Built in 1922 in Denmark of Danish oak frames, Svanen traded as a grain carrier between Denmark and Greenland for the Tuborg Beer Company until 1969.
She was purchased in then as a private vessel and extensively refitted to make extensive ocean voyages, including service as a sail training vessel with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
Svanen participated in the 1982 Tall Ships Race from Philadelphia to Portugal.
In 1986 after appearing at the World Expo in Vancouver, Svanen sailed to England to join the Australian Bicentennial First Fleet Re-Enactment for the historic voyage to Sydney.