Raderboot

History

The paddle steamer "SIEGFRIED" was contructed in 1880 at the shipyard of L. Smit & Zn at Kinderdijk on behalf of the shipping company "Maas & Rijn".

Tonnage: 211 tons.
Lenght: 74,60 m.
Width over the paddle-boxes: 14,00 m.
Maximum draught: 1,72 m.
Propulsion: 2-cylinder compound steam engine: 500 hp.
Number of passengers: 1190.

harderwijk

The "SIEGFRIED" was, together with her running mate "CHRIEMHILDE", rented to the Nederlandsche Stoomboot Reederij (NSR) of Rotterdam. The NSR obtained the ownership in 1886. The "SIEGFRIED" was the first of a new series of standardized paddle steamers. These "company-boats", as they were called, with their sea green and white colors were part of the river Rhine image for many years. They were contructed to carry passengers as well as general cargo. The large decks could be used for carrying general cargo covered with tarpaulins. In her long life the "SIEGFRIED" has been reconstructed many times. The model shows the ship as she looked after a reconstruction in 1918. Although the company Bart makes serious effort to construct ship models as historical reliable as possible, it is a problem to deal with the unknown details. Such a restriction is certainly applicable for this model of the "SIEGFRIED". This stately paddle steamer sailed many years with incomparable dignity on her route between Rotterdam and Mannheim. She was sold in 1931 and recontructed as a floating restaurant.