The Sea Captain Himanka Apartment

Located next to Langin Kauppahuone, at Cortenkatu 13, this house is known in Raahe as Himanka House. Its name carries with it the story of great sailing ships, distant harbours and the age of sea captains.

The apartment comfortably accommodates 1–4 guests. Although the apartment has its own kitchen, the day begins effortlessly and deliciously, as breakfast is served next door at Langin Kauppahuone.

The house’s best-known resident was Johan Himanka, a sea captain from Raahe who lived from 1858 to 1929. Himanka served as captain of the barque Altai from 1899 to 1902.

In September 1901, Altai set out on her final voyage from Newport towards Tamatave, Madagascar. The ship sailed with a cargo of briquettes through changing weather and sea areas. In the Bristol Channel she was helped by favourable currents; by the latitudes of Lisbon the air had grown warmer, and after passing Madeira she reached the trade winds. The crew could pack their woollen clothes into their sea chests, for in the tropics they were no longer needed.

The voyage from Newport to the coast of Madagascar lasted 117 days. When the pilot of Tamatave came aboard, the captain could, for a moment, breathe a sigh of relief. They had arrived. But the relief was short-lived. Despite being guided by the local pilot, Altai struck an underwater coral reef with such force that splinters of wood were left in her wake. Water began to pour in, the ship started to list, and the crew had to move into the lifeboats. Altai remained forever on the coral reef of Madagascar.

Johan Himanka took care of his crew and arranged temporary accommodation for them in Tamatave, in a former missionary residence. For two weeks, the men from the north lodged in Madagascar before their journey home could be arranged.

Himanka is remembered as a tall, handsome, bearded and steadfast captain, whose word was law aboard ship. His voice was said to be so powerful that it could compete with the roar of a storm. When Altai had run aground on the reef, the pilot received the full force of the captain’s displeasure, expressed with the full vocabulary of a seasoned seafarer.

The story also has a curious turn. In Madagascar, the local people marvelled at the fair-haired, imposing captain, who gave his orders in a carrying voice and bore himself like a ruler. One day, a delegation came to Himanka with a request: would the captain agree to become their emperor?

The captain asked what duties an emperor would have. He was told that there would be no need to do anything other than sit with a silk hat on his head and dispense justice. Himanka, however, declined the honour, although it is said that he later came to regret his decision a little.

In the apartment of Sea Captain Himanka’s House, guests stay in the midst of this story: surrounded by memories of Raahe’s sailing-ship era, distant sea voyages and one remarkable captain. The house invites you to linger in peace — like a safe harbour after a long journey.