[2]

Dokken arrived at Tranquebar on 16 August 1748. She departed from Tranquebar on 31 October 1849. On 29 April 1749, On 7 July 1840 she was finally able to continue her voyage. She saluted Kronborg on 18 June 1649, marking her return. The DAC's share of the cargo was sold at auction for 287,022 rigsdaler.^[2]

1749-51Dokken saluted Kronborg on 31 December, marking the beginning of her fourth expedition to Tranquebar.^[2]

Dokken arrived at Tranquebar on 27 February 1751. She departed from Tranquebar on 29 September 1751, bound for Copenhagen.^[2]

Fate

Dokken vanished on the way back from her fourth expedition to Tranquebar, in 1751, between the Cape of Good Hope and Eirope.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Enkeltskibser. Dokken. Danish. jmarcussen.dk. 13 November 2022.
2. Web site: Asiatisk Kompagnis handel på Indien 1732 til 1751. Danish. Marstal, Helle. dwis.dk. 2 April 2023.