History - Kaiser Friedrich Bootstouren

Sleeping Giant: History’s Wake-up Call.

For ten years, the Kaiser Friedrich lay motionless in front of the Berlin Museum of Technology – a silent witness to bygone eras that deeply moved us, Volker and Julius. We could no longer bear to see this historic gem trapped in a Sleeping Beauty slumber.

1886Stettiner Oderwerker Maschinenfabrik und Schiffsbauwerft AG

Construction of the “Kaiserflotte”

In 1886, the Stettiner Oderwerker Maschinenfabrik und Schiffsbauwerft AG was commissioned to build six vessels of the so-called Kaiser class. In Grabow near Stettin, construction began on the steamship first christened Kaiser Friedrich. With a capacity for 291 passengers and impressive dimensions—31 meters in length and 5 meters in width—the Kaiser Friedrich featured a freeboard of 2.50 meters and a loaded draft of 1.40 meters. Propulsion was provided by two stationary, double-expansion steam engines with injection condensation, generating 65 HP at 180 RPM. Its fire-tube boiler offered a heating surface of 50 m² to produce the necessary steam. Thus, the Kaiser Friedrich laid the foundation for a long maritime history on Berlin’s waterways.

1889 Transfer to Berlin

Schifffahrt Kaiser Friedrich im Jahr 1920

Ship christening

In 1889, the young Kaiser Friedrich experienced a pivotal turn in her history: after the bankruptcy of Stettiner Lloyd, the Spree-Havel Steamship Company Stern took over the already completed steamer and officially named her “Kaiser Friedrich.” With this renaming began a notable career on Berlin’s waterways. The ship quickly became a popular means of transport, carrying numerous passengers through the capital’s rivers and canals. This new phase ensured that the Kaiser Friedrich was recognized not only as a steamer but also as part of Berlin’s identity.

1914Refit of the steamship

Refit of the steamship

In 1914, a major refit of the Kaiser Friedrich was carried out. Until then, the ship had a low freeboard and raised cabins, giving it a stepped appearance. The rebuild produced a smooth, continuous deck, significantly enhancing both seaworthiness and passenger comfort. These modernizations were essential to keep the Kaiser Friedrich competitive in the changing maritime landscape and to ensure a pleasant journey.

1920sYears of recession

Challenges and Renaming

In the 1920s, the Spree-Havel Steamship Company Stern was in crisis and fought hard for its survival. From 1914 until the end of 1929, the company was barely profitable. As of 1918, the steamer was renamed “Siegfried,” and in 1934 it was sold to the Grise shipping company. This renaming was done for cost-saving reasons, and the old brass letters spelling “Kaiser Friedrich” were reused—a pragmatic decision, in the Grise brothers’ view. Despite these challenges, the ship maintained its place in Berlin’s waterways.

1944Pre-war and wartime periods

Passenger traffic

In June 1944, the Siegfried was requisitioned by the BVG (Berlin Transport Authority) for its passenger shipping service due to a fuel shortage for the bus lines. The ship was given a camouflage paint scheme and was used for passenger transport until July 17, 1944. This return to active duty underscores the versatility and importance of the Siegfried at a time when mobility was critical for the city’s inhabitants.

1945Post-war period and resumption of service.

Resumption of passenger shipping

After the end of World War II, on May 31, 1945, BVG’s passenger shipping service was reestablished, and the Siegfried was once again among the vessels keeping traffic on Berlin’s waterways. With Germany’s division, Spandau became the ship’s new home port, and it remained certified for 291 passengers. This return to service was a vital part of society’s reconstruction, enabling people to rediscover and reconnect with the city.

1950-1967Charter with Stern und Kreisschifffahrt

The only steamer in its original condition.

In the 1950s and ’60s, the Kaiser Friedrich sailed as the last and only Berlin steamer in its original condition on charter with Stern und Kreisschifffahrt. From 1965 to 1968 she plied the Tegel–Spandau–Pfaueninsel route, offering passengers a truly nostalgic experience. These voyages marked a return to the roots of steam navigation and preserved a piece of Berlin tradition that increasingly struggled to compete in the fast-paced, modern traffic.

1967Decommissioning and conversion plans

Decommissioning and conversion plans

In 1967, the Kaiser Friedrich was decommissioned and her engines were removed, as she remained unused. After her decommissioning in autumn 1968, proposals were made to convert the steamer into a hospitality and event venue. Although she received a fresh coat of paint in 1972, no further use materialized. Following a change of ownership, the Kaiser Friedrich was eventually repurposed as a residential and office vessel at Burgwall in Spandau and later in the Plötzenseer Kolk. Sadly, this period marked another decline in the preservation of this historic steamer.

1993The Museum of Transport and Technology acquires the Kaiser Friedrich.

Schifffahrt Kaiser Friedrich im Jahr 1993

Refit and Return to the Water

In 1993, the Museum of Transport and Technology acquired the Kaiser Friedrich to restore Berlin’s last steamer to operational condition. The vessel was rebuilt in Dresden-Laubegast, replacing its original steam engines with two high-pressure, oil-fired units. On April 27, 1994, the Kaiser Friedrich was ceremonially rechristened. From May 1, 1994, she resumed cruises on the inner-city Spree. However, the high staffing requirements and substantial diesel consumption soon made the operation uneconomical and environmentally questionable, resulting in a reduction of service.

2012Transfer to the German Museum of Technology.

Further Decommissioning and Disrepair

From 2012 onward, the Kaiser Friedrich lay moored at Schleuseninsel in the Tiergarten. After a failed attempt to return her to regular service, she was transferred into the custody of the German Museum of Technology. With no interested party found to operate the historic vessel, the Kaiser Friedrich fell into disrepair. Only in 2017, during a shipyard stay, were hull defects remedied. By 2021, the ship was in poor condition and no longer seaworthy, and she remained laid up at Schleuseninsel.

2023Julius Dahmen and Volker Marhold acquire the vessel.

Reawakening and Modernization

With serious purchase intentions, Julius Dahmen and Volker Marhold approached the museum in 2023 and acquired the Kaiser Friedrich as the new owners through Dahmen & Marhold GbR (Reederei Berliner Welle). Beginning in March 2023, the vessel underwent an extensive refit at the Genthin shipyard in Saxony-Anhalt and was equipped with a modern propulsion system: a Torqeedo Deep Blue high-performance drive. This marked a significant step toward the steamer’s sustainability and modernization.

2024First voyage after intensive motorization.

Return to passenger service.

On May 4, 2024, the Kaiser Friedrich completed her first voyage with the new propulsion system. Her berth is now in the historic harbor in central Berlin. From May 13, Berliners and visitors can enjoy an eco-friendly city tour aboard the legendary passenger ship in “Spree-Athen.” By night, during the three-and-a-half-hour Old Berlin Beer Evening, the city’s most famous vessel transforms into a floating beer garden, offering a unique experience for all who wish to rediscover Berlin’s waterways.