SAFETY OF SAILING: LIGHTVESSELS BUILT IN KAISERLICHE WERFT DANZIG

Abstract

The safety of navigation in the Baltic and the North Sea was an important issue for the Prussian state, especially since large funds appeared after winning the war with France at the end of the 19th century. Thus, not only were lightvessels built and placed in places dangerous for navigation, but also lighthouses, shore rescue stations, etc. Shipyards located in the North Sea and Baltic Sea regions were involved in the construction of lightvessels. The Kaiserliche Werft Danzig shipyard, known for the production of war-ships, received an order to build as many as 7 lightvessels in the years 1871-1904. They were succes-sively named: Aussen Jade, Minsener Sand, Adlergrund I, Adlergrund II, Stollergrund I, Stollergrund II, and Bülk. They were exhibited in various places also during the war. Brief assessments of the ships mentioned are included in this study.