(Henrik) Kurt Carlsen (20 February 1914 – 7 October 1989) was a Danish-born sea-captain who became world-famous in January 1952 when he stayed on his sinking freighter, the Flying Enterprise, for 13 days.[1] It eventually sank less than 60 kilometres (37 mi) from safe harbour at Falmouth, Cornwall in England, minutes after the Captain was forced to abandon ship. The endeavour was reported around the world, and Carlsen received a ticker-tape parade in New York City on January 17, 1952. A few months later Carlsen took command of the Flying Enterprise II, passing up lucrative offers from Hollywood.[2]
It is now believed that the Flying Enterprise was hit not once but twice by a rogue wave thereby eventually sinking the freighter.[3]
Carlsen became a seaman at age 14 and master of his first ship at 22, in the service of the Danish-American company American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. He was an amateur radio operator with callsign W2ZXM.[4]
Carlsen, and his ordeal aboard the Flying Enterprise, is the subject of the book Simple Courage: a True Story of Peril on the Sea by Frank Delaney.
Carlsen received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Award, authorized by a special act of Congress.[1][5] On January 10, 2012, the Captain Carlsen Park in Sewaren,(Woodbridge Township) NJ was rededicated to the heroic efforts of Captain Carlsen. A monument was installed at the park which was donated by Shipco Transport Inc. a New Jersey transportation services company. A contingent of Danish visitors were present along with the Captain Carlsen's daughters.[6]
Referencesedit
^ ab"Henrik K. Carlsen, 75, A Heroic Sea Captain" "New York Times", 9 Oct 1989 [1]
^"Heroic Captain to Get Medal" "The Sacramento Bee", 5 Jun 1953
^"Memorial Plaque Unveiled at Captain Carlsen Park" "Woodbridge Township" [2] 2012-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
External linksedit
Flying Enterprise
Newsreel story of Captain Kurt Carlsen and the Flying Enterprise on YouTube
May 01, 2024
kurt, carlsen, danish, composer, henrik, carlsen, henrik, february, 1914, october, 1989, danish, born, captain, became, world, famous, january, 1952, when, stayed, sinking, freighter, flying, enterprise, days, eventually, sank, less, than, kilometres, from, sa. For the Danish composer see Henrik Carlsen Henrik Kurt Carlsen 20 February 1914 7 October 1989 was a Danish born sea captain who became world famous in January 1952 when he stayed on his sinking freighter the Flying Enterprise for 13 days 1 It eventually sank less than 60 kilometres 37 mi from safe harbour at Falmouth Cornwall in England minutes after the Captain was forced to abandon ship The endeavour was reported around the world and Carlsen received a ticker tape parade in New York City on January 17 1952 A few months later Carlsen took command of the Flying Enterprise II passing up lucrative offers from Hollywood 2 Kurt Carlsen 1953 The listing Flying Enterprise upper left as seen from the USNS General A W Greely T AP 141 c December 29 1951 It is now believed that the Flying Enterprise was hit not once but twice by a rogue wave thereby eventually sinking the freighter 3 Carlsen became a seaman at age 14 and master of his first ship at 22 in the service of the Danish American company American Export Isbrandtsen Lines He was an amateur radio operator with callsign W2ZXM 4 Carlsen and his ordeal aboard the Flying Enterprise is the subject of the book Simple Courage a True Story of Peril on the Sea by Frank Delaney Carlsen received the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Award authorized by a special act of Congress 1 5 On January 10 2012 the Captain Carlsen Park in Sewaren Woodbridge Township NJ was rededicated to the heroic efforts of Captain Carlsen A monument was installed at the park which was donated by Shipco Transport Inc a New Jersey transportation services company A contingent of Danish visitors were present along with the Captain Carlsen s daughters 6 References edit a b Henrik K Carlsen 75 A Heroic Sea Captain New York Times 9 Oct 1989 1 History Channel Deep Sea Detectives Captain s Last Stand Season 5 Episode 8 24 April 2005 History Channel Rogue Waves part 4 on YouTube Maritime Mobile QSL Card W2ZXM MM Heroic Captain to Get Medal The Sacramento Bee 5 Jun 1953 Memorial Plaque Unveiled at Captain Carlsen Park Woodbridge Township 2 Archived 2012 07 18 at the Wayback MachineExternal links editFlying Enterprise Newsreel story of Captain Kurt Carlsen and the Flying Enterprise on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kurt Carlsen amp oldid 1154891372, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
