LOST KOBENHAVN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17239, 21 April 1930, Page 7

LOST KOBENHAVN

NEW THEORY ADVANCED DISABLED IN ICE FIELD LONDON, April 19. A young Australian journalist, Mr. A. J. Villiers, who lias been round the world in sailing vessels, advances a new theory for the disappearance of the Danish cadet ship Kobenhavn. Mr. Villiers lias been corresponding with the lay missionary Mr. Lindsay, and asserts that lie has full confidence in the latter’s story of having) seen the ship heading for tho rocks on Tristan da Cunlia. The Australian stated that ho believes the Kobenhavn struck ice in the South Atlantic, and shipped water alarmingly, upon which the cadet crew took off in tho boats, attempting to keep close to tho sailing tin]), but becamo separated from her and were lost, while the currents swept the Kobenhavn across the South Atlantic to the reefs of the island, where she was smashed to kindling wood. Mr. Villiers also stated: “Anyone knowing these parts as I do would readily understand that tho cliffs of Tristan might grind a hundred ships and leavo nothing but a splinter or two of matchwood.

Since her disappearance nearly 18 months ago, the fate of the Danish sailing vessel Kobenhavn has boon an intriguing mystery; nothing hut rumor has been hoard of her. The Kobenhavn visited Australia in 1926, arriving at Port Adelaide on December 6 of that year, after a fine voyage from tho Lizard in 67 days, and from Copenhagen in 74 days. The performance is worthy to rank with the fastest of the old-time clippers, her host day’s run during that voyage being 305 miles, During a previous voyage, the first to Australia—the 1926 journey being the second—a serious fire occurred under tho poop, and the barque had to put into Plymouth for repairs. Tho skipper, Captain Christiansen, with his officers and crow, after a great deal of anxiety, wore successful in subduing the blaze, mainly as a result of the skill in fire-fighting exhibited by the chief mate, Mr. Andersen. After receiving repairs at Plymouth, the vessel proceeded on her voyage to Australia. The Kobenhavn was built by Ram age and Ferguson, of Leith, in 1921, her owners being tho East Asiatic, Company of Copenhagen. The vessel, which .was built of steel, had a gross tonnage of 3901, length of 368 ft. 9in., a beam of 49Tt, oin., and a, depth of hold of 26ft. 9>n. She was used ns a training sliip hv the Danish Adinirnlity, paying her way by carriage of freight. Auxiliary Diesel enables, four-stroke single acting four-evlinder, by Burmeister and Wain, Conenhapvui, were fitted aboard, hut these olivines were only used for going in or out. of harbor, or in a flnl calm with no swell. Her crew consisted of captain, three mates. s a. Royal Naval lieutenant as instructor, a snilrnaker, some 60 to 70 l>oys, with two engineers and (lie usual complement, of cooks, etc. Tt was remarkable that she did not carry a- boatswain or any A.B.’s; nil the work was done hv the bovs. The latter were splendidly housed amid shins, and the officers had excellent quarters aft.