135 years of steam ferry Stralsund: a century piece on the Peene!

135 years of steam ferry Stralsund: a century piece on the Peene!

A very special anniversary is celebrated in the picturesque Volgaster city harbor: The historic steam ferry "Stralsund" recently celebrated its 135th birthday. This year, a colorful open-ship party weekend frames the celebrations that are celebrated on Saturday evening. Even if the ferry is no longer in regular use, it remains an estimated piece of history for many people.

The "Stralsund" is not only a technical monument, but also the oldest steam ferry in its design worldwide. Since her commissioning in 1890, she has had a moving story that extends until the 90s. During this time, she not only transported steaming railway wagons to Usedom and back, but also played an essential role in the promotion of material to Greifswalder Oie in the 1930s for the Peenemünde army attempt. Hundreds of steam ferries were in use in northern Germany at the time, and the "Stralsund" resigned from its original route in Stralsund in 1901 to take on other tasks.

The roots of the steam ferry

The "Stralsund" was put into service by the Royal Prussian Railway Machine Office in Stralsund and connected the harbor Stralsund with Grailhof near Altfähr from the start. The construction work for the ferry began in 1882, and the first Trajekschiff, the "Prince Heinrich", arrived in Stralsund on November 13, 1882. Technically impressive, the ferry offers space for up to 300 passengers and can transport up to three passenger cars or up to four freight cars. Her two two-stage expansion piston steam engines give her a speed of 8 knots-quite respectable for that time.

As the documentation of history shows, the ferry was active until 1990. After the outstanding position in 1991, she was finally taken over by the city of Wolgast in 1992, who decided to use it as a museum ship and thus keep her impressive story alive.

a tour through history

The development of the railway ferries began in the 1830s and found an interesting expression with the construction of the “Stralsund”. Railway ferries like this were designed for the transport of railway cars that could be loaded and unloaded on their own bikes. Although the original type of this ferry route has long been overtaken, the "Stralsund" remains an important piece of maritime history and a testimony of technical progress that has been achieved in shipbuilding over the past centuries. While the first ferries were made of wood, modern models made of iron and steel were built that showed robust features.

Over the years, the "Stralsund", which is located as a museum ship in Wolgast, has experienced a lot. From her beginnings to her retirement, together with other steam ferries, she wrote countless stories and promoted generations of phenomena, travelers and freight. Your preservation is thanks to the commitment of the regional association. This has been taking care of your care and preservation since 2014, so that the fascination for this historic steam ferry can continue to be passed on in the future.

It remains to be seen whether she breaks the next passenger record. What is certain, however, is that the "Stralsund" and their history are deeply burned into the cultural memory of the region. The event in the city harbor offers an excellent opportunity for visitors and locals to experience and celebrate the history of this unique ship up close.