The National Archives of Denmark (Rigsarkivet) has made significant progress by digitizing two million pages of Danish maritime history, making them publicly accessible. This impressive collection comprises over half a kilometer of ship logs and is now available online, allowing individuals to delve into handwritten accounts of life at sea.
Archivist Adam Jon Kronegh from the National Archives expressed enthusiasm for this advancement: “We are now providing access to maritime history in a completely new way. With just a few clicks, people across the country can explore the detailed logs from the ships,” he stated in a press release. The newly available journals offer rich information about the daily struggles of seafarers and ship captains, as well as dramatic events such as storms, diseases, and piracy.
For maritime enthusiasts and researchers, this project opens the door to uncovering new insights about the lives and experiences of sailors. “This digital initiative allows us to discover previously unknown details about many who chose life at sea. I encourage everyone to explore this unique collection,” Kronegh added.
This digitization project is part of the larger Ropewalk collaboration between the National Archives and the Danish Meteorological Institute, which will continue until 2026. The initiative has been generously supported by the A.P. Møller Foundation (A.P. Møller Fonden) with 14.25 million Danish kroner (approximately $2 million USD), enabling the unveiling of this treasure trove of maritime history.