As the era of large cargo-carrying sailing ships came to an end in the 1920s, one man bucked the trend: Gustaf Eriksson bought windjammers that were no longer needed at ridiculously low prices. From then on, they sailed under the flag of the Åland Islands, including many former Flying P-Liners of the legendary Hamburg shipping company F. Laeisz, such as the four-masted barques "Pommern", "Pamir" and "Passat". The last two belonged to the so-called eight sisters, some of which were identical ships from the heyday of F. Laeisz at the beginning of the 20th century.
"Passat" wins the last trophy
In the 1930s, they were used by the enterprising Gustaf Eriksson on the last route on which they were still competitive: the wheat voyage from Australia to Europe. Regular regattas were held every year. These races ran from Australia to Europe via the notorious Cape Horn.
Fame and honour were paramount, but financial rewards for the fastest crossing also increased the incentive. The regattas began after the loading of wheat in the Spencer Gulf and put the ships to the test. The last of these prestigious regattas via Cape Horn took place in 1949 - between the "Pamir" and the "Passat". The "Passat" won this last duel. In total, it won this remaining trophy for cargo sailing four times.
As training ships to South America
But even when Gustav Eriksson could no longer keep the ships running profitably, their career was not over. Instead of ending up with the scrapper, the pair now became training ships. A dedicated interest group secured the future of the "Passat" together with the "Pamir" and transferred them to Travemünde.
With the support of Howaldtswerke in Kiel, they were converted into cargo-carrying sailing training ships - including the installation of a Krupp diesel engine with 900 hp each. In 1952, the "Passat" embarked on its first voyage as a sail training ship under Captain Hermann Heuer, heading for South America.
Only one of the sisters returns home
But the fact that they were also carrying cargo was their undoing: in 1957, the "Pamir" sank in the South Atlantic when its cargo shifted in a hurricane. 80 sailors died. The "Passat" was lucky to escape the same fate: in November of the same year, it was caught in a severe storm south-west of the Bay of Biscay on its return voyage from Buenos Aires.
She battled a hurricane for four days, during which her cargo of barley slipped and caused the ship to lean dangerously. However, the ship was able to avoid capsizing and call at Lisbon. After reloading the barley, she continued her voyage to Hamburg, where the "Passat", having barely escaped fate, was nevertheless decommissioned.
A living monument to its era
In 1959, the Hanseatic City of Lübeck acquired the "Passat" and brought her to her current berth on the Priwallufer in Travemünde. She initially served as a training centre for the Schleswig-Holstein Seamen's School. From 1966, she was used as a museum and international meeting centre, and later as a youth hostel with modern facilities, although original details such as the pigsties on the forecastle have been preserved.
In 1979, members of the Lübeck sports committee finally founded the Save the Passat" associationwho takes care of her preservation. While all that remains of the "Pamir" is a wrecked lifeboat in the Jakobikirche in Lübeck, the "Passat" exists as a a living monument to its era and German maritime history.
Technical data of the "Passat" (1911)
- Four-masted barque, cargo sailing ship
- Shipyard: Blohm+Voss, Hamburg
- Hull material: steel
- Length (overall): 115.0 m
- Height (main mast): 53.1 m
- Sail area: 4,100 m2
- Speed (sails): 17.4 kn
- Berth: Passathafen, Travemünde
Information for visitors
Using diary entries, the exhibition tells the story of the life and work of a ship's boy on the legendary Flying P-Liner. The Travemünde landmark is a museum ship, event venue and accommodation. From April to October, visitors can stay in one of the 102 berths. The association Rettet die Passat e. V. offers guided tours (max. 25 people): 70 euros plus sightseeing fee. E-mail: fuehrungen@rettetdiepassat.de
Opening hours: 01/04 - 04/05 and 29/09 - 31/10 from 11am to 4.30pm; 05/05 - 28/09 from 10am to 5pm.
Prices: Adults: 7 euros, children from 6 to 17 years: 3.50 euros, discount for groups and families, free admission for children under 6 years and holders of the Lübeck holiday pass.
Travelling by boat: Passathafen on the Priwall. Tel.: 0451/ 12287610, mobile: 0151/ 20402479. Information is available on the website of the city of Lübeck. luebeck.de
