Kaiser Wilhelm: 125 years of steamship travel – nostalgic tour inspires!

Kaiser Wilhelm: 125 years of steamship travel – nostalgic tour inspires!

The paddle steamer “Kaiser Wilhelm” continues its journey through the Elbe to celebrate its 125th anniversary with an anniversary trip. On June 14, 2025, the legendary steamer set off from the banks of the Elbe in Wittenberg, where the solid plume of smoke was already rising high and apparently captivated not only nostalgics, but also technology lovers and passengers. Over 50 fans accompanied the trip and waved to the walkers passing by, while children were particularly excited and pointed cameras at the shiny ship, which is technically in remarkably good condition and is considered the second oldest operational paddle steamer in Germany.

The residents experienced an unexpected interruption when the fire department was alerted to a suspected fire. Fortunately, no fire could be found, and the 84-year-old neighbor, who has known the steamer for 71 years, reacted to the incident cheerfully and calmly. The “Kaiser Wilhelm” passed through the towns of Elster, Pretzsch and Prettin during the journey and offered the passengers a relaxed atmosphere.

History and meaning of the steamer

The steamer “Kaiser Wilhelm” was built between 1899 and 1900 in the Dresden machine factory and was launched on May 20, 1900. With a speed of almost 21 km/h and supplied with sufficient hard coal, the steamer was active in regular service on the Oberweser until 1970. Subsequently, Dr. Ernst Schmidt the ship, which can now be found in the Lauenburg Elbe Shipping Museum. This anniversary trip is the first repetition of a trip to Dresden since 2015, and it leads through the UNESCO Elbe Biosphere Reserve, which further enhances the historical and scenic appeal.

The route of the anniversary trip includes several stops, including Dömitz, Wittenberge, Havelberg and Brandenburg/Havel, before the steamer reaches its destination Dresden on June 14, 2025, at an expected time of 4:30 p.m. Here, guests have the opportunity to take a tour of the steamer on June 15, 2025 and also use the only ship's post office on a German inland vessel, where they can write and send postcards.

The steamship adventure

Steam shipping has deep roots in German cultural history. The development of steamships began in Europe as early as the 19th century, inspired by Robert Fulton's first commercial success with the paddle steamer “Clermont”. The beauty of these historic watercraft and their importance for the development of transportation infrastructure can hardly be overestimated.

As the long tradition shows, steamships are still very popular today. Captain Markus Reich and his team are particularly looking forward to the journey together, while at the same time maintaining friendly connections with the crew of the passenger steamer “Dresden”. This nostalgic journey through the Elbe not only brings the past back to life, but also makes the hearts of technology enthusiasts beat faster.

The “Kaiser Wilhelm” anniversary trip is not just an excursion, but a journey through the living history of steam shipping with all its highs and lows. We are excited to see how the trip develops in the coming days and hope for nice weather so that guests can enjoy their experience!