Into Thin Air: The Kobenhavn Mystery

Oceanliner Designs・2 minutes read

The Cin Howen, a Danish ship that disappeared in 1928, remains a compelling maritime mystery, with no trace of the ship or its crew of 60 ever found despite extensive search efforts and sightings of possible wreckage and a ghost ship. The ship's disappearance during a voyage from Buenos Aires to Australia sparked speculation about a tragic end, possibly due to a collision with an iceberg on the risky Clipper route towards Australia.

Insights

  • The Cin Howen, a Danish ship that disappeared in 1928, remains a compelling maritime mystery due to its advanced features, disappearance during a voyage from Buenos Aires to Australia, and lack of conclusive evidence regarding its fate.
  • The Clipper route taken by the Cin Howen towards Australia was risky but allowed for quicker voyages by navigating the Roaring 40s trade winds, showcasing the challenges and dangers faced by ships during that era, potentially leading to tragic outcomes like collisions with icebergs.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Skeleton Coast known for?

    Shipwrecks and treacherous shores.

  • What was the Cin Howen used for?

    Training Danish Merchant Navy Cadets.

  • What happened to the Cin Howen in 1928?

    Disappeared during a voyage to Australia.

  • What route did the Cin Howen take to Australia?

    Clipper route south towards Antarctica.

  • What fueled speculation about the fate of the Cin Howen?

    Sightings of a ghost ship and wreckage.

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Summary

00:00

Mystery of the Lost Danish Ship

  • The Skeleton Coast in Namibia is known for its treacherous shores and numerous shipwrecks.
  • In 1935, human remains were discovered on the coast, leading to a mystery linked to a Danish ship, the Cin Howen.
  • The Cin Howen was a massive sailing ship used as a training vessel for Danish Merchant Navy Cadets.
  • Built in 1921, the Cin Howen was equipped with modern safety features and a Burmeister and Wayne diesel engine for propulsion.
  • The ship's advanced features included watertight compartments, a wireless radio, and traditional figureheads for good luck.
  • The Cin Howen could carry cargo in addition to training cadets, making it a versatile vessel for the East Asiatic Company.
  • The ship's arrival in various ports, like South Australia in 1924, garnered attention and admiration from locals.
  • Life aboard the Cin Howen for cadets and crew involved daily activities like seamanship lessons, sail rigging, and maintaining the ship.
  • In 1928, the Cin Howen disappeared during a voyage from Buenos Aires to Australia, never to be seen again.
  • The mystery of the Cin Howen's disappearance, along with its crew of 60, remains one of the most compelling maritime mysteries in history.

16:07

Mystery of Lost Clipper Ship to Australia

  • The Clipper route took Corbin Howen south to capture the Roaring 40s trade winds towards Australia, a journey lasting over 60 days.
  • The route was risky but allowed for quicker voyages to Australia by sailing further south towards Antarctica.
  • Corbin Howen communicated with a steamer in the South Atlantic Ocean on December 21, 1928, but never arrived in Adelaide.
  • Concern grew as the ship failed to reach Australia, with relatives sending Christmas mail ahead of its arrival.
  • The East Asiatic company reassured families that delays were common due to storms, ice, or lack of wind.
  • A missionary reported seeing a distressed five-masted bark near Tristan da Cunha, prompting a search effort.
  • Despite extensive searches by multiple ships, no trace of Corbin Howen was found, leading to its official listing as lost at sea.
  • Sightings of a ghost ship and wreckage possibly from Corbin Howen fueled speculation about its fate.
  • Discoveries of skeletons in Namibia and a lifeboat hinted at a tragic end, possibly due to a collision with an iceberg on the Clipper route.
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