Posted on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 by Peter Knego
Yet another classic liner, the 1951-built GEORG BüCHNER, has been consigned to the scrappers. The world’s last bona fide combi-liner has enjoyed a low key existence at Rostock, Germany, since 1977.
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2013 Passenger Ships Desk Calendar by Peter Knego
All Photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2001, unless otherwise noted.
MV GEORG BüCHNER at Rostock-Schmarl.
UPDATE: On January 8, local sources reported that the ship’s hull was being inspected, all portholes and valves sealed and everything on board battened down to prepare the GEORG BüCHNER for her tow to Lithuania. Apparently, the last minute Belgian attempt to save the ship for Antwerp has officially fallen through.
The end is nigh for one of the most important preserved ships in the world, the oft-overlooked GEORG BüCHNER, which was built in 1951 as Compagnie Maritime Belge’s combi-liner CHARLESVILLE. At one point in time, the oceans were filled with these hard-working colonial liners but by the late 1960s, thanks to the jumbo jet and the containerization of cargo, most were sold off for scrap. The handful that survived were rebuilt for cruising and in recent years, all of their likes were finally broken up.
MV CHARLESVILLE. Peter Knego collection.
CHARLESVILLE was one of five sister ships built for Compagnie Maritime Belge’s Congo service from Antwerp, Belgium. She originally carried 248 passengers and measured 10, 901 gross tons. In 1967, CHARLESVILLE was sold to the East German Deutsche Seereederei and renamed GEORG BüCHNER. At first, she was used on overseas service, such as trooping voyages to Cuba, before becoming a training ship. In 1977, she was berthed at Rostock-Schmarl for use as a stationary training ship and youth hostel. Over the years, most of her cargo spaces were converted into classrooms and dormitories while many of the original cabins were completely transformed into more modern, if spartan, accommodation.
GEORG BUCHNER face.
I made a special trek to Rostock-Schmarl in 2001 and spent two nights on board. While much of the ship had been rebuilt beyond recognition, there were magnificent original pockets that featured vintage fittings, rich wood paneling and artwork. I even stayed in the former captain’s cabin, which had been largely unchanged since the ship’s Belgian service.
GEORG BUCHNER Officer’s Club, facing starboard.
For a nominal fee (around 50 Euros per night), accommodation and breakfast in the beautifully paneled Officer’s Club were provided. For an additional 5 Euros, lunch was served in the largely original dining room.
GEORG BUCHNER engine room.
Although little or no English was spoken on board, the hotel staff were pleasant and the ship’s engineer was incredibly kind to provide me a tour of the engine room and a chance to film the BüCHNER from the Warnow River aboard his private boat.
The ship was moved to the Rostock City Center in 2002 and I had hoped at some point to make a return visit. Unfortunately, the GEORG BüCHNER was recently found in need of some $5 million worth of repairs and will be towed off to Lithuania for scrapping in early 2013. She is among the last of her kind and her demise will sever a precious link to a bygone world of shipping.
Peter Newall
January 1, 2013 at 2:16 am
Happy New Year Peter.
I am not surprised about this. Lisa and I visited her in June and she was in a pretty bad state with holes in the deck etc. However, she did look good externally.
Peter
Peter Knego
January 1, 2013 at 2:40 am
Happy New Year, Petah! Hope all is well. Wish I was with you two on that visit. Had been hoping for years to get back for a follow up. Sad to see her go. All my best, Peter
Kenneth Eden
January 1, 2013 at 5:22 am
Peter
Nice engine room photo, seemingly intact and well maintained.
The Officers Club remeniscent of the old PRINCESS PATRICIA, with the handsome wood and country house feel. The furnishings there are probably original, although there are two chairs with frames and upholstery that do not match the others. The painting/mural is probably from the Belgian Congo, probably well worth preserving.
What a great idea using vintage vessels as hostels, and naming them for famous playwrites.
Elias Giampuranis
January 1, 2013 at 7:29 am
i think the is plainly obvious to realize i am going to face the facts finally,,the seems to be pretty much no real interest whatsoever to preserve old passenger ships in any way in this world climate.I felt really bad when no one came forward to save the Italian Line Augustus . i thought this old Georg was relative safe, but guess not So there is no hope a for positive fate for the QE2 ,the Saga Ruby, Mona Lisa/Kunngholm ,United States. So if you like a ship that is still sailing. Go enjoy it before its to late
Andreas Wahl
January 1, 2013 at 9:37 am
Happy new year, Peter & Peter!
This is truly sad. I wasn’t aware of her bad situation. I thought she is long term preserved and that I could visit her anytime by chance on a visit to Rostock. I assume she is already closed up and ready to go? A last minute trip to the Baltic coast by train would be an option for me.
Hank
January 1, 2013 at 12:02 pm
most unfortunate… :/
I had studied a little about this liner. It would be nice if repairs could be done, but that is unlikely.
Peter Knego
January 1, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Happy New Year, everyone! Ken, the engine room was still being used for training purposes although it no longer propelled the ship. It was utterly spotless. Elias, your last sentence rings eternally true, albeit a bit late since most of the classics are now gone. With ships, one can never put things off until later. Andreas, you might try to contact the ship to see what her current status is. They only speak German and Russian on board. Even if she is closed up, it would be worth a trip to see her, especially if you could document her departure. If I had the funds to get over there right now, I would do so. Cheers, Peter.
Peter Newall
January 1, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Hello Peter.
We went round her using the original g.a. plans, which was interesting and despite our lack of German were allowed to walk round the ship. I can post some of Lisa’s photographs if you like?
By the way, all is not lost at Warnemünde/Rostock as the IGA Park and Maritime Museum is well worth a visit and only cost €4 per person. The large former East German engines aft cargo ship Dresden is perfectly preserved. In her cargo hold is a fabulous exhibition about shipbuilding at Rostock including models of some of the pre-war German liners which were converted for the USSR.
Peter
Peter Knego
January 1, 2013 at 11:12 pm
How nice, Peter! I did manage to explore just about every space on the ship in our two days aboard. We were pretty much granted access to everything I wanted to see. In the aft deck areas and promenades, there was quite a bit of decay, even then.
The Traditionschiff Typ FRIEDEN was also quite amazing. We spent most of our time on BüCHNER but loved the saloon on the other ship with its stunning wood paneling. Hope to visit again someday.
But I will still lament the loss of the BüCHNER as I am particularly fond of the undersung “Colonials”…
–Peter
Kenneth Eden
January 2, 2013 at 4:28 am
I too felt the GEORGNER was fairly well off in Rostock, apparently, this is not so.
Warnemunde and the IGA Park and Maritime Museum are a must for visitorts there. Several cruise ships call at Warremunde, we called there during a QUEEN VICTORIA cruise.
Aside from the history, vibrant WWII history, seeing the changing of the tides and the tidal flats is fascinating, as well as the museum.
Glenn Paull
January 2, 2013 at 7:07 am
Happy New Year Peter – Beautiful ship and more memories off to the archives
Shawn Dake
January 2, 2013 at 11:22 am
Sad news indeed. It seems that even some of the longest term preservation efforts have an eventual expiration date. With the news from this past year, thank goodness that QUEEN MARY, ROTTERDAM and KEEWATIN all appear to be safe for now. I first sailed past the GEORG BUCHNER in 1977, and like Peter later became fascinated by the history of the colonial liners.
Andreas Wahl
January 2, 2013 at 3:25 pm
Different sources claim that there is a small chance left for saving the vessel.
Although she was indeed sold for scrap in early December, there are belgian initiatives trying to get her home to the port of Antwerpen. The “flandrische Vereinigung für Seefahrtsgeschichte” is trying to save the ship and has already found a potential investor. The negotiations are under way since June, but missing activity on the belgian side lately forced Rostock to make a sales contract with a shipbreaker. This enforced the pressure on Antwerpen and now, this very week, a delegation from Antwerpen is visiting Rostock.
This is her very last chance. It sais, the ship will leave the port for Klaipeda on January 10th.
http://www.ndr.de/regional/mecklenburg-vorpommern/georgbuechnerrostock101.html
http://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/rostock/index_artikel_komplett.phtml?param=news&id=3647479
If you need specific translations, feel free to ask.
Peter Knego
January 2, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Fascinating, Andreas! Sounds like she has a very small chance and a limited window. It would be so appropriate to see this hard-working Belgian-built lady return “home”. Many thanks, Peter
Hankh8090@gmail.com
January 9, 2013 at 6:15 am
I would love to see it save in Belgium! And it puts it in reach of SS ROTTERDAM!
Hank
January 9, 2013 at 10:14 am
Isn’t the RMS ST. HELENA a combi-liner? Isn’t it like a liner that travels to British possessions in the Atlantic?
Bruce Nicholls
January 10, 2013 at 2:40 am
No one mentions her role as the last surviving rescue ship from the Lakonia Disaster of Christmas 1963. I had hoped to visit her sometime as my Grandfather Wilfred Nicholls died in the Lakonia sinking and his body was recovered by the then Charlesville and later buried at sea from her. Sadly this is not now going to be possible.
Dirk Steffen
January 10, 2013 at 8:55 pm
According to Rostock Harbour Captain Gisbert Ruhnke, GEORG is currently in the process of making her seaworthy for the tow. This shall take time until next week at least. Ruhnke rejects to confirm her sale for scrap and indicates that anything could happen to her – by choice of her new owners (whom he does not name).
Click here if you understand German:
http://www.ostsee-zeitung.de/rostock/index_artikel_komplett.phtml?SID=8b76bb89606386e1b878642eada8c49c¶m=news&id=3654008
I truly hope there is a future for this lovely vessel in Antwerp. I still regret not having visited her when I’ve been in Rostock for the first and last time six years ago, I only stood on the quay and admired her lines.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed, and I hope that things can be sped up in Belgium to succeed. You guys in Antwerp, please keep us updated!
VVIA vzw - Flemish Association for Industrial Archaeology
January 12, 2013 at 7:57 am
There is a lot of information and links to recent articles in the press on the webpage http://www.vvia.be/Standpunten/Charlesville.htm
The ship also seems to be listed and is mentioned on the Rostock heritage list http://www.denkmalschutz-rostock.de/files/links/denkmalliste.pdf – but this did not withhold the city to sell it for scrapp. Strange heritage habits indeed
We hope that everybody sends a letter of protest to Rostock
Peter Knego
January 16, 2013 at 2:41 pm
There may be a temporary reprieve as Belgian interests scramble to find her a home for the symbolic cost of 1 Euro. Let’s hope!
http://www.standaard.be/artikel/detail.aspx?artikelid=DMF20130116_00435321
EinRostocker
January 17, 2013 at 7:38 pm
many of you don’t know how hard it is a ship to obtain. yes, the last year was not easy for the ship. rostock could not redeem promised help. myself have worked hard for this ship and we are proud to have
hold out to this day. the belgians was the ship offered before all others and they did not want it. rostock rejected the buyback also. what would make the club do? fact is, without the club the ship would have been scrapped 12 years ago.
Conservare - heritage association
January 19, 2013 at 10:02 am
There are all kind of rumours published in Belgian and German press as if the city of Rostock is offering the Georg Büchner for a symbolic “one euro” to any Belgian organization interesting in taking over the ship.
But one is unable to find any confirmation of this offer in official sources from Rostock (nor any denial). Is it true or a hoax ?
Has anybody more information ?
Geert De Vriese
January 26, 2013 at 1:41 pm
The offer of 1 Euro is official. In Belgium the heritage organisation “Watererfgoed Vlaanderen”, with the help of other Heritage organisations, is trying to find private sponsors. At this moment there are two possible sponsors who wish to remain anonymous for the moment. Apart from that, we also need a berth in Antwerp, by preferance in an old dry-dock. The city and the port of Antwerp are reluctant to cooperate at this moment. They are not convinced that sufficient funds will be found to save the ship.
As soon as the ship is under Belgian ownership, she can be officially classified as maritime heritage under Belgian law. In this way she can get a grant from the Flemish government for up to 80% of the maintenance costs.
Things are looking better than 3 weeks ago, but she’s not saved yet. Things can still go wrong before she will be back in her original homeport Antwerp. Wish us luck!!
Gabriele Goldbeck
May 23, 2013 at 2:58 pm
The sale to a Lithuanian scrapyard was finalized yesterday (22 May and she was to Klaipeda today, however, the tug boat that was going to tow her to the scrapyard had technical problems. She will probably remain in Rostock over the weekend. Authorities still don’t have confirmation from Lithuania that she will be properly scrapped and not dumped somewhere…
Martin Cox
May 23, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for the update Gabriele
Peter Hartung
May 31, 2013 at 6:00 am
GEORG BÜCHNER SUNK TODAY UNDER TOW in the Baltic Sea near Poland. More will follow soon. Regards Peter
Peter Hartung
May 31, 2013 at 6:13 am
Ex-hotel ship sinks off coast of Poland
Rostock – Stunned head shaking at the Rostockers: Your favorite ship “Georg Büchner” has sunk off the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea.
© dpa (German press agency)
The “Georg Büchner” has sunk near the Polish coast
The former Rostock hotel and training ship “Georg Büchner” has sunk the crossing to Lithuania from the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea. Rostock Port Captain Gisbert Ruhnke confirmed Friday corresponding media reports. After that, probably destined for scrapping ship to be sunk after 20.00 clock north of Gdansk on Thursday night – people should not have found on board.
After months of controversy over its use was the ship “Georg Büchner” was towed from the port city on Tuesday. Generally it was thought that the new owners, eager to put a company out of the Seychelles it scrapped.
The ship had once been in service between Antwerp and the Belgian Congo in use. It was purchased in 1967 by the German DSR Rostock and served as a training ship. Ten years ago it had taken over the Rostock Friends of Traditional Ship and managed as a hotel ship in the port city. 2012, saw the club for economic reasons but forced to leave it.
Sorry, google translation.