Inside the 111yo mystery Finnish shipwreck found off WA coast

An 111-year-old mystery has finally been solved after the last resting place of a missing ship was discovered off the coast of Western Australia.

111yo mystery ship found off coast of Western Australia.

The mysterious final resting place of Finnish-owned sailing ship Glenbank has finally been solved, after going missing more than a century ago.

Divers made the incredible discovery off the coast of Western Australia after the ship went missing during a massive cyclone in 1911.

One seaman survived, a 22-year-old Finnish man by the name of Antti Ketola, who was rescued after swimming to a nearby island.

Shipwreck Hunters Australia recently discovered the site of the Glenbank – 111 years since it disappeared – and reported the find to Western Australian Museum.

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The ‘Glenbank’ docked in an unidentified port. Picture: State Library of South Australia

The Museum’s maritime archaeologists then brought their expertise to the discovery and ultimately confirmed it was in fact the missing Glenbank ship.

Johnny Debnam of Shipwreck Hunters Australia, together with Kevin Deacon, Luke Leech, Justin Leech and Tom Radley, were part of a group of local fisherman who first found the remote, deep water site of the shipwreck.

Captain of the Glenbank Federik Moberg. Picture: The Museum of Usikaupunki

“We were incredibly excited when we first discovered the ship,” Mr Debnam, who is also part of Shipwreck Hunters Australia, said.

“After undertaking a full survey, diving and filming the huge wreck-site, abundant with sharks, turtles, dolphins and other marine life, the team was able to interpret pivotal evidence from the seabed, along with a deep dive into the archives, to help piece together the ship’s incredible story.”

Glenbank crew. Picture: Rauma Maritime Museum

What happened to the ship

In November 1910, the steel barque Glenbank arrived at Balla Balla, WA.

It had been chartered by Whim Well Copper Mines Ltd to transport copper ore from Balla Balla to the UK.

The ship’s crew was made up of 20 members, including Russians, Norwegians and Fins and was led by Captain Fredrik Moberg.

However, after setting sail for England in 1911, the Glenbank hit a ferocious storm off the coast, causing it to sink.

According to Shipwreck Hunters and following extensive research, it has been determined unsecured cargo of copper ore shifted during the storm and destroyed the hull and deck – causing it to capsize.

The shipwreck was discovered off the coast of WA. Picture: Shipwreck Hunters Australia

“The discovery of Glenbank is very significant in helping tell the tale of global trade at the turn of the century and giving a voice to those who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day in 1911,” maritime archaeologist Dr Deb Shefi from Western Australian Museum said.

She said it’s not often they find a silhouette of a ship, with the masts aligned, resting on the sea floor like this.

“The unseasonably good weather meant Glenbank was ready to shed its secrets and we were able to record measurements and details that will assist further research into this tragic shipwreck,” Dr Shefi said.

The 73m sailing ship went missing during a massive cyclone in 1911.

The 22-year-old Finnish seaman who managed to get to safety on Legendre Island was stranded there for three days, surviving on raw shellfish. He was eventually rescued by the pearling lugger Pearl and taken to Cossack, WA.

The Shipwreck Hunters Australia team was able to track down Mr Ketola’s descendants in Finland who had no idea about their ancestor’s incredible shipwreck story.

“Whenever he [Antti Ketola] lived here in Finland, there were no stories about it, and he never talked about it, so it has been totally hidden what has happened to Antti,” Matti Latva-Panula, grandson of the lone Glenbank survivor, now in his 80s, said.

“From now on the story is going to live in the family. All the children and grandchildren will know about it.”

The discovery of the Glenbank shipwreck is documented in episode one of the Disney+ Original series, Shipwreck Hunters Australia, which premiered this week on the streaming platform.