History:

The ship was built for the Seewasserstraßenamt Cuxhaven (the authority responsible for the waterways around Cuxhaven) to replace the original Elbe 1 or "Bürgermeister O'Swald (I)" which sank under dramatic circumstances on the 27th of October 1936.

She was built by Jos. L. Meyer, Papenburg, Ems. The estimated cost was 1,500,000 Reichsmark but the actual cost turned out to be 1,513,628 DM.

The keel was laid down on the 4th September 1941

and she was launched on the 2nd June 1943.

Building was held up by WWII and the ship was sunk in the Papenburg Harbour to protect her form being destroyed by overzealous German officers who wanted to stop her form falling into enemy hands. After the war she raised again, but it took a while to finish her, because of the lack of materials.

So it was not until the 4th of October 1948 did the test runs take place

and she finally was commissioned on the 8th November 1948.

A day later she went to her station.

From that day on the largest light vessel in the world did her duty at sea. And that despite the fact that she also became the most rammed light vessel in the world.

She survived 50 collisions, the worst in March 1970, when even the huge engine had to be replaced.

On the 17th October 1970 the position was changed from 53° 59' 57" North, 08° 10' 40" East to 54° 00' 00'' North, 08° 10' 03'' East

On the 22nd of April 1988 ELBE 1 is one of the last manned German Lightvessels to be de-commissioned. The station is now guarded by a buoy and the station is renamed "Elbe".

Today the vessel is looked after by a group of enthusiasts "Feuerschiff-Verein ELBE 1 von 2001 e.V. Cuxhaven". She has been restored extensively and work goes on. Fairly recently she has received her Seaworthiness Certificates. Not only is she open to the public and visitors can explore the whole ship, but also she is used for trips, a vital contribution to the financial strain of maintaining an old lady like this magnificent ship! Interested visitors can, for payment of the costs, take part in these journeys and on journeys of several days, stay in the historically restored crew quarters, eat on the weather proofed former deck and let the crew of ELBE 1 spoil you.

A radio station of the Cuxhaven Radio Amateurs (DL0CUX) is on board. This can be used by visitors with a valid Amateur Radio Licence both when visiting the ship in Cuxhaven and on journeys. The former ships carpenters workshop and hobby room of the crew - the so-called Timmermannshuuk - has been appropriately converted to a room for functions. The officer's mess, also a traditional room, today serves as a wedding room for the Cuxhaven Register Office. Couples can arrange to enter the "Port of Marriage" here.

Here you can find an article about a trip on the world´s largest light vessel ELBE 1.


Location of the ship:
Lightship ELBE 1
Bollwerk ALTE LIEBE
Cuxhaven, Germany

Opening times:
April until October:
Tuesday to Sunday (and Bank Holidays) from 11 am until 4 pm

Entrance fee:
Adults: 2,50 €
Children (aged 6-16): 1,50 €
Families: 6,50 €

For further information (in German):
http://www.feuerschiff-elbe1.de/HAUPT.HTM