Seasonal start for traditional Hamburg ships nowhere in sight. The operators of the traditional Hamburg ships are very concerned about Hamburg’s unique fleet of historic ships in view of the ongoing corona pandemic.
Hamburg, May 7th 2020 – The voluntary crews of the traditional Hamburg ships started their spring work at the beginning of the year so that the ships were ready to sail at the beginning of the season in May, as is the case every year. When, at the end of February, the measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus limited public life to the minimum in Germany, the operation in the clubs was also stopped for the benefit of the general public. This was followed by cancellations of major maritime events, including the Hamburg Port Birthday, where traditionally the historic ships have been presenting themselves to the numerous visitors at the traditional ship parades for decades at the start of the season.
Now, at the beginning of May, the time actually begins in which the popular ships SCHAARHÖRN from the Hamburg Maritim Foundation, the PRESIDENT FREIHERR VON MALTZAHN from the Oevelgönne museum harbor and many other floating monuments meet again on the Elbe. The time when the steamships greet each other with their distinctive steam typhons and bring joy to people on land and on board. This year everything will be different for the time being: the steam boilers are cold, the sails are not attached and the volunteer crews are still unable to meet at crew meetings of the usual size for spring work and trips on the ships.
The traditional ships of the Hamburg Maritim Foundation and the Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V. are largely financed by the travel revenue and donations. Volunteer crews, organized in company associations, maintain the historic ships and offer guest cruises. This income ensures the preservation of the historic fleet. Due to the Corona crisis, this income is lost without replacement, while the fixed costs for maintenance, insurance and security acceptance continue. Should the entire 2020 driving season be canceled due to the Corona virus, it could be very difficult to finance the running costs for Hamburg’s maritime originals.
Many passengers show great solidarity by donating the fare already paid to receive the traditional ship or by agreeing to a postponement of the trip to a later date. A big gesture that, however, cannot cover the costs.
Thousands of voluntary and tradition-conscious donors have built up the maritime heritage of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg over decades and are delighted to present it to the numerous visitors. Hamburg’s history is a maritime history. The port and shipping have shaped the city over the centuries and are still determining factors in urban development. In these difficult times, loyal passengers, who book trips again after the crisis, ensure the preservation of Hamburg’s maritime heritage. Targeted donations also secure the future of each traditional ship.
If you want to help guide the maritime heritage of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg back into calm waters, support the clubs with a donation, a membership or book a ride as soon as the current situation allows it.
More information at: www.stiftung-hamburg-maritim.de and www.museumshafen-oevelgoenne.de
Fig. 1: HF 294 PRESIDENT OF MALTZAHN (Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.) and HF 231 LANDRATH KÜSTER (Hamburg Maritim Foundation) at the Elbfest Traditionsschiffparade 2012 in Hamburg Copyright: Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.
Image 2: Steamship SCHAARHÖRN (Hamburg Maritim Foundation) and lightship ELBE 3 (Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.) at the Elbfest traditional ship parade 2012 in Hamburg
Copyright: Michael Schwartz
Photo 3: HF 294 PRESIDENT OF THE MARTZAHN (Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.) and Elbfischer Ewer CATARINA (Stiftung Hamburg Maritim) at the Elbfest Traditionsschiffparade 2012 in Hamburg Copyright: Museumshafen Oevelgönne e.V.