Express steamer “KAISER WILHELM THE GREAT” (1897–1914)
When it was launched on May 4, 1897, the “KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE” was the largest ship in the world. Six months later, the ship won the “Blue Ribbon” for the fastest Atlantic crossing. The four-chimney steamer was a mixture of a luxury ship for wealthy tourists and a means of transport for emigrants. In the winter of 1913/14 it was completely converted into an emigration ship.
The first and second class cabins were almost all on the upper deck of the “KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE”. The tween deck passengers slept in dormitories. There were two bunks on top of each other. The upper and lower berths were about 1.80 meters long and around 50 centimeters wide. The food was eaten in special dining rooms for tween deck passengers.
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Technical specifications |
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Shipyard: |
AG Vulcan, Stettin |
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Construction year: |
1897 |
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Usage: |
Freight and passenger transport |
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Shipping company: |
Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen |
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Length: |
197,7 Meter |
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Width: |
20,13 Meter |
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Cross room content: |
14.349 Bruttoregistertons |
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Passenger: |
1st class: 340, 2nd class: 1346, tween deck: 1,074 |
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Whereabouts: |
On August 26, 1914, the British cruiser “HIGHFLYER” posed in front of Rio del Oro. Sinking himself after firing his own ammunition. |
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“KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE”, about 1900
“KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE”, about 1900
Model of “KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE”