Tugboat “Württemberg”

German title: Schleppdampfer “Württemberg”
Scale: 1:100
Length: 67 cm
Width: 15 cm
Height: 11 cm
Degree of difficulty: 2 (moderately difficult)
Number of sheets: 5.5

For 65 years the impressive Elbeschleppdampfer "Wuerttemberg" transported his burdens on the Elbe. The order for the construction of the ship came from "new German-Bohemian Elbeschiffahrt AG" in Dresden. The ship horse mildly built as of 1908 the shipyard and engineering works brothers Saxon mountain and it could run from the stack in March 1909 into.
The shipping company named you ships with pleasure to the federal states of the empire. So the steamer got the name "Wuerttemberg".
The first captain of the ship also employed his three sons on board next to which led to the nickname "family steamer". The family was very musical now, too and practised with her musical instruments in the low leisure time as much as possible. Therefore the captain signed on if possible teams, which also played instruments. So became known to the Wuerttemberg in the twenties also as a "music steamer".
He experienced a varied story. The financial situation of the operator was difficult, so that the Free State of Saxony came to help and one of the major shareholders became. When in the second World War staff of the tractor was retracted into the war, even Chinese, Ukrainian and French forced labour convicts worked here. Under the war the ship also had to suffer admittedly itself and the damages of the air raids had to be repaired once after end of the war. The operator company changed into a state possession now and "Elbeschiffahrt Saxony" was said as of now, however, still changed within the next years a few times owners and names. The more favourable use of engine ships made the steamers increasing rarely, though. This one was away still "Wuerttemberg" as the only side wheel tug on the Elbe in 1972. She ended her long office hours with a solemn honour journey on April 30th, 1974. She led the traditional parade of the "white fleet" in Magdeburg.
She had put 800.000 km back approximately and transported two billion ton kilometres at her journey between Hamburg and the Czech city of Usti nad Labem (Aussig) in all the years.
However, what should happen with the ship? To get it, one decided on the reorganisation into a museum and restaurant ship. He was completed in 1976. The really remarkable ship is part of the municipal park "Rotehorn" in Magdeburg now. The public can admire a unique witness to the technology and navigation story on the spot since then.
The carton model represents the original state at the launching. The steamer itself was rebuilt repeatedly and painted differently.
The two-cylinder steam-driven engine did 625 hp at approx. 40 turns in the minute. At a check after 44 operating years the performance was still fully received! 3.600 t with 4 km/h could the Wuerttemberg draw 15 km/h upstream and downstream with that.