Sailboat “Beijing” moored in Hamburg | NDR.de – news

Position: 07.09.2020 19:06 Uhr – NDR 90.3

The “Peking” is back in Hamburg: in the evening the ship reached its berth. The historic four-masted boat “Peking” was launched in Hamburg in 1911, then sailed around Cape Horn 34 times and was a museum ship in New York for more than 40 years: today it has returned to its homeland. In Hamburg, the sailboat will be the flagship of the future planned to be the German Harbor Museum in Kleiner Grasbrook. Follow “Beijing” journey here via live video streaming.

Thousands of spectators along the Elbe

The transfer of the boat was followed by thousands along the Elbe, because many places along the route were suitable as observation points. A fleet of historic ships and yachts accompanied “Peking” to its home port in Hamburg. Around 5.30 pm she was greeted here with water fountains and a typhoon concert.

With the afternoon flood in the port of Hamburg

With the afternoon flood, the “Peking” reached the Elbe Philharmonic, where it was rotated and then maneuvered back to its post. The ship will moor on the south bank of the Elbe for the next few years. Later, the “Beijing” will receive its last place against the Elbphilharmonie.

“Beijing” has returned to Hamburg since the afternoon

In the morning and in the morning the “Beijing” Brought in by tugboats from the Peters shipyard in Wewelsfleth (Steinburg district) to Twielenfleth in the Stade district. There she waited for the tide, and with it, her journey. In the early afternoon she continued her journey and crossed the border into Hamburg.

The water police have closed part of the port

Around 7 p.m. their comeback was completed after a total of 88 years. For security reasons, the water police had cordoned off part of the port so that other ships and boats would not obstruct “Beijing” when docking.

Grütters: “Beijing” an “outstanding national cultural monument”

The Minister of State for Culture, Monika Grütters (CDU), declared: “We are proud, as a nation, to have such a ship.” The return of “Beijing” is financed 100 percent by the federal government – with 38.5 million euros. That’s unusual, generally the federal government only funds if there is supplemental funding from the responsible states. “We do without it here because it is an exceptional national cultural monument,” Grütters said in the afternoon.

Culture Senator Carsten Brosda: “A great moment”

The “Beijing” back in Hamburg was “a great moment,” said Hamburg Culture Senator Carsten Brosda (SPD). “This is the maritime history that is returning to the heart of the Port of Hamburg. In the last few days you have already noticed in the city how great the emotion is among the citizens.”

Greetings for the Stör bombing

The “Beijing” had the first challenge, the last It was extensively restored over three years for 38 million euros, already taken in the morning. When the sailor passed through the eye of the Stör bombardment, cheers and applause erupted. Because here it applies: nature rules. Only at high tide does a ship like the 115-meter long “Beijing” pass through the small barrage that connects the Stör with the Elbe. At 22 meters, it is only seven meters wider than “Peking”. That is why the last sailing trip started very early in the morning. Furthermore, the transverse masts, that is, the shipyards of the sailboat, had to be flown, that is, folded. Otherwise, the “Beijing” would not have come through the door.

With two tugboats to Hamburg

After passing the Stör bombardment, the following maneuver came: the shipyards flew again, that is, they were positioned again across the ship. With the help of brass winches, the mast cross bars were positioned at a 90 degree angle to the ship. We continue up the Elbe accompanied by the two tugs “Wulf 3” and “Wulf 5”. Powerful tugs were necessary to properly maneuver the “Beijing”.

Pause at Twielenfleth

At Twielenfleth we continue after a five hour break. Although the boat only has a draft of four meters, according to Captain Ben Lodemann, the tide was still necessary to get the boat safely to Hamburg: “The berth in Hamburg only has this draft for the boat at rest. But we have also there are tugboats and they need some room to maneuver. ” While waiting for the water, the ship was not anchored, but continued sailing. Therefore, other ships were ordered to keep a distance of at least 50 meters from Beijing.

Viermaster is over 100 years old

the “Beijing” was built in 1911 by Blohm + Voss. She is one of the legendary Flying P-Liners of the F. Laeisz shipping company, who were famous for their speed and safety. Almost three years ago the ship was brought from New York to Germany, where it was extensively restored at the Peters shipyard in Wewelsfleth. The four master was previously ill on the dock at the South Street Seaport Museum.