Doesn’t the Alexandra look majestic? This coal-fired steam ship has a history as deep as the Flensburg Fjord itself. Today, we’ll journey back in time to uncover the secrets of the Alexandra. This ship is more than just a pretty vessel. She’s a symbol of Flensburg’s maritime past.
The Alexandra was built in Hamburg in 1908. The Janssen & Schmilinsky shipyard constructed the ship for the Vereinigte Flensburg-Ekensunder. Princess Alexandra christened the ship. On May 31, 1908, the ship was handed over to the shipping company.
For years, the Alexandra sailed the Flensburg Fjord. During World War I, it served as an outpost boat. After the war, the Alexandra returned to liner service. In 1934, the Vereinigte was disbanded. The Förde-Reederei GmbH took over the Alexandra.
Did you know the Alexandra played a role in the 1936 Olympic Games? It served as a regatta escort ship in the Kiel Fjord. Later, it became a pilot transfer steamer in the Baltic Sea. It was even used as a diving vehicle. The ship also served as a torpedo fishing boat in Gdańsk Bay.
In 1945, the Alexandra helped evacuate people from Königsberg. It transported wounded soldiers and refugees across the Baltic Sea. The ship returned to Schleswig-Holstein with refugees.
From 1946 to 1975, the Alexandra sailed between Flensburg and Glücksburg. It was again an escort ship for the regattas during the 1972 Olympic Games. Sadly, the Alexandra was decommissioned in 1975 because it wasn’t profitable. It sat in the port of Flensburg and began to decay.
But the story of the Alexandra doesn’t end there. A group called “Save Alexandra” formed. In 1979, they created the “Association for the Promotion of Steam-Driven Fördeschiffe e. V.”. This later became Förderverein Salondampfer Alexandra e. V. The ship was repaired between 1980 and 1982. In 1982, it was recognized as a cultural monument.
In 1986, the shipping company gave the steamer to the association. The association had to completely repair the ship. The federal government, state, and employment office subsidized the costs. The renovation began in 1987. The ship returned to Flensburg in 1988.
Since 1989, the Alexandra has been a regular ferry. It sails on the Flensburg Fjord from May to September. The Alexandra was officially registered in the Schleswig-Holstein monuments book in 1990. Since 1991, the steamer has participated in Kiel Week.
Europe’s largest regular steam meeting is hosted by the Alexandra since 1993. It’s measured by horsepower and is called the Flensburger Dampf Rundum.
The Alexandra has undergone many renovations. In 1997, there was a major machine overhaul. In 1999, the ship got a new propeller. It received a safety certificate in 2002. In 2006, there was extensive renovation work. A crack in the boiler was repaired in 2013. In 2016, there was an extensive hull renovation.
The Alexandra celebrated its 110th birthday in 2018. The ship has new lifeboats based on old models. The corona pandemic cancelled all trips in 2020. Extensive restoration work took place.
The Alexandra continues to sail. It’s a testament to the dedication of those who saved it. As you stand here, imagine the countless journeys this ship has made. The Alexandra is a living piece of history. It connects us to Flensburg’s past. Its story is still being written.