København (ship)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Denmark
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| Name: | København |
| Namesake: | Copenhagen |
| Owner: | East Asiatic Company |
| Builder: | Ramage & Ferguson, Leith, Scotland |
| Yard number: | 242 |
| Laid down: | 1913 |
| Completed: | 24 March 1921 |
| Fate: | Disappeared after 22 December 1928 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Five-masted barque |
| Tonnage: | 3,965 GRT |
| Length: | 430 ft (130 m) o/a |
| Propulsion: | Auxiliary diesel engine |
| Sail plan: |
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| Crew: | 26 crew and 45 cadets |
København was a Danish five-masted barque used as a naval training vessel until its disappearance after December 22, 1928. Built for the Danish East Asiatic Company in 1921, it was the world's largest sailing ship at the time, and primarily served for sail training of young cadets.
The København was last heard from on December 21, 1928 while en route from Buenos Aires to Australia. When it became clear the ship was missing, a lengthy search ensued, but turned up no trace. The disappearance has become one of the greatest maritime mysteries of the modern era, and led to much speculation about the ship's ultimate fate.
The København was built by the firm of Ramage and Ferguson at Leith in Scotland (number 256), begun in 1913 but not completed until March 24, 1921. It was constructed for the Danish East Asiatic Company as a sail training ship. Known as the "Big Dane", it was the largest sailing ship in the world when completed. It was 430 feet (131 metres) long and grossed 3,965 tons; its five masts stood nearly 20 stories high with sails spanning a total of 56,000 square feet (5,202 square metres). It had an auxiliary diesel motor as well as a wireless transmitter. The figurehead was a carving of a helmeted Bishop Absalon.
Primarily intended for training young cadets seeking an officer's license, the ship offset some of its costs by carrying limited amounts of cargo on its voyages. Baron Nils Juel-Brockdorff oversaw the ship's construction and subsequently served as its first captain. From 1921 to 1928 the ship made nine voyages, visiting nearly every continent and completing two circumnavigations.
On September 21, 1928, the København departed from Nørresundby in Northern Jutland for Buenos Aires on its tenth, and ultimately final, voyage. The captain was Hans Andersen; 75 persons were aboard, including 26 crew and 45 cadets. The goal was to unload a shipload of chalk and bagged cement in Buenos Aires, take on another load of cargo and sail for Melbourne, and then bring a shipment of Australian wheat back to Europe.
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Wikipedia