Nearly five decades after the sinking of theTitanic, another tragedy struck in the oceans.
Like theRMS Titanic, she too was deemed the safest afloat.
MS Hans Hedtoftwas built by Frederikshavns Vrft at Frederikshavn in northern Denmark.
It was equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, ranging from radar and gyrocompasses to Decca Navigators and radio-equipped life rafts.
Nonetheless, not everyone held faith in the ship’s construction.
In Greenland, Hans Hedtoft called at Nuuk, Sisimiut and Maniitsoq before returning to Julianehaab.
On 29 January, she began her return journey to Copenhagen.
Its position was given as approximately 20 miles south east of Greenlands most southerly part, Kap Farvel.
Within an hour, another message was sent stating that the engine room was flooded.
At 15:12 pm, a message came from the ship informing that the ship was sinking.
Another German fishing trawler radioed that she was on the way.
At 17:41 came the final message from theHedtoft: “Slowly sinking and need immediate assistance.”
In addition, it had two 20-man lifeboats and four self-inflated rudder life rafts with automatic distress beacons.
It was possible to evacuate the entire ship, yet for some reason, no lifeboats were deployed.
Perhaps they had hoped help would arrive.
MS Hans Hedtoftremains the last known ship sunk by an iceberg with casualties.
