SCHNELLDAMPFER KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE
TWO DECADES OF ATLANTIC DOMINATION.
The two large German shipping companies, Norddeutscher Lloyd of Bremen and the Hamburg-Amerika-Pakketfahrt-Aktien-Gesellschaft, HAPAG, had always been major contenders on te North Atlantic. In the 1890's the competition was very keen and German tonnage was increasing rapidly. The Norddeutscher Lloyd had long realised that large fast ships were likely tot attract a high percentage of Continental, British and American passengers and therefore were
looking for designs that could meet their standards to fullfill this.
The proposed design for the new series of schnelldampfer by Robert Zimmer.
Prior to the construction of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse much research , debate and board meetings took place between the Norddeutscher Lloyd Generaldirektor Heinrich Wiegand , the Norddeutscher Lloyd Chef Ingenieur Dietrich Walter and the design and construction-department of the Vulcan Shipyard in Stettin. Reason for those meetings were the 15 years of experience the Norddeutscher Lloyd had aquired in the operation of schnelldampfer express services. The meetings led to the following outcomes: 1 The highest degree of safety possible, this to be obtained by the use of watertight bulkheads. The British built Campania and Lucania were the safest schnelldampfer in the world, fitted with thirteen watertight longitudinal bulkheads each. The Norddeutscher Lloyd decided their new schnelldampfer was to have at least 16 extra strengthened longitudinal watertight bulkheads, with the extra addition of transverse watertight bulkheads dividing the boiler rooms and
transverse watertight bulkheads sealing of each of the engines. 2 Rearranging the passenger capacity on the new schnelldampfer in such a way the complete middle section of the ship would be for the 1st Class, (The middle section of the ship being the best part favoring the least amount of vibration) the aft section of the ship for 2nd Class and the forward section of the ship for 3rd Class. In addition the crew's quarters would be positioned nearby their working areas as much as possible and the foodstorages located directly around the bars and restaurants to avoid to much travel with the catering. 3 The best passenger arrangements possible with the demand of Heinrich Wiegand all open deck area's midships should be available for 1st Class only. Norrdeutscher Lloyd Direktor Wiegand as well demanded all upperdeck area to be used for passenger occupation only.
Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse in the process of plating at the Vulcan Shipyard in Stettin.
As a result of these arrangements traffic of the crew between fore and aft of the ship practically was reduced to zero. On board the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, the public areas between the different classes were restricted, offering quiet and calm walks for passengers thus again less traffic between the fore and aft end of the ship. Regarding the speed of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse it was the aim to offer a weekly express service out-and home bound,with the restriction to embark the passenger during daylight., To achieve this it was calculated the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse needed to be able to travel from Bremen to New York at an average continuous 21 knot speed. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse easily exceeded this speed, her speed even continuously increasing throughout her career, meeting the demands of the Norddeutscher Lloyd's weekly express service. The contract for the built was signed in October 1895 and publicly announced the 2nd of November. While a heavy winter, ass well as delivery problems of important elements halted the construction of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, her launch had to be pushed forward from 15 Februari 1897 to the 4th of May 1897, this in compliance with the Vulcan Shipyard. The launch of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was turned into a special event and the Kaiser himself would be present to start the ceremony of the launch. The Kaiser since long showed great interest in the built of the Kaiser Wilhelm
der Grosse, as this ship was to bear the name of his much beloved grandfather. The Kaiser also had great interest in the Norddeutscher Lloyd and the Vulcan Shipyard as he personally was involved bringing shipbuiling back in German hands and this was the first time ever he would be present at the launch of a merchant ship. The Kaiser arrived at the Vulcan Shipyard by train at 11:20 , the 4th of May, 1897.
Here he was welcomed by Oberpresident von Pommeren, Staatsminister Puttkamer and the Stettin Polizeipresident Dr. von Zander and boarded the dampfer Neptun which took him and his staff to the Vulcan shipyard for the ceremony.
The Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse fully plated and nearing completion for her launch.
At the left the platform can be seen where the Kaiser would start the ceremony.
Dressed in his Admirals Uniform the Kaiser left the ship to meet the shipyard's Direktors who would lead him to the platform directly in front of the Wilhelm der Grosse for the ceremony. Many highly positioned people were present and gave the Kaiser a very warm welcome. Amongst these people were General von Blomberg, former minister von Koller, Government President von Sommerfeld, Stettins President Hermann Haken, Railwaypresident Heinsius, Admiral Buchsel, the Navy's Chief Construction Engineer Dietrich and many others. Chief Engineer Steck gave the signal and the lines were cut
after which the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse gently and sucessfull slided into the river Oder for the first time. After the launch the Kaiser was invited to have lunch at the Stettiner's Presidential residence.
The enormous rudder of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse hoisted in the position in which it can be fixed in its mount, photograph: Januari 1897 , Vulcan Shipyard Stettin
KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE: THE PHOTO ARCHIVE
LAUNCH AND CONSTRUCTION
The Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse leaving her builders Vulcan Shipyard,Stettin. Her stern is given extra buoyancy needed to give the huge vessel more under keel clearance as the river Oder was not deep enough to let her cross. The wooden beams support the ship.
THE START OF ATLANTIC DOMINATION
The four-funneled Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse seen at full speed on the Atlantic. Her elegant and sleek profile was designed for just one thing: Speed and domination. She proved to be an immediate record-breaker winning the desired Blue Ribband already on her first Atlantic crossing. Immediately from this moment on four funnels were associated with speed, safety and reliability by the travelers.
