The cutter slowly pushes backwards towards the quay in Glückstadt's Elbe harbour. The gusty breeze grabs the elegant clipper bow and shifts it to leeward, towards the outer jetty. But with the help of the huge tiller, a few pushes on the throttle and a little support from outside, the ship is soon safely moored. The "Rigmor von Glückstadt" is ready for the next trip with the next crew and the next guests, who are already ashore chatting and laughing. The handover of the ship goes like clockwork - and it has to, because the historic sailing ship is well booked: it sails around 65 times a year.
Wide range of travel options
For those interested the timetable of the "Rigmor is once again offering various opportunities to sail along this year. A three-hour short trip on the Elbe off Glückstadt costs 30 euros including coffee and cake for adults; children only pay half the price. The evening trips are also very popular. Sometimes longer trips are also sailed, for example to celebrate Hamburg's harbour birthday or Kiel Week. In mid-May, the "Rigmor" regularly sets course for Flensburg and takes part in the Rum Regatta.
Historic gem with an eventful history
The cutter was built as a customs cruiser at the Schröder shipyard in Glückstadt harbour in 1853, when the Danes were still in charge in Schleswig-Holstein. Today, the operators proudly call the boat the "oldest seaworthy sailing ship in Germany". In 1864, after the Danes were defeated by Austria and Prussia, the ship was towed to Hamburg as a prize. A Dane named Gerret Jacob Matzen bought it at auction at a favourable price and converted it into the cargo ship "Treue". This marked the beginning of a new career for the cutter, which from then on appeared under various names in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein.
From stone fisherman to restored traditional ship
In 1917, a certain Christen Christensen took over the ship, which had been downgraded to a stone fisherman in the meantime, and named it after his daughter Rigmor. Equipped with an engine, loading crane and wheelhouse, "Rigmor" dredged boulders from the Baltic Sea or sand and gravel from shipping channels over the following decades. With its shallow draught, it was particularly popular in small, shallow harbours. The classic was rediscovered 45 years ago by Joachim Kaiser. He is now on the board of the Hamburg Maritime Foundation and was travelling the Baltic Sea with a youth cutter at the time.
Elaborate restoration as a joint project
It was a very special feat to convince the grandees of Glückstadt that this "Rigmor" symbolised the town's maritime tradition and was therefore a worthy restoration project. 150,000 crowns, the equivalent of a good 20,000 euros, had to be raised to pack up the old, dilapidated planks. And that was just the beginning. After being transferred from Denmark to Glückstadt in autumn 1992, it would take eight years before the ship was restored to its original condition.
Authenticity and modern security
Today, authenticity is a top priority: manual anchor capstans, leather-covered blocks, beaten cordage, neat splices and rigging, galvanised iron fittings and a gigantic, curved oak tiller mounted on a wooden rowing coker. Almost everything as it was back then. Not only did a galley have to be installed in the bow for operation with passengers, but also a toilet with waste water tank aft. In the engine room right next door, a restored 63 hp Bukh diesel roars when sailing has a break.
Technical data "Rigmor von Glückstadt"
- Lüa (incl. bowsprit): 21,25 m
- Hull length: 15.90 m
- Width: 3.85 m
- Draught: 1.45 m
- Sail area: 129.0 m²
- Engine: Bukh diesel, 63 hp
