Tradition ship Astartte” returns to the maritime days after Bremerhaven

Tradition ship Astartte” returns to the maritime days after Bremerhaven

In the maritime world there is hardly a ship with as much story as the "Astarte". This deep -sea dyder, who went off the stack of August Albers in 1903 in the building yard in Süderelbe, has had over 120 years of shipping tradition and is now an impressive example of restoration work and cultural heritage. In the upcoming “Maritime Days” in Bremerhaven, which will take place from August 14 to 18, 2024, the “Astarte” will be the focus again. As one of the last Finkenwerder cutter, she presents herself as a "precious maritime monument" of Germany, as described by the Sail Training Association Germany.

The Schiffergilde Bremen, which is responsible for the maintenance and restoration of the ship, has invested a lot in the preservation of the "Astarte". In the last winter, both the aft stoves and the front of the ship have been comprehensively overhauled and now the two masts that were rebuilt in autumn 2023 are again in the best form and willing to drive the waters of the North and Baltic Sea.

a long story on the high lake

Despite their impressive dimensions of 27 meters in length and 6.1 meters width, the "Astarte" was never just a sports or traditional ship. It was originally used as a fishing boat and was active in fishing for the Külper family from Finkenwerder until 1952. The fishing sign "HF 244" is still its trademark and is reminiscent of their roots in fishing. Even if it has been equipped with an auxiliary engine since 1912, the sailing operation remains the heart of this era.

After their active time in fishing, the “Astarte” was sold and served as a research cutter for the Senckenberg Institute in Wilhelmshaven. In 1978 the Schiffergilde Bremen acquired the strongly changed cutter and set itself the goal of relocating it to the original condition. The restoration took place with the help of original plans from the Altona Museum in Hamburg after the guild discovered it in 1979. Experts worked closely to restore the "Astarte" and at the same time incorporate modern security and navigation standards.

The comprehensive restoration was completed in 2002, with around 250,000 euros have been investing in the “Astarte” to date. The Schiffergilde Bremerhaven, as a non -profit association, rely on donations to preserve the tradition and maritimacy of this historical ship. References to the generated support from the economy and the state of Bremen are also part of the success story of this monument.

Back to the home port

After shorter trips, including a trip to Kiel Week, the "Astarte" is now returning to Bremerhaven to take part in the "maritime days". During this event, you and many other ships will attract numerous visitors who can enjoy the maritime flair and the historical encounters. A special highlight will be the meeting of 80 ships and 60 concerts, which underlines the cultural depth of the region.

The name "Astarte" not only has the reference to its history, but also symbolically refers to a goddess of the seafarer, which the stately cutter proudly fulfills. Your return is not only an exciting event for maritime enthusiasts, but also an important signal for the preservation of maritime traditions in Germany that remain alive here in Bremerhaven.

For more information on this exciting topic, See the current reporting on www.merkur.de .