Jump to content

Preussen (ship): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°8.02′N 1°22.17′E / 51.13367°N 1.36950°E / 51.13367; 1.36950
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
copy edit
m fixed lint errors – invalid file options
 
(38 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|German steel-hulled five-masted ship-rigged windjammer sunk in Crab Bay after a collision }}
{{short description|German steel-hulled five-masted ship-rigged windjammer sunk in Crab Bay after a collision }}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:Preussen - StateLibQld 70 73320.jpg|right|350px]]
|Ship image=[[File:Preussen - StateLibQld 70 73320.jpg|right|350px]]
|Ship caption=''Preußen'' under full sail
|Ship caption=''Preussen'' under full sail
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
Line 10: Line 11:
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|German Empire|civil}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|German Empire|civil}}
|Ship name=''Preußen''
|Ship name=''Preußen''
|Ship namesake=State and Kingdom of Preußen (Prussia)
|Ship namesake=State and Kingdom of [[Prussia]] (Preußen)
|Ship owner=[[Flying P-Liner|F. Laeisz Shipping Company]]
|Ship owner=[[Flying P-Liner|F. Laeisz Shipping Company]]
|Ship route=Hamburg-Chile (12 journeys); 1 journey round the world in charter to [[Standard Oil]] Co.
|Ship route=Hamburg-Chile (12 journeys); 1 journey round the world in charter to [[Standard Oil]] Co.
Line 31: Line 32:
*{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Tango}}
*{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Tango}}
|Ship fate=Wrecked near [[Dover]] on 6 November 1910, no loss of men
|Ship fate=Wrecked near [[Dover]] on 6 November 1910, no loss of men
|Ship status=
|Ship badge=None; no figurehead, a [[volute]] instead
|Ship badge=None; no figurehead, a [[volute]] instead
}}
}}
Line 37: Line 37:
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=*five-masted full rigged steel ship
|Ship class=*five-masted full-rigged steel ship
*[[Potassium nitrate|nitrate]] carrier, bulk carrier
*[[Potassium nitrate|nitrate]] carrier, bulk carrier
|Ship displacement={{convert|11150|LT|MT|lk=in}} (at {{convert|8000|LT|MT|disp=or}} load)
|Ship displacement={{convert|11150|LT|MT|lk=in}} (at {{convert|8000|LT|MT|disp=or}} load)
|Ship tonnage=5,081 [[Gross Register Tonnage|GRT]] / 4,788 [[Net Register Tonnage|NRT]]
|Ship tonnage=*5,081 [[Gross Register Tonnage|GRT]]
*4,788 [[Net Register Tonnage|NRT]]
*{{DWT|8000}}
|Ship length=*{{convert|482|ft|m|abbr=on}} ([[Length overall|overall]])
|Ship length=*{{convert|482|ft|m|abbr=on}} ([[Length overall|overall]])
*{{convert|439.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} (hull)
*{{convert|439.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} (hull)
Line 60: Line 62:
*  at NN knots (NN km/h)-->
*  at NN knots (NN km/h)-->
|Ship boats=4 lifeboats on the aft main deck
|Ship boats=4 lifeboats on the aft main deck
|Ship capacity= {{convert|8000|LT|MT|disp=or}} load
|Ship capacity=
|Ship complement= 45, 49 max.
|Ship complement= 45, 49 max.
|Ship crew=captain, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd mates, steward, cook, sailmaker, 38 to 42 able seamen and shipboys
|Ship crew=captain, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd mates, steward, cook, sailmaker, 38 to 42 able seamen and shipboys
Line 66: Line 68:
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''''Preußen''''' (usually '''''Preussen''''' in English) (''PROY-sin'')<!-- to everyone who's intended to 'recorrect' the ship's spelling: in German, the state of "Preußen" - Prussia - was and is spelled with the typical German 'sharp s' or 'sz' (ß). As this letter is not available in upper case, on the ship's hull (bow and stern) the name was painted in upper case letters with double 'S': PREUSSEN. The ship was named ''Preußen'' anyway. Note further, however, that it is never an error to use the English alphabet when writing in English; Preussen is a proper English spelling. --> was a [[Germany|German]] steel-hulled five-masted [[full rigged ship|ship-rigged]] [[windjammer]] built in 1902 for the [[Flying P-Liner|F. Laeisz shipping company]] and named after the [[Germany|German]] [[States of Germany|state and kingdom]] of [[Prussia]]. It was the world's only ship of this class with five masts carrying six square sails on each mast.
'''''Preussen''''' ('''''Preußen''''' in German and as written on the vessel) (''PROY-sin'') was a German [[Iron-hulled sailing ship|steel-hulled]], five-masted, [[Full-rigged ship|ship-rigged]] [[sailing ship]] built in 1902 for the [[Flying P-Liner|F. Laeisz shipping company]] and named after the [[Germany|German]] [[States of Germany|state and kingdom]] of [[Prussia]]. She was the world's only ship of this class with five masts, carrying six square sails on each mast.


Until the 2000 launch of ''[[Royal Clipper]]'', a sail cruise liner, she was the only five-masted full-rigged ship ever built.<!-- The second five-masted full-rigged ship, the sail cruise liner "ROYAL CLIPPER", carries only 24 (instead of 30) square sails all in all-->
Until the 2000 launch of ''[[Royal Clipper]]'', a sail cruise liner, she was the only five-masted full-rigged ship ever built.<!-- The second five-masted full-rigged ship, the sail cruise liner "ROYAL CLIPPER", carries only 24 (instead of 30) square sails all in all-->


==History==
==History==
''Preußen'' was built as hull-number 179 at the [[Joh. C. Tecklenborg]] ship yard in [[Geestemünde]] according to the plans of chief designer Dr.-Ing. h. c. Georg Wilhelm Claussen, launched and christened on 7 May 1902. The ship was commissioned on 31 July 1902 and left the harbour of [[Bremerhaven]] the same day on her maiden voyage to [[Iquique]] under the command of Capt. Boye Richard Petersen who assisted naval architect Claussen in his plans. The basic idea of building such a ship is said to come from famous Laeisz captain Robert Hilgendorf, commander of the five-masted steel barque ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosi]]''. Story has it that Kaiser [[William II (of Germany and Prussia)|Wilhelm II]], while visiting ''Potosi'' on 18 June 1899, asked Carl H. Laeisz when the five-masted full-rigged ship will finally "come". This inspired Laeisz to build the ship. The initial construction plans were found among the effects of Carl Ferdinand Laeisz, grandson of founder Ferdinand Laeisz and son of C. H. Laeisz, who died early at an age of 48 in 1900, even before his father Carl Heinrich Laeisz who died in 1901. The ship was subsequently ordered in November 1900.
''Preussen'' was built as hull-number 179 at the [[Joh. C. Tecklenborg]] ship yard in [[Geestemünde]] according to the plans of chief designer Dr.-Ing. h. c. Georg Wilhelm Claussen, launched and christened on 7 May 1902. The ship was commissioned on 31 July 1902 and left the harbour of [[Bremerhaven]] the same day on her maiden voyage to [[Iquique]] under the command of Capt. Boye Richard Petersen who assisted naval architect Claussen in his plans. The basic idea of building such a ship is said to come from famous Laeisz captain Robert Hilgendorf, commander of the five-masted steel barque ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosi]]''. Story has it that Kaiser [[William II (of Germany and Prussia)|Wilhelm II]], while visiting ''Potosi'' on 18 June 1899, asked Carl H. Laeisz when the five-masted full-rigged ship will finally "come". This inspired Laeisz to build the ship. The initial construction plans were found among the effects of Carl Ferdinand Laeisz, grandson of founder Ferdinand Laeisz and son of C. H. Laeisz, who died early at an age of 48 in 1900, even before his father Carl Heinrich Laeisz who died in 1901. The ship was subsequently ordered in November 1900.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Fünfmast-Vollschiff "Preussen", Königin der See der Lebensweg eines Tiefwasserseglers|last=Hamecher, Horst.|date=1993|publisher=Hamecher|isbn=3920307461|edition=2., verb. und um die "Bauvorschrift" verm. Aufl|location=Kassel|oclc=75443927}}</ref>


The sturdily built ship could weather every storm and even tack in [[Beaufort scale|force 9]] winds. In such conditions eight men had to hold the {{convert|6+1/2|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} double steering wheel. She was successfully used in the [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] trade with [[Chile]], setting speed records in the process. Due to her appearance, uniqueness, and excellent sailing characteristics seamen called her the "Queen of the Queens of the Seas". In 1903 (2 February &ndash; 1 May)<!--That's nearer ninety days; perhaps February 2 to April 1 was meant?--> she sailed an unequalled record voyage from Lizard Point to Iquique in 57 days. She made twelve "round trips" (Hamburg&ndash;Chile and back home) and one journey round the world via [[New York City|New York]] and [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]] in charter to the [[Standard Oil]] Co. When she entered New York harbour, almost all New Yorkers were "on their legs" to see and welcome that unique tall sailing ship. Capt. B. R. Petersen was accompanied by his wife and his little son; both left the ship and returned to Hamburg later by steamer. The mighty ''Preußen'', as she was named by many seamen, had only two skippers in her career, Captain Boye Richard Petersen (11 voyages) and Captain Jochim Hans Hinrich Nissen (2 full voyages and the last). Both masters learned and developed their skills sailing such a huge sailing ship under Capt. Robert Hilgendorf, late master of ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosí]]''.
The sturdily built ship could weather every storm and even tack in [[Beaufort scale|force 9]] winds{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}. In such conditions eight men had to hold the {{convert|6+1/2|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} double steering wheel. She was successfully used in the [[Potassium nitrate|saltpeter]] trade with [[Chile]], setting speed records in the process. Due to her appearance, uniqueness, and excellent sailing characteristics seamen called her the "Queen of the Queens of the Seas". In 1903 (2 February &ndash; 1 May)<!--That's nearer ninety days; perhaps February 2 to April 1 was meant?--> she sailed an unequalled record voyage from Lizard Point to Iquique in 57 days. She made twelve "round trips" (Hamburg&ndash;Chile and back home) and one journey round the world via [[New York City|New York]] and [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]] in charter to the [[Standard Oil]] Co. When she entered New York harbour, almost all New Yorkers were "on their legs" to see and welcome that unique tall sailing ship. Capt. B. R. Petersen was accompanied by his wife and his little son; both left the ship and returned to Hamburg later by steamer. The mighty ''Preussen'', as she was named by many seamen, had only two skippers in her career, Captain Boye Richard Petersen (11 voyages) and Captain Jochim Hans Hinrich Nissen (2 full voyages and the last). Both masters learned and developed their skills sailing such a huge sailing ship under Capt. Robert Hilgendorf, late master of ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosí]]''.<ref name=":0" />


===Loss===
===Loss===
⚫
On 5 November 1910,<ref>Rolf Christian Warming: "I was at the helm when Preussen ran aground", Mariner's Mirror (101:3): pp.323-333. 2015.</ref><ref>Hamecher, Fünfmast-Vollschiff »PREUSSEN« P. 324</ref> on her 14th outbound voyage, carrying a mixed cargo including a number of [[piano]]s for Chile, ''Preussen'' was at 23:35 rammed by the small British cross-channel steamer {{SS|Brighton|1903|2}} {{convert|8|nmi|km}} south of Newhaven.<ref name=Clyde>{{cite web|url=http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=10944 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427123349/http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=10944 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=27 April 2005 |title=Launched 1903: ss BRIGHTON |publisher=Clydesite |access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref> Contrary to regulations, ''Brighton'' had tried to cross her bows, underestimating her high speed of {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}. ''Preussen'' was seriously damaged and lost much of her forward rigging (bowsprit, fore topgallant mast), making it impossible to steer the ship to safety. ''Brighton'' returned to Newhaven to summon aid and the [[tugboat|tug]] ''Alert'' was sent to assist ''Preussen''. A November gale thwarted attempts to sail or tug her to safety in [[Dover Harbour]]. It was intended to anchor her off Dover, but both anchor chains broke, and ''Preussen'' was driven onto rocks at Crab Bay, where she sank as a result of the damage inflicted on her. While crew, cargo and some equipment could be saved from ''Preussen'', with the keel broken she was rendered unsalvageable. She sits in {{convert|6|m|fathom}} of water at {{coord|51|8.02|N|1|22.17|E|display=inline,title}}. The Master of ''Brighton'' was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result. A few ribs of ''Preussen'' can be seen off Crab Bay at low spring tides.
⚫
[[File:Preussen stranded in crabbay.jpg|thumb|left|Stranded in Crab Bay]]
⚫
[[File:Preussen after collision - SLV H99.220-612.jpg|thumb|left|Soon after the 1910 collision]]

⚫
On 5 November 1910,<ref>Hamecher, Fünfmast-Vollschiff »PREUSSEN« P. 324</ref> on her 14th outbound voyage, carrying a mixed cargo including a number of [[piano]]s for Chile, ''Preußen'' was at 23:35 rammed by the small British cross-channel steamer {{SS|Brighton|1903|2}} {{convert|8|nmi|km}} south of Newhaven.<ref name=Clyde>{{cite web|url=http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=10944 |title=Launched 1903: ss BRIGHTON |publisher=Clydesite |accessdate=5 January 2010}}</ref> Contrary to regulations, ''Brighton'' had tried to cross her bows, underestimating her high speed of {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}. ''Preußen'' was seriously damaged and lost much of her forward rigging (bowsprit, fore topgallant mast), making it impossible to steer the ship to safety. ''Brighton'' returned to Newhaven to summon aid and the [[tugboat|tug]] ''Alert'' was sent to assist ''Preußen''. A November gale thwarted attempts to sail or tug her to safety in [[Dover Harbour]]. It was intended to anchor her off Dover but both anchor chains broke and ''Preußen'' was driven onto rocks at Crab Bay where she sank as a result of the damage inflicted on her. While crew, cargo and some equipment could be saved from ''Preußen'', with the keel broken she was rendered unsalvageable. She sits in {{convert|6|m|fathom}} of water at {{coord|51|8.02|N|1|22.17|E|display=inline,title}}. The Master of ''Brighton'' was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result. A few ribs of ''Preußen'' can be seen off Crab Bay at low spring tides.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://uk-shore.com/kent/dover/remainsofthepreussenshipw00028_photo.html |title=Remains of the Preussen shipwreck, Dover |publisher=Fearntech Limited |year=2008 |accessdate=9 February 2011}} Has a photo of the remains of the ship at low tide.</ref>


==Technical data==
==Technical data==
''Preußen'' was steel-built with a waterline length of 124 m and a total hull length of 132 m. The hull was 16.4 m wide and the ship had a displacement of {{convert|11150|LT|MT|lk=in}}, for an effective carrying capacity of {{convert|8000|LT|MT}}. The five masts were fully rigged, with [[course (sail)|courses]], upper and lower [[topsail]]s, upper and lower [[topgallant sail]]s, and [[royal sail|royals]]. Counting [[staysail]]s, she carried 47 sails (30 square sails in six storeys, 12 staysails between the five masts, four foresails (jibs) and a small fore-and-aft [[spanker (sail)|spanker]]) with a total sail area of {{convert|6806|m2|sqft|sp=us}} (according to other sources {{convert|5560|m2|sqft|sp=us}}, which probably refer to the square sail area only)<!--total sail numbers of 45 or 46 are wrong; often not all stay sails were set, hence sail numbers from 43 to 46 are possible-->. Not only the hull was steel: masts (lower and top mast were made in one piece) and spars (yard, spanker boom) were constructed of steel tubing, and most of the rigging was steel cable. All [[bobstay]]s between jibboom and bow were made of massive steel rods and chains. The only wooden spar was the gaff of the small spanker. The hoistable yards were equipped with special shoes to slide in rails riveted to the masts. "Jarvis' Patent" brace winches<ref>[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Biography/GB/Jarvis,_JCB.html Biography of Captain John Charles Barron Jarvis (1857-1935)]</ref> for the lower and top-sail yards were mounted before each of the five masts. The fall winches were of "Hall's Patent".
''Preussen'' was steel-built with a waterline length of 124 m and a total hull length of 132 m. The hull was 16.4 m wide and the ship had a displacement of {{convert|11150|LT|MT|lk=in}}, for an effective carrying capacity of {{convert|8000|LT|MT}}. The five masts were fully rigged, with [[course (sail)|courses]], upper and lower [[topsail]]s, upper and lower [[topgallant sail]]s, and [[royal sail|royals]]. Counting [[staysail]]s, she carried 47 sails (30 square sails in six storeys, 12 staysails between the five masts, four foresails (jibs) and a small fore-and-aft [[spanker (sail)|spanker]]) with a total sail area of {{convert|6806|m2|sqft|sp=us}} (according to other sources {{convert|5560|m2|sqft|sp=us}}, which probably refer to the square sail area only)<!--total sail numbers of 45 or 46 are wrong; often not all stay sails were set, hence sail numbers from 43 to 46 are possible-->. Not only the hull was steel: masts (lower and top mast were made in one piece) and spars (yard, spanker boom) were constructed of steel tubing, and most of the rigging was steel cable. All [[bobstay]]s between jibboom and bow were made of massive steel rods and chains. The only wooden spar was the gaff of the small spanker. The hoistable yards were equipped with special shoes to slide in rails riveted to the masts. "Jarvis' Patent" brace winches<ref>[http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Biography/GB/Jarvis,_JCB.html Biography of Captain John Charles Barron Jarvis (1857-1935)]</ref> for the lower and top-sail yards were mounted before each of the five masts. The fall winches were of "Hall's Patent".{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}


The names of the five masts were Fockmast, Grossmast, Mittelmast, Laeiszmast (after her owner), Kreuzmast.<ref>
The five masts were referred to as the fore, main, middle, mizzen, and jigger (in German: Vor-, Groß-, Mittel-, Kreuz-, Achtermast) masts.
{{cite book
⚫
[[File:Preussen total wreck - SLV H99.220-2132.jpg|thumb|left|Wreck of ''Preußen'']]
| last1 = Moore
⚫
She was designed as a so-called "three-island ship", i. e. a ship with a third "high level deck" amidships beside the forecastle ({{convert|41|ft|m|abbr=on}}) and poop ({{convert|65|ft|m|abbr=on}}) decks. The midship island ({{convert|74|ft|m|abbr=on}}), also called the midship bridge, is also called a "Liverpool house", because the first ships equipped with that feature came from Liverpool yards. Dry and well-ventilated accommodations for crew, mates, and captain, as well as the pantry and chart room, were built in this middle deck. The main helm &mdash; a double rudder wheel of 6.2&nbsp;ft (1.89 m) diameter with a steam driven rudder machine &mdash; was mounted on top of it, well protected against the dangerous huge waves from aft. A second helm (emergency helm) was near the stern. Four huge main hatches were set in the upper main deck. Behind the foremast a little deckhouse contained the two [[donkey boiler]]s that drove four steam winches, a steam capstan, the rudder machine, and a generator for electricity. Four lifeboats with davits were securely fixed on a tubing rack above the main deck before the aftmost mast.
| first1 = Sir Alan Hilary
| author-link1 = Sir Alan Hilary Moore, 2nd Baronet
| last2 = Nance
| first2 = R. Morton
| author-link2 = Robert Morton Nance
| title = Last days of mast & sail : An Essay in Nautical Comparative Anatomy
| url = https://archive.org/details/lastdaysofmastsa0000moor
| publisher = Clarendon Press, Oxford
| date = 1925
| ol = 26571876M
| pages = 75{{ndash}}76
}}</ref>


⚫
She was designed as a so-called "three-island ship", i. e. a ship with a third "high level deck" amidships beside the forecastle ({{convert|41|ft|m|abbr=on}}) and poop ({{convert|65|ft|m|abbr=on}}) decks. The midship island ({{convert|74|ft|m|abbr=on}}), also called the midship bridge, is also called a "Liverpool house", because the first ships equipped with that feature came from Liverpool yards. Dry and well-ventilated accommodations for crew, mates, and captain, as well as the pantry and chart room, were built in this middle deck. The main helm &mdash; a double rudder wheel of 6.2&nbsp;ft (1.89 m) diameter with a steam driven rudder machine &mdash; was mounted on top of it, well protected against the dangerous huge waves from aft. A second helm (emergency helm) was near the stern. Four huge main hatches were set in the upper main deck. Behind the foremast a little deckhouse contained the two [[donkey boiler]]s that drove four steam winches, a steam capstan, the rudder machine, and a generator for electricity. Four lifeboats with davits were securely fixed on a tubing rack above the main deck before the aftmost mast.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}
⚫
Under good conditions, the ship could reach a speed of {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}. Her best 24-hour runs were 392 [[nautical|nm]] in 1908 on her voyage to Japan and 426&nbsp;nm in 1904 in the South Pacific. ''Preußen'' was manned by a crew of 45, which was supported by two steam engines powering the pumps, the rudder steering engine, the loading gear, and winches. English seamen estimate her the fastest sailing ship after the clipper era, even faster than her fleet sister ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosí]]''. Only a few clippers were faster than ''Preußen'', and they had considerably less cargo capacity.

⚫
Under good conditions, the ship could reach a speed of {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}. Her best 24-hour runs were 392 [[nautical|nm]] in 1908 on her voyage to Japan and 426&nbsp;nm in 1904 in the South Pacific. ''Preussen'' was manned by a crew of 45, which was supported by two steam engines powering the pumps, the rudder steering engine, the loading gear, and winches. English seamen estimate her the fastest sailing ship after the clipper era, even faster than her fleet sister ''[[Potosi (ship)|Potosí]]''. Only a few clippers were faster than ''Preussen'', and they had considerably less cargo capacity.{{citation_needed|date=August 2019}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px>
⚫
File:Preussen stranded in crabbay.jpg|''Preussen'', stranded in Crab Bay
File:Preussen ship c. 1910 SLNSW FL20702467.jpg|''Preussen'' with tugs, Crab Bay, England, 1910
⚫
File:Preussen after collision - SLV H99.220-612.jpg|''Preussen'' soon after the 1910 collision
⚫
File:Preussen total wreck - SLV H99.220-2132.jpg|Wreck of ''Preussen''
</gallery>


==Stamps==
==Stamps==
⚫
''Preussen'' has appeared on [[postage stamp]]s issued by the [[Falkland Islands]], [[Germany]], [[Grenada]], [[Paraguay]] and [[Sierra Leone]].<ref name=Stamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.seemotive.de/html/preussen.htm |title= Maritime Topics On Stamps :Sailing vessel 'Preussen' |publisher=Seemotive |access-date=14 February 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Stamps of Germany 1977, MiNr 930.jpg|thumb|right| 1977 German stamp with ''Preußen'' on it]]
⚫
''Preußen'' has appeared on [[postage stamp]]s issued by the [[Falkland Islands]], [[Germany]], [[Grenada]], [[Paraguay]] and [[Sierra Leone]].<ref name=Stamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.seemotive.de/html/preussen.htm |title= Maritime Topics On Stamps :Sailing vessel 'Preussen' |publisher=Seemotive |accessdate=14 February 2010}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 99: Line 119:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

==Notes==
==Further reading==
* Oliver E. Allen: ''Die Windjammer'', Time-Life Books, 1980 (Original US edition: ''The Windjammers'', 1978)
* Oliver E. Allen: ''Die Windjammer'', Time-Life Books, 1980 (Original US edition: ''The Windjammers'', 1978)
* Heinz Blöß: ''Glanz und Schicksal der "Potosi" und "Preußen", Hamburgs und der Welt größte Segler''. Schmidt Verlag, [[Kiel]] 1960
* Heinz Blöß: ''Glanz und Schicksal der "Potosi" und "Preußen", Hamburgs und der Welt größte Segler''. Schmidt Verlag, [[Kiel]] 1960
Line 112: Line 133:
* Schiff und Zeit. Fachzeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Schiffahrts- und Marinegeschichte. ''Fünfmastvollschiff&nbsp;&nbsp;"Preußen"''. Heft 5/1977, Herford 1977, Bestell-Nr.: 5872
* Schiff und Zeit. Fachzeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Schiffahrts- und Marinegeschichte. ''Fünfmastvollschiff&nbsp;&nbsp;"Preußen"''. Heft 5/1977, Herford 1977, Bestell-Nr.: 5872
* Jens Jansson: ''SOS - Schicksale deutscher Schiffe - Weiße Segel über blauen Wogen - vol. Nr. 51 - Fünfmastvollschiff&nbsp;&nbsp;"Preußen"''.&nbsp;&nbsp; pp 2, Pabel-Moewig Verlag KG, [[Rastatt]] 1976
* Jens Jansson: ''SOS - Schicksale deutscher Schiffe - Weiße Segel über blauen Wogen - vol. Nr. 51 - Fünfmastvollschiff&nbsp;&nbsp;"Preußen"''.&nbsp;&nbsp; pp 2, Pabel-Moewig Verlag KG, [[Rastatt]] 1976
*Rolf Christian Warming: "I was at the helm when Preussen ran aground", Mariner's Mirror (101:3): pp.&nbsp;323–333. 2015.


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Preußen (ship, 1902)|Preußen}}
{{Commons category|Preußen (ship, 1902)|Preußen}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080215084351/http://werften.fischtown.de/archiv/preussen1.htm Description with ship characteristics & photographs] {{de icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080215084351/http://werften.fischtown.de/archiv/preussen1.htm Description with ship characteristics & photographs] {{in lang|de}}
* [http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fivemast_ships/Preussen(1902).html ''Preußen'' at www.bruzelius.info]
* [http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Fivemast_ships/Preussen(1902).html ''Preußen'' at www.bruzelius.info]
* [http://www.esys.org/bigship/preussen.html Profile of ''Preußen''] {{de icon}}
* [http://www.esys.org/bigship/preussen.html Profile of ''Preußen''] {{in lang|de}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521034338/http://www.janmaat.de/preussen.htm Description with ship characteristics, photographs, report on the accident] {{de icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100521034338/http://www.janmaat.de/preussen.htm Description with ship characteristics, photographs, report on the accident] {{in lang|de}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207063728/http://www.caphorniers.cl/preussen/ships_valpo.htm CapHorniers on F. Laeisz (and A. D. Bordes & Fils), Chile, photographs etc.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081207063728/http://www.caphorniers.cl/preussen/ships_valpo.htm CapHorniers on F. Laeisz (and A. D. Bordes & Fils), Chile, photographs etc.]
* [http://www.steelnavy.com/Preussen48.htm 1/48th scale model of ''Preussen'' at the San Francisco Maritime Museum]
* [http://www.steelnavy.com/Preussen48.htm 1/48 scale model of ''Preussen'' at the San Francisco Maritime Museum]
* [http://www.navegar-es-preciso.com/news/preussen-un-genuino-windjammer/ ''Preußen'', un genuino windjammer] {{es icon}}
* [http://www.navegar-es-preciso.com/news/preussen-un-genuino-windjammer/ ''Preußen'', un genuino windjammer] {{in lang|es}}


{{Laeisz ships}}
{{Laeisz ships}}
{{1910 shipwrecks}}
{{1910 shipwrecks}}
{{Recreational dive sites}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wresit}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Line 139: Line 161:
[[Category:Lost sailing vessels]]
[[Category:Lost sailing vessels]]
[[Category:1910 in England]]
[[Category:1910 in England]]
[[Category:Windjammers]]

Latest revision as of 07:46, 15 July 2024

Preussen under full sail
History
German Empire
NamePreußen
NamesakeState and Kingdom of Prussia (Preußen)
OwnerF. Laeisz Shipping Company
RouteHamburg-Chile (12 journeys); 1 journey round the world in charter to Standard Oil Co.
OrderedNovember, 1900
Builder
CostM 1,200,000 (About US$300,000 then)
Yard number179
Laid downAugust 1901
Launched7 May 1902 and christened the same day
Completed7 July 1902
Commissioned10 July 1902
Maiden voyage31 July 1902 to Iquique, Chile in 64 days
HomeportHamburg, Germany
Identification
FateWrecked near Dover on 6 November 1910, no loss of men
BadgeNone; no figurehead, a volute instead
General characteristics
Class and type
  • five-masted full-rigged steel ship
  • nitrate carrier, bulk carrier
Tonnage
Displacement11,150 long tons (11,330 t) (at 8,000 long tons or 8,100 metric tons load)
Length
Beam53.8 ft (16.4 m)
Height
  • 223.1 ft (68.0 m) (keel to masthead truck)
  • 190.28 ft (58.00 m) (deck to masthead truck)
Draft27.09 ft (8.26 m)
Depth33.59 ft (10.24 m) (depth molded)
Depth of hold32.48 ft (9.90 m)
Decks2 continuous steel, poop, forecastle, and midship island (bridge) decks
Deck clearance8 ft (2.4 m)
Installed powerno auxiliary propulsion; 2 donkey engines for sail winches, loading gear, pumps, generator
Propulsionsail
Sail plan
Speed20.5 knots (38.0 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried		4 lifeboats on the aft main deck
Complement45, 49 max.
Crewcaptain, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd mates, steward, cook, sailmaker, 38 to 42 able seamen and shipboys
Notessmall surgery, Jarvis patent brace winches for each mast

Preussen (Preußen in German and as written on the vessel) (PROY-sin) was a German steel-hulled, five-masted, ship-rigged sailing ship built in 1902 for the F. Laeisz shipping company and named after the German state and kingdom of Prussia. She was the world's only ship of this class with five masts, carrying six square sails on each mast.

Until the 2000 launch of Royal Clipper, a sail cruise liner, she was the only five-masted full-rigged ship ever built.

History

[edit]

Preussen was built as hull-number 179 at the Joh. C. Tecklenborg ship yard in Geestemünde according to the plans of chief designer Dr.-Ing. h. c. Georg Wilhelm Claussen, launched and christened on 7 May 1902. The ship was commissioned on 31 July 1902 and left the harbour of Bremerhaven the same day on her maiden voyage to Iquique under the command of Capt. Boye Richard Petersen who assisted naval architect Claussen in his plans. The basic idea of building such a ship is said to come from famous Laeisz captain Robert Hilgendorf, commander of the five-masted steel barque Potosi. Story has it that Kaiser Wilhelm II, while visiting Potosi on 18 June 1899, asked Carl H. Laeisz when the five-masted full-rigged ship will finally "come". This inspired Laeisz to build the ship. The initial construction plans were found among the effects of Carl Ferdinand Laeisz, grandson of founder Ferdinand Laeisz and son of C. H. Laeisz, who died early at an age of 48 in 1900, even before his father Carl Heinrich Laeisz who died in 1901. The ship was subsequently ordered in November 1900.[1]

The sturdily built ship could weather every storm and even tack in force 9 winds[citation needed]. In such conditions eight men had to hold the 6+1⁄2-foot-tall (2.0 m) double steering wheel. She was successfully used in the saltpeter trade with Chile, setting speed records in the process. Due to her appearance, uniqueness, and excellent sailing characteristics seamen called her the "Queen of the Queens of the Seas". In 1903 (2 February – 1 May) she sailed an unequalled record voyage from Lizard Point to Iquique in 57 days. She made twelve "round trips" (Hamburg–Chile and back home) and one journey round the world via New York and Yokohama, Japan in charter to the Standard Oil Co. When she entered New York harbour, almost all New Yorkers were "on their legs" to see and welcome that unique tall sailing ship. Capt. B. R. Petersen was accompanied by his wife and his little son; both left the ship and returned to Hamburg later by steamer. The mighty Preussen, as she was named by many seamen, had only two skippers in her career, Captain Boye Richard Petersen (11 voyages) and Captain Jochim Hans Hinrich Nissen (2 full voyages and the last). Both masters learned and developed their skills sailing such a huge sailing ship under Capt. Robert Hilgendorf, late master of Potosí.[1]

Loss

[edit]

On 5 November 1910,[2][3] on her 14th outbound voyage, carrying a mixed cargo including a number of pianos for Chile, Preussen was at 23:35 rammed by the small British cross-channel steamer Brighton 8 nautical miles (15 km) south of Newhaven.[4] Contrary to regulations, Brighton had tried to cross her bows, underestimating her high speed of 16 knots (30 km/h). Preussen was seriously damaged and lost much of her forward rigging (bowsprit, fore topgallant mast), making it impossible to steer the ship to safety. Brighton returned to Newhaven to summon aid and the tug Alert was sent to assist Preussen. A November gale thwarted attempts to sail or tug her to safety in Dover Harbour. It was intended to anchor her off Dover, but both anchor chains broke, and Preussen was driven onto rocks at Crab Bay, where she sank as a result of the damage inflicted on her. While crew, cargo and some equipment could be saved from Preussen, with the keel broken she was rendered unsalvageable. She sits in 6 metres (3.3 fathoms) of water at 51°8.02′N 1°22.17′E / 51.13367°N 1.36950°E / 51.13367; 1.36950. The Master of Brighton was found to be responsible for the accident and lost his licence as a result. A few ribs of Preussen can be seen off Crab Bay at low spring tides.

Technical data

[edit]

Preussen was steel-built with a waterline length of 124 m and a total hull length of 132 m. The hull was 16.4 m wide and the ship had a displacement of 11,150 long tons (11,330 t), for an effective carrying capacity of 8,000 long tons (8,100 t). The five masts were fully rigged, with courses, upper and lower topsails, upper and lower topgallant sails, and royals. Counting staysails, she carried 47 sails (30 square sails in six storeys, 12 staysails between the five masts, four foresails (jibs) and a small fore-and-aft spanker) with a total sail area of 6,806 square meters (73,260 sq ft) (according to other sources 5,560 square meters (59,800 sq ft), which probably refer to the square sail area only). Not only the hull was steel: masts (lower and top mast were made in one piece) and spars (yard, spanker boom) were constructed of steel tubing, and most of the rigging was steel cable. All bobstays between jibboom and bow were made of massive steel rods and chains. The only wooden spar was the gaff of the small spanker. The hoistable yards were equipped with special shoes to slide in rails riveted to the masts. "Jarvis' Patent" brace winches[5] for the lower and top-sail yards were mounted before each of the five masts. The fall winches were of "Hall's Patent".[citation needed]

The names of the five masts were Fockmast, Grossmast, Mittelmast, Laeiszmast (after her owner), Kreuzmast.[6]

She was designed as a so-called "three-island ship", i. e. a ship with a third "high level deck" amidships beside the forecastle (41 ft (12 m)) and poop (65 ft (20 m)) decks. The midship island (74 ft (23 m)), also called the midship bridge, is also called a "Liverpool house", because the first ships equipped with that feature came from Liverpool yards. Dry and well-ventilated accommodations for crew, mates, and captain, as well as the pantry and chart room, were built in this middle deck. The main helm — a double rudder wheel of 6.2 ft (1.89 m) diameter with a steam driven rudder machine — was mounted on top of it, well protected against the dangerous huge waves from aft. A second helm (emergency helm) was near the stern. Four huge main hatches were set in the upper main deck. Behind the foremast a little deckhouse contained the two donkey boilers that drove four steam winches, a steam capstan, the rudder machine, and a generator for electricity. Four lifeboats with davits were securely fixed on a tubing rack above the main deck before the aftmost mast.[citation needed]

Under good conditions, the ship could reach a speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). Her best 24-hour runs were 392 nm in 1908 on her voyage to Japan and 426 nm in 1904 in the South Pacific. Preussen was manned by a crew of 45, which was supported by two steam engines powering the pumps, the rudder steering engine, the loading gear, and winches. English seamen estimate her the fastest sailing ship after the clipper era, even faster than her fleet sister Potosí. Only a few clippers were faster than Preussen, and they had considerably less cargo capacity.[citation needed]

[edit]
  • Preussen, stranded in Crab Bay
    Preussen, stranded in Crab Bay
  • Preussen with tugs, Crab Bay, England, 1910
    Preussen with tugs, Crab Bay, England, 1910
  • Preussen soon after the 1910 collision
    Preussen soon after the 1910 collision
  • Wreck of Preussen
    Wreck of Preussen

Stamps

[edit]

Preussen has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Falkland Islands, Germany, Grenada, Paraguay and Sierra Leone.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hamecher, Horst. (1993). Fünfmast-Vollschiff "Preussen", Königin der See der Lebensweg eines Tiefwasserseglers (2., verb. und um die "Bauvorschrift" verm. Aufl ed.). Kassel: Hamecher. ISBN 3920307461. OCLC 75443927.
  2. ^ Rolf Christian Warming: "I was at the helm when Preussen ran aground", Mariner's Mirror (101:3): pp.323-333. 2015.
  3. ^ Hamecher, Fünfmast-Vollschiff »PREUSSEN« P. 324
  4. ^ "Launched 1903: ss BRIGHTON". Clydesite. Archived from the original on 27 April 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ Biography of Captain John Charles Barron Jarvis (1857-1935)
  6. ^ Moore, Sir Alan Hilary; Nance, R. Morton (1925). Last days of mast & sail : An Essay in Nautical Comparative Anatomy. Clarendon Press, Oxford. pp. 75–76. OL 26571876M.
  7. ^ "Maritime Topics On Stamps :Sailing vessel 'Preussen'". Seemotive. Retrieved 14 February 2010.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Oliver E. Allen: Die Windjammer, Time-Life Books, 1980 (Original US edition: The Windjammers, 1978)
  • Heinz Blöß: Glanz und Schicksal der "Potosi" und "Preußen", Hamburgs und der Welt größte Segler. Schmidt Verlag, Kiel 1960
  • Jochen Brennecke: Windjammer.  Der große Bericht über die Entwicklung, Reisen und Schicksale der "Königinnen der Sieben Meere". Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft, Herford, 3. Aufl. 1984; Kap. XXII - Die Größten unter den Segelschiffen der Welt, S. 291-297; ISBN 3-7822-0009-8
  • Hans-Jörg Furrer: Die Vier- und Fünfmast-Rahsegler der Welt.  Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft, Herford 1984, pp 168, ISBN 3-7822-0341-0
  • Horst Hamecher: Fünfmast-Vollschiff »PREUSSEN«, Königin der See. Der Lebensweg eines Tiefwasserseglers.  Hamecher Eigenverlag, Kassel 1993, ill.; ISBN 3-920307-46-1 (the book describes in detail everything concerning the ship including all her voyages)
  • W. Kaemmerer: Das Fünfmast-Vollschiff Preußen, erbaut von Joh. C. Tecklenborg A.-G., Schiffswerft und Maschinenfabrik in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde.  Zeitschrift der Vereins deutscher Ingenieure, vol. 48, No. 34, Berlin 1904
  • Peter Klingbeil: Die Flying P-Liner. Die Segelschiffe der Reederei F. Laeisz.  Verlag "Die Hanse", Hamburg 1998 / 2000; ISBN 3-434-52562-9
  • Björn Landström: Das Schiff.  C. Bertelsmann Verlag, München (Munich) 1961
  • Hans Georg Prager: „F. Laeisz“ vom Frachtsegler bis zum Bulk Carrier.  Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Herford 1974; ISBN 3-7822-0096-9
  • Manfred Prager: Vergleich zwischen dem Fünfmastvollschiff  "Preußen" und der Fünfmastbark  "Potosi" auf den Reisen nach der Westküste Südamerikas und zurück. Annalen der Hydrographie und maritimen Meteorologie: Zeitschrift für Seefahrt und Meereskunde, Hamburg, Berlin 1908; ISSN 0174-8114
  • Schiff und Zeit. Fachzeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Schiffahrts- und Marinegeschichte. Fünfmastvollschiff  "Preußen". Heft 5/1977, Herford 1977, Bestell-Nr.: 5872
  • Jens Jansson: SOS - Schicksale deutscher Schiffe - Weiße Segel über blauen Wogen - vol. Nr. 51 - Fünfmastvollschiff  "Preußen".   pp 2, Pabel-Moewig Verlag KG, Rastatt 1976
  • Rolf Christian Warming: "I was at the helm when Preussen ran aground", Mariner's Mirror (101:3): pp. 323–333. 2015.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Preußen.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Preussen_(ship)&oldid=1234617610"