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Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we set sail back to March 24, 1921, when the largest civilian sailing ship ever built in the British Isles—the five-masted barque København—was launched from the shipyards of Ramage & Ferguson in Leith. This majestic vessel would later become the center of one of the greatest maritime mysteries when she vanished without a trace in 1928. And if you're curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

In the early 20th century, even as steamships dominated the seas, the allure and practicality of sailing ships had not entirely waned. The Danish East Asiatic Company sought to combine the romanticism of sail with modern needs by commissioning a vessel that could serve both as a cargo carrier and a training ship for cadets. The result was the København, a ship that, upon her completion, stood as a testament to maritime engineering.

Constructed in the renowned shipyards of Ramage & Ferguson in Leith, Scotland, the København was launched on March 24, 1921. She measured an impressive 430 feet in length and had a gross tonnage of 3,965 tons, making her the largest sailing ship built in the British Isles at that time. Her five towering masts, each reaching nearly 20 stories high, supported a sail area of 56,000 square feet. Beyond her sails, she was equipped with an auxiliary diesel engine, reflecting a blend of traditional sailing prowess and modern innovation.

The primary mission of the København was to train young cadets for the Danish merchant marine. She embarked on numerous voyages across the globe, visiting nearly every continent and completing two full circumnavigations. These journeys provided invaluable real-world experience to aspiring officers, all while transporting cargo that helped offset operational costs.

In September 1928, the København set out on what would become her final voyage. Departing from Nørresundby, Denmark, she carried a crew of 26 and 45 cadets, all eager for the experiences that lay ahead. After unloading cargo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she departed for Australia on December 14, 1928. Her last confirmed communication was on December 22, when she reported being approximately 900 miles from Tristan da Cunha, with all on board reported as well.

When months passed without further word from the København, concerns escalated. The Danish East Asiatic Company dispatched search missions, and even the British Royal Navy joined the efforts. Despite extensive searches covering vast oceanic expanses and remote islands, no trace of the ship or her crew was ever found.

The disappearance of the København has since become one of maritime history's enduring enigmas. Various theories have been proposed, including a sudden collision with an iceberg or a catastrophic event leading to a rapid sinking. However, in the absence of concrete evidence, the fate of the København and her crew remains a haunting mystery.

The legacy of the København serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who venture into the vast oceans. Her story underscores the bravery of the sailors and cadets who embarked on voyages into the unknown, driven by a spirit of adventure and a commitment to mastering the seas.

Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you've been captivated by the tale of the København—a ship that once symbolized maritime grandeur and now stands as an enduring mystery. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland's remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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