This week's hero is...
Kurt Carlsen
Kurt Carlsen was born on February 20, 1914 in Denmark. He became a sea captain and was placed in command of the SS Flying Enterprise, a simple cargo freighter. It seemed like a pretty uneventful job to many people. However, one day proved to be unlike any other. It was one that would test Captain Carlsen in a way he never could have predicted.
On the night of Christmas in 1951, the Flying Enterprise was steaming from Germany to the New York City. All seemed well until the ship was caught in a terrible storm while off the coast of England. During the storm, the Flying Enterprise was struck by a massive rogue wave. The impact of the wave caused the freighter to crack amidship. This crack along with the ship's own shifting cargo, caused it to list 45 degrees to port. By December 28, it became clear the ship was sinking. Carlsen quickly sent out an SOS.
Within hours, rescue ships responded and took off the 40 crew members and 10 passengers from the Flying Enterprise. To everyone's astonishment, Captain Carlsen refused to evacuate the stricken freighter. Instead he returned to his cabin and radioed to that he intended to stay aboard as long as the ship was still afloat. Despite knowing that the listing freighter could plunge beneath the sea at any moment, Captain Carlsen was determined to try and save his ship.
For the next two weeks, Captain Carlsen remained aboard the Flying Enterprise. He used a makeshift radio to maintain contact with rescue ships. His plan was to get a tug boat to tow the stricken ship into the British port of Falmouth in order to salvage the cargo. When Carlsen wasn't coordinating the salvage operation he scavenged for food and water throughout the listing ship (while it was being pounded by waves). He even continued to manage the ship's log. After about a week, Carlsen was joined by another sailor from a tug. The two then secured a tow line to the bow of the Flying Enterprise.
Despite the best efforts of Carlsen and the rescue tugs, it became clear that the Flying Enterprise could not be towed nor saved from its inevitable sinking. At 3 PM on January 10 of 1952, Captain Carlsen and his companion jumped from the ship (now almost completely on its side) into the sea and were picked up by a tug. An hour later, the SS Flying Enterprise finally slipped beneath the waves.
Although Captain Carlsen had failed to save his ship, he found (to his astonishment) a hero's welcome awaiting him when he reached Falmouth. When he arrived in New York City, he was greeted with a parade on January 17. Captain Kurt Carlsen received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Award from Congress. Within days he returned to his job to captain another ship (Flying Enterprise II). He continued to work as a sea captain for the rest of his life. He died on October 7, 1989.
The heroism of Captain Kurt Carlsen is a great example for all those who command vessels on the high seas. He showed an enormous amount of responsibility and dedication to his job even at the risk of his own life. He is definitely someone to be held in high regard.
On the night of Christmas in 1951, the Flying Enterprise was steaming from Germany to the New York City. All seemed well until the ship was caught in a terrible storm while off the coast of England. During the storm, the Flying Enterprise was struck by a massive rogue wave. The impact of the wave caused the freighter to crack amidship. This crack along with the ship's own shifting cargo, caused it to list 45 degrees to port. By December 28, it became clear the ship was sinking. Carlsen quickly sent out an SOS.
Within hours, rescue ships responded and took off the 40 crew members and 10 passengers from the Flying Enterprise. To everyone's astonishment, Captain Carlsen refused to evacuate the stricken freighter. Instead he returned to his cabin and radioed to that he intended to stay aboard as long as the ship was still afloat. Despite knowing that the listing freighter could plunge beneath the sea at any moment, Captain Carlsen was determined to try and save his ship.
For the next two weeks, Captain Carlsen remained aboard the Flying Enterprise. He used a makeshift radio to maintain contact with rescue ships. His plan was to get a tug boat to tow the stricken ship into the British port of Falmouth in order to salvage the cargo. When Carlsen wasn't coordinating the salvage operation he scavenged for food and water throughout the listing ship (while it was being pounded by waves). He even continued to manage the ship's log. After about a week, Carlsen was joined by another sailor from a tug. The two then secured a tow line to the bow of the Flying Enterprise.
Despite the best efforts of Carlsen and the rescue tugs, it became clear that the Flying Enterprise could not be towed nor saved from its inevitable sinking. At 3 PM on January 10 of 1952, Captain Carlsen and his companion jumped from the ship (now almost completely on its side) into the sea and were picked up by a tug. An hour later, the SS Flying Enterprise finally slipped beneath the waves.
Although Captain Carlsen had failed to save his ship, he found (to his astonishment) a hero's welcome awaiting him when he reached Falmouth. When he arrived in New York City, he was greeted with a parade on January 17. Captain Kurt Carlsen received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Award from Congress. Within days he returned to his job to captain another ship (Flying Enterprise II). He continued to work as a sea captain for the rest of his life. He died on October 7, 1989.
The heroism of Captain Kurt Carlsen is a great example for all those who command vessels on the high seas. He showed an enormous amount of responsibility and dedication to his job even at the risk of his own life. He is definitely someone to be held in high regard.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/06/opinion/the-captain-who-stayed-aboard.html
http://portsidenewyork.org/portsidetanke/2012/01/captain-who-stayed-with-his-ship.html
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19530605&id=MS9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H-YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5990,1778702
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19530605&id=MS9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H-YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5990,1778702
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