1st four-masted barque "Peking", Hamburg
The "Peking" was one of the last large cargo sailing ships that could compete with steamships at the beginning of the 20th century due to its speed and reliability. Built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg in 1910, she was one of the last large Flying P-Liners of the Hamburg shipping company F. Laeisz. The steel four-masted barque has been back in her home port since 2020. Prior to that, she spent more than forty years as a museum ship in New York. From April to October, she can be visited at Bremen's quay in the Hansa harbour as part of guided tours of the construction site. The one-hour guided tours take place Wednesdays to Fridays (10:00 - 16:00) and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (10:00 - 16:30). Bookings can be made online or by telephone.
On certain days, you can even try your hand at breasting and crank the historic breasting winches to get a feel for the forces that sailors had to deal with in earlier times. Dates can be found on the website of the German Harbour Museum. Places are limited to 12 participants. It is not possible to make a reservation.
The German Harbour Museum around Shed 50 A is dedicated to the multifaceted significance of the port as a special interface. A new building is to be erected in the Grasbrook district over the next few years. This is also where the PEKING will be permanently moored.
In the harbour workshop, you can learn the basic skills of blacksmithing, sailmaking, netmaking and rigging in seminars lasting several days.
Address: German Harbour Museum Head Building Shed 50A, Australiastrasse, 20457 Hamburg, Tel.: 040-428137130. www.shmh.de
2. deep-sea submersible "U-995", Laboe
The 85 metre high tower of the naval memorial in Laboe dominates the face of Kiel's outer fjord. Two lifts or 341 steps lead up to a viewing platform from which you can enjoy a unique panoramic view. Originally built as a memorial to the fallen of the Imperial Navy in the First World War, it is now a memorial to those of all nations who remained at sea. The complex also includes the underground memorial hall, the historical hall with numerous ship models and other exhibits relating to naval and maritime history.
Since 1972, the deep-sea submersible "U 995" has been a technical museum on the beach in front of the naval memorial. Built by Blohm & Voss in September 1943, the type VII C/41 boat was mainly used in the North Sea against convoys and outgoing convoys and security forces until it was decommissioned on 8 May 1945 in Drontheim, Norway. Until it was donated to the German Navy in 1965 as a sign of reconciliation, it was used by the Norwegian Navy in coastal defence and as a training boat.
Address: Strandstr. 92, 24235 Laboe, Tel.: 04343-49484962. www.deutscher-marinebund.de
3rd paddle steamer "Hohentwiel", Lake Constance
It has survived crowned heads, two world wars, economic crises and the triumph of motorboats. For more than a hundred years, the Hohentwiel has connected the past, the future and three countries on Lake Constance. The historic steam engine in the Blue Salon and the huge paddle wheels behind the portholes attract everyone's attention. The side-wheel saloon steamer has been travelling the entire lake at a maximum speed of 16.7 knots since 1913. Formerly the state yacht of the King of Württemberg, she now serves as a tour and excursion steamer.
Address: Hafenstrasse 15, 6971 Hard (Austria). www.dampfschiff-hohentwiel.de
4th general cargo vessel "Dresden", Rostock
The most impressive exhibit at the shipping museum in Rostock is the MS Dresden. This steel giant is the only surviving example of the Type 4, which was also known as the "Frieden". From 1957, fifteen of these 10,000-tonne freighters were built at the GDR shipyards for the Deutsche Seereederei Rostock and the country's global maritime trade. The Dresden has been used as a museum ship since 1970 and is part of the Rostock Shipbuilding and Maritime Museum. With more than 12,000 exhibits and various hands-on stations, visitors can experience the development of shipbuilding from Slavic dugout canoes to the computer-controlled production of modern large shipyards. Visitors can learn all about shipbuilding in the GDR, the operational processes of a shipyard and the history of maritime radio and navigation. The original engine room, the bridge, the radio station, the ship's hospital and the crew cabins take visitors on a journey through time and give an impression of everyday working life on board in the 1950s and 1960s. The open-air exhibition in the IGA Park also contains numerous other maritime artefacts. In addition to the sea mark path, there are several ships and a hoisting crane to marvel at.
The special exhibition "Mystery of the Deep Sea" offers exciting stories and objects relating to the discovery of the deep sea by humans. Visitors can expect adventurous expedition reports and an interactive station on modern research techniques. One highlight is the model of the "Nautilus" from Jules Verne's fantastic descriptions of the mysterious depths. Due to high demand, the special exhibition has been extended until September.
Address: Schmarl-Dorf 40, 18106 Rostock, Tel.: 0381-12831364. www.schifffahrtsmuseum-rostock.de
5th rescue cruiser "John T. Essberger", Speyer
In 1975, the "John T. Essberger" was built at the Schweers shipyard in Bardenfleth on the Lower Weser as the first ship in the 44-metre class of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service. Its three engines had a combined output of 7200 hp and accelerated it to 26 knots. Until 2003, this type was the largest unit of the DGzRS. In the event of a major incident at sea, the rescue cruisers of this size could take over 300 shipwrecked people below deck. It has been on display at the Technikmuseum Speyer since 2011.
The former crew, who served on the cruiser around the island of Fehmarn and in the western Baltic Sea as far as Bornholm, regularly come to Speyer and offer exclusive guided tours. The sailors' visit offers a unique opportunity to get into areas that are otherwise inaccessible. The next date:Saturday, 21 October 2023 between 10 am and 5 pm. The tours are included in the regular admission price to the Technik Museum Speyer, prior registration is not required.
Address: Am Technik Museum 1, 67346 Speyer, phone: 06232-6708853. www.speyer.technik-museum.de
Also interesting:
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
