1972 Holmegaard Ship plate, the fregat Three Friends

1972 Holmegaard Ship's plate with motif of the schooner "Tre Venner" of Ærøskøbing. The motif of the plate is reproduced after a coloured drawing made by D.A. Teupken in 1844. Inscription: Skonnert Tre Venner
This two-masted topsail schoonerwas built in 1840 by the famous shipbuilder Rasmus Dyreborg, and has been described as his most beautiful ship. The owner was a joint-owned shipping firm in Ærøskøbing. As she was a fast ship, she was used in the fruit trade from the Mediterranean to the Noth Sea and the Baltic, because it was imperative that the fruit should reach its destination while still fresh. Later, she was used to carry grain to English and North European harbours, as well as sailing to Iceland. In 1849 Tre Venner took part in a very special mission. In deepest secrecy general Rye's brigade was ferried from Mols to Funen before the battle of Fredericia on July 6th. During the war 1864 the schooner was refitted and sold at the beginning of 1880 to another joint-owned shipping firm in Ærøskibing. Unfortunately for her new owners the ship was lost on 24th November 1888 near Ängelholm in Sweden. The crew escaped unhurt but the Tre Venner could not be saved.