MYSTERY OF THE KOBENHAVN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

MYSTERY OF THE KOBENHAVN

, ' THE PHANTOM BARQUE Iu these days of fast and luxurious sea travel, when modern liners have reduced the crossing of oceans from months to ft few days, one is apt to think that sea mysteries, such as disappearing ships and their crews aro things of the past. That this is nofc entirely the easo is proved by the mystery of the barque Kobenhavm On December 14, 1928, tho Danish five-masted barque Kobenhavn left Buenos Aires, South America, with 45 cadets, sons of the highest families in Denmark, on board. Also, among her mixed cargo was some petrol. A few wireless messages were received from her after leaving Buenos Aires, and several vessels sighted her. Then, silence from her wireless, and she was not sighted again. Months passed, and the Kobenhavn was reported overdue. All ships kept a vain lookout for her. Some months later there came a story from Tristan da Cunha, a small island in the South Atlantic, telling of u five-masted barque which had been seen drifting near the island, partially burnt and apparently deserted. The suggestion that tins was the Kobenhavn was scoffed at by the " know-alls," who declared it to be the phantom barque, sometimes seen in that vicinity. Four years passed with no further news. Then a heavy sea washed the burned remains of a large sailing vessel ashore at St. Ilelena Bay, near Capetown. So far as I know this wreckage was not identified. And now comes the news from Denmark that tho parents of the cadets are sending an expedition to search tho South Atlantic near Tristan da Cnnha, in the hope that the crew, of the Kobenhavn are living an on uncharted island. If this is so, their story will probably liken that of Bobinson Crusoe, of undying fame. At any rate, let us wish the expedition every possible success! —By Clifford Furnies, Torchapc, Kaihere, via, Morrinsvillo, (Af;ed 15.)