Urania

Urania is primarily used for the training of naval officers (Midshipmen). During training at the Royal Naval Institute, midshipmen spend one or more weeks on board.

During this period, midshipmen are taught basic nautical knowledge and skills. However, the focus is mainly on character building; words such as seamanship, cooperation, responsibility and trust are central on board Zr.Ms. Urania.

Name
The Royal Netherlands Navy has had a training ship named Urania since 1830. This name comes from Greek mythology where Urania is referred to as the daughter of Zeus and the muse of astronomy. The coat of arms displays a celestial sphere with the signs of the zodiac and the Latin slogan "Caveo non timeo. An appropriate name for naval officers in training, as it means "Vigilant, yet not fearful.

Rebuild
Although the ship underwent extensive renovations in 2004, the beautiful sailing ship still looks authentic and retains details of the original Urania. In 2012/2013, the ship had her final re-fit. The Urania sails annually with various events, including SAIL Amsterdam.

History
The original Sr. Ms. Urania dates from 1928 and was built as a private yacht by the Haarlemsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij. It was a schooner with originally a "wishbone" rigging which after a year was changed to a gaff-schoener rig with square foresail. The Navy purchased the ship just before the outbreak of World War II and put her into active service as Sr. Ms. Urania in 1938. In May 1940, the ship was seized by the Germans and used to train aspiring officers of the German Navy. The ship was recovered after the war and returned to the Netherlands in 1946. Since then, the ship has sailed for naval officers in training. In 1957 the current Bermuda kits rigging was introduced, meaning that the foremast is longer than the aft mast, the rudder stock is located behind the mizzen mast and the area of the mizzen is at least 60% of that of the mainsail. After an accident involving a hole in the hull, the ship was totally rebuilt and returned to service in 2004.