In June 1926, the four-masted barque "Padua" was launched in Bremerhaven - as the last freight sailing ship in the world to be built entirely without an engine. After the war, the Russians renamed the ship "Kruzenshtern".
Like her well-known sister ships "Pamir" and "Passat", the "Padua" is one of the legendary Flying P liners, built for the renowned Hamburg shipping company F. Laeisz. Since then renamed "Kruzenshtern", she is the only barque from the series still in service at sea today. After her launch, the "Padua" undertakes voyages to Chile and Australia, from where she transports wheat and saltpetre.
The "Padua" in the film
The "Padua" - later "Kruzenshtern" - is the last cargo ship in the world to be launched without an auxiliary engine. The four-masted barque was built for the Hamburg shipping company Laeisz.The ship was used for filming early on:the "Padua" sailed to Madeira and Casablanca in 1935 and acted there in the film "The Mutiny on the Elsinore". In 1940, filming is on the program in Stettin, and in 1943 the bark is the backdrop to the Hans Albers film "Große Freiheit Nr. 7".
In addition to her film appearances, the "Padua" mainly undertook training trips on the Baltic Sea during the Second World War. In 1943, according to unconfirmed reports, the Germans even equipped the ship with a cannon. However, enemy detection doesn't work really well. The only reported "success" of the conversion action is allegedly the accidental shooting down of a German aircraft. In addition, the "Padua" is said to have rammed a German submarine - also by mistake.
"Padua" becomes "Kruzenshtern"
At the end of the Second World War, the ship is in the port of Flensburg. From there it goes on via Hamburg, Kiel and Lübeck to Świnoujście. In January 1946 the ship was handed over to the Soviet authorities as reparations. They tow it to Kronstadt near Leningrad, overtake the four-masted barque and give it a new name:"Kruzenshtern". The namesake is the German-Baltic naval admiral Adam Johann Baron von Krusenstern, who sailed around the world for Russia for the first time between 1803 and 1806.
The "Kruzenshtern":From research ship to training ship
The "Kruzenshtern" remained in port until 1961. It was there that she also received her first diesel engine. As an oceanographic research ship, she then comes into the service of the Hydrographic Institute and undertakes voyages in the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. At this point in time, it does not yet have the painting we know today with the indicated gun flaps. Between 1968 and 1971 further conversions and modernizations take place. The "Kruzenshtern" is now a pure training ship for cadets.
At the forefront of regattas:record at "Columbus 1992"
The "Kruzenshtern" is one of the fastest old square-riggers still at sea.Since 1974, the "Kruzenshtern" has regularly taken part in regattas around the world. In addition to many prizes and awards, one record in particular stands out:On the "Columbus 1992", a transatlantic race from Boston to Liverpool on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, the ship reached a top speed of 17.4 knots, around 32 kilometers per hour Hour. The "Kruzenshtern" once again lives up to its legendary status. The four-masted barque is still one of the fastest existing square-riggers.
Technical data of the "Kruzenshtern"
Art :Four-masted barque
Year of construction :1926 by J. C. Tecklenborg, Bremerhaven (Wesermünde)
Launched :June 1926
Overall length :114.5 meters
Width :14.2 meters
Draft :6.7 meters
Maximum Mast height :55 meters
Sail area :3,553 m²
Nation :Russia
Owner :Baltic State Fishing Fleet Academy, Kaliningrad
Home Port :Kaliningrad
Sailing on the "Kruzenshtern"
Interested private individuals can now sail on the "Kruzenshtern", both as passengers on day trips and as trainees on longer trips together with Russian cadets. The "Kruzenshtern" is also a regular guest at tall ship meetings, such as the Hanse Sail in Rostock and the Hamburg Harbor Birthday. She also takes paying guests on board for these events.
06/11/2021 12:55 p.m
Editor's note:In an earlier version of the article, we stated June 11, 1926 for the launch of the "Padua". We now have various sources that give different dates in June 1926. Until a final clarification we date the launch to June 1926.