Finally, one more trip to Brest and back with ten students and the adventure of the sailing ship ‘A958 Zenobe Gramme’ for the Navy is over. It sailed for the Navy for 63 years. Perhaps the vessel will be put up for sale (or scrapped). “But what adventures I have had on that sailboat since the mid-80s,” commander Christiaan Hellemans says.
The ‘A958 Zenobe Gramme’ was named after Belgian Zénobe Gramme, the co-inventor of the dynamo, who lived and died in Paris. The ship was delivered to the Navy in 1961 by chief engineer Frank Van Dycke, who subsequently built a smaller version for himself. The Brussels Royal Yachting Club immediately assumed godparenthood.
Final ceremony in Zeebrugge
Since then, the boat has sailed across the North Sea, the polar seas, the Mediterranean and repeatedly sailed to the United States and Canada. In fact, a farewell ceremony already took place at the Navy Days in Ostend in early July 2024, but it included an additional trip to Brest and the Zeeland islands. Later this week, in all modesty, the final farewell ceremony will take place in Zeebrugge.
Who seeks, who finds
At 29 metres long, 6.85 metres wide and 31 metres high, the ‘A958 Zenobe Gramme’ was a sizeable sailing vessel with eight (later seven) crew members and 10 apprentices. With 600 metres of mainsail, mizzen and jib, you are quite a lot. “Quaerendo Invenies” (Who seeks, who finds) is the slogan of the ship, which is a ‘Bermuda Ketch’: a ship whose aft mast is shorter than the previous one.
From 1961 to 1970, the ship was a floating research vessel. Afterwards, it became a training ship for several generations of Naval candidate officers and non-commissioned officers. Later, youngsters aged 16 to 21 were added, as the navy faced a permanent recruitment problem due to the loss of military service. And there is also flag-raising where the Belgian Navy moors an attractive ‘Zenobe Gramme’ and receives guests, as for instance at the various Tall Ships Races.
Watch
“I have been ‘retired’ from the Navy for seven years but as they are facing continuous shortages, they have engaged me ‘in reserve’ in all kinds of positions. This includes several months already in Brest with the anti-piracy command. I’m in a special niche where it comes down to operating between the military fleet and civilian ships,” commander ‘in reserve’ Christiaan Hellemans (61) tells us.
His memories of the sailboat go far back in time: “After having been just a sailor, I came aboard the ‘Zenobe Gramme’ in 1987 as a fresh petty officer for one two-month voyage. From 1993 to 1997, I was on board again, first as petty officer navigator and then for two years as second-in-command. And from 2009 to May 2013, I was commander on board the ‘Zenobe Gramme’. Afterwards, I was on watch for several months, bringing my entire period on board the ‘Zenobe Gramme’ to a total of over nine years.”
“Watchkeeping on board in wind and weather, in freezing cold and terrible heat. Standing for four hours scanning the horizon while getting seasick. I have known people who had to stand watch in very heavy weather in a sea vest and seasick. But few have complained afterwards. Of course, there are also great moments on the high seas and it is an adventurous group life. We not only saw hundreds of dolphins but also once a double waterspout, fortunately at a safe distance.”
Sylvester Stallone
“When you cross the ocean and you only have five tonnes of water, you have to be super economical with your five litres of water a day to soap, wash, brush your teeth, rinse the toothbrush and so on. Then you become very inventive and start showering in the rain, for example.”
“In 1995, when the freezer went out just beyond the Azores, we had a giant barbecue to devour the fish, meat and chicken, but then it became canned food until Bermuda. Fortunately, during a reception in the Bermudas, the Belgian ambassador allowed roast beef and scampi to be served a volonté.”
“On a trip to New York, we once found no room on Ellis Island. The commander-chef pointed one out. It was ‘Pier 17’ with the museum ships, though, and where Sylvester Stallone paraded with two women on his arms … I have also been to the Grimaldi Chapel in Monaco where normally no visitors are allowed. I saw all of Europe and the US and Canada from the water.”
Fiftieth anniversary
“Under my command, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ‘A958 Zenobe Gramme’ in the presence of most of the commanders of the ‘Zenobe Gramme’. Even Paul Benoidt, the first commander, was there. On a trip to Den Helder, as the commander myself, I suffered a stroke. In normal circumstances, that meant notifying the helicopter asap and being taken away. But in my case as a commander, that was a problem. With hitches, I was able to give my second commander the necessary instructions … in writing. Speech was out of the question. We sailed for three hours until Den Helder. Then I was taken off board and taken care of.”
Fair Isle
“The best thing under my command was that we visited Fair Isle, a small Scottish island halfway between the Shetland Islands of 2 by 4 kilometres where 101 people lived (then, now less than 60) and 1,000 sheep. It is actually a cavern that can hold up to three sailing boats. I was there with the sailing ship ‘Rupel’. With parrotfish everywhere on the rocks, we made a hefty turn to port there and there we were.”
“Your king is dead”
Former journalist Justin Gleissner also has memories of the ‘Zenobe Gramme’. In late July 1993, he returned from the sailing ship ‘Sedov’ to the sailing ship ‘Hawila’. He was staying there when he heard bad news from the cook on board the ‘Hawila’: the BBC informed him that “your king is dead” (King Baudouin, ed.). He rushed to the ‘Zenobe Gramme’ and left the flags at half mast.”
Now the flag is being lowered for the ‘Zenobe Gramme’ itself. The best parting words are from Romuald – Romu – an electrician who became second-in-command and who until the end, made this ship his home: “Many thanks to everyone who came and stayed on board. And to all future generations: if you ever get the chance to sail, do it. It’s the best way to learn.”
Author: Paul Verbraeken
