KAISER WILHELM

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Paddle wheeler suffered bottom touches on the Elbe

On May 24, 2025, the 'Kaiser Wilhelm' with 116 passengers on board touched the bottom of the Elbe several times due to low water levels. At around 10:45 a.m., the first slight grounding occurred at the silted-up entrance to Bleckede port. The Elbe had a depth of only 5.32 meters there, which was a critical water level for the ship. There were several slight groundings, but it arrived safely in Hitzacker." For safety reasons, the steam engine was temporarily stopped to prevent water from entering the boilers. During the evening, on the return trip the paddle wheeler grounded again at river kilometer 550 near the northwestern harbour entrance of Bleckede,in the immediate vicinity of the ferry terminal. A sandbank blocked the ship as it reversed. The 'Kaiser Wilhelm' remained stuck for almost 30 minutes. Through precise maneuvering, Captain Reich finally managed to free the ship and turn it around.

Paddle wheeler disabled in Hamburg

The "Kaiser Wilhelm", 191 dwt, suffered a broken shaft of a paddle wheel on Aug 6 on the Elbe in Hamburg after having set sail with 270 passengers on board at 2.30 p.m. With the help of wind and current, the ship was able to safely dock, but was unable to proceed any more. The ship berthed at the Holthusen Quay and and was then towed back to Lauenburg at 8.30 p.m. by the German tank barge "Nautic", 1230 ts (EU-No.: 05300160). At the Hitzler Shipyard, experts were to assess the damage in the coming days and initiate the necessary repairs. The passengers were carried home by bus. German report with photo: https://www.shz.de/regionales/hamburg/radschaden-am-kaiser-wilhelm-passagiere-muessen-mit-bus-nach-hause-id17500071.html