Unearthed Old‑Sailors: 19th‑Century Coal Ships Strike in MH370 Search
In a twist of fate, the hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 turned up two very different surprises on the remote Southern Ocean floor: the wrecks of two coal‑laden merchant ships that date back to the 1800s.
What the Search Really Discovered
- Wreck #1: A wooden sailboat that carried a cargo of coal, now reduced to rusted copper fittings, an iron water tank, and the ghost of its wooden hull.
- Wreck #2: An iron ship, remarkably upright, still boasting at least two decks and readable portholes on the stern.
Both vessels were up for a smooth, if median, sea‑journey, but catastrophically ended up on the seabed, a bit like a time‑warp karaoke of the 19th‑century maritime world.
Why You’d Think of a Treasure Chest (And Why It Wasn’t)
At first glance, a six‑metre‑long metal rectangle made everyone feel a little giddy, dreaming of buried pirate gold. Turns out it was simply the ship’s iron water tank – a sturdy lifesaver, not a loot chest.
Who Were These Old‑Time Crew Members?
Back then, a coal ship typically sailed with a crew of 15 to 30 men, sometimes accompanied by a captain’s family or a few passengers. Picture it: a cramped ship, a hot coalfire, and an entire crew hauling 239 tonnes of ore.
Pinpointing the Secret Identities
- Possible wooden vessels: W Gordon (Glasgow → Adelaide, 1876) or Magdala (Penarth → Ternate, 1876).
- Likely iron ship: West Ridge (1883) out of a shortlist that includes Kooringa (1894) and Lake Ontario (1897).
Catastrophic Sinking: The Coal Connection
The consensus? A big, bad explosion or a worst‑case coal fire likely wrecked these vessels. Coal transport was a risky business—imagine a portable volcano on the high seas.
What the Search Means for MH370
Despite the treasure hunt stumbles, the bigger mystery remains unsolved. The Malaysia Airlines plane vanished in 2014, leaving behind a massive void in the Southern Ocean. The search terms up to 3,900 meters deep have found nothing but history.
Ending Note
So while the Southern Ocean turned out to be a dumping ground for some forgotten 19th‑Century coal sympathizers, the quest for the missing jet has yet to reveal any hidden secrets. Keep your eyes peeled—maybe the next find will be a flying saucer or at least a rusty metal jellyfish.
