[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S5103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN VILHELM HANSEN (1917-2000)

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I submit for the Record the 
following, written by Marshall H. Cohen, photojournalist, and honorary 
life-member of the Association of Tall Ship, The Danmark, June, 2000.

       Captain Vilhelm Hansen passed away at age 82 on May 3, 
     2000. Captain Hansen was master of the training ship the 
     Danmark for twenty-two years from 1964 until his retirement 
     in 1986. He was not only a legendary captain and educator, 
     training thousands of Danish men and women for maritime 
     careers, but also a familiar, and well-liked ambassador of 
     good will to the United States with his ready wit, his 
     unparalleled knowledge of seamanship, and his unbending 
     strong character. Whenever the Danmark anchored in various 
     East Coast ports, thousands of Americans, including members 
     of the U.S. Congress, have been welcomed on board this 
     beautiful full-rigged ship.
       Captain Hansen received many honors and awards here in the 
     United States. He has been presented with the keys to many 
     U.S. cities, among them, Baltimore. He received the Danish-
     American Society's ``Man of the Year'' award in New York City 
     in 1987, and this year (June 8, 2000) Captain Hansen 
     posthumously received the National Maritime Historical 
     Society Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Maritime 
     Education in a ceremony in Miami, Florida.
       The Danmark has played a significant role in the maritime 
     history of the United States. In 1939, the Danmark was on a 
     routine training mission to the United States when the Second 
     World War began. The Captain at that time, Knud Hansen, was 
     informed that Germany had invaded Denmark, and consequently, 
     the Danmark remained in the United States for the duration of 
     the war. The Danmark was based in New London, Connecticut, 
     and served as a training ship for U.S. sailors.
       The First Officer of the Danmark during the war was Knud 
     Langevad, and he was in charge of training more than 5,000 
     U.S. cadets. He also convinced U.S. authorities of the value 
     of learning basic seamanship on a tall ship, and following 
     the war the U.S. Coast Guard purchased its well-known tall 
     ship the U.S. Eagle, to replace the Danmark.
       Reflecting this special kinship between the two ships, the 
     Danmark sails as the first foreign ship behind the Eagle in 
     official Tall Ship Parades. It will be so honored again in 
     June and July, 2000 during the millennium voyage of tall 
     ships along the East Coast, from Miami to Boston.
       On July 4, 1986 the Danmark was honored with the number two 
     position sailing behind the Eagle during the Parade of Tall 
     Ships celebrating the 100th birthday of the Statue of 
     Liberty. It was Captain Hansen's final voyage as master of 
     the Danmark prior to his retirement that year. Captain 
     Vilhelm Hansen, in his white uniform and gold braided cap, 
     steered his 253 foot ship into the South Street Seaport, New 
     York City, for the last time. He barked his final commands to 
     the officers, switched off the auxiliary engine, and ended 
     his distinguished career during this memorable event in 
     American history.

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