Innenstadt/Jungbusch in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe
Museumsschiff Mannheim
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Mannheim Museum Ship
Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2026
1. Museumsschiff Mannheim / Mannheim Museum Ship Marker
Die reizvolle Landschaft des Mittelrheins lässt sich am eindrucksvollsten auf dem Freiluftdeck des Ausflugdampfers „Mainz“ erleben – begleitet von den Geräuschen der stampfenden Dampfmaschine und den ins Wasser schlagenden Schaufeln des Seitenradantriebes.
Dieser Artikel im Kölner Stadtanzeiger berichtet am 13. Juni 1956 vom Untergang des Schaufelraddampfers „Mainz“.
Die Havarie geschieht 1956 am Deutschen Eck in Koblenz. Das zu Berg fahrende Motorgüterschiff „Elise“ rammt die „Mainz“ kurz vor deren Anlegen im Bereich des Radkastens und schlitzt sie drei Meter lang auf. Der Dampfer sinkt innerhalb von neun Minuten und bricht beim Aufsetzen auf den Grund auseinander. Die 91 Fahrgäste und die 50 Mann Besatzung werden rechtzeitig von zu Hilfe eilenden Booten gerettet. Die „Mainz“ wird bald darauf mittels moderner Hebezeuge und Krantechnik geborgen, damit die Rheinschifffahrt ihren Verkehr ungehindert wieder aufnehmen kann.
Der Schnelldampfer „Mainz“ ist in den 1950er-Jahren als Teil der „Weißen Flotte“ eines der größten Anzeigeschiffe der Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheindampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft, hier eine Aufnahme aus der Zeit nach der Wiederherstellung des Schiffes.
Weiterführende
this page online
© Technoseum
On May 29, 1929, the paddle steamer “Mainz” was officially christened and launched. Built for the former Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheindampfschiffahrt AG, it was celebrated as the 1,000th new vessel constructed by the Christoph Ruthof shipyard in Mainz. The “Mainz” was intended to revive the great age of paddle steamers one final time, especially in the picturesque Middle Rhine Valley. However, propeller propulsion had already become standard for new vessels, and the first inland ships were already using diesel engines as their main source of power. The refined atmosphere originally intended for the ship was changed by the “Strength Through Joy” cruises held between 1933 and 1944. The excursion steamer survived the war and postwar period undamaged and returned to service in 1948. In 1956, it sank in the Rhine after an accident near Koblenz. After it was raised and before service resumed, its interior was extensively redesigned in the style of the 1950s. Operations ended in 1980. In 1985, the Braun KG shipyard in Speyer restored the last paddle steamer and converted it
Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2026
2. Museumsschiff Mannheim / Mannheim Museum Ship Marker
The picturesque landscape of the Middle Rhine can be experienced most impressively from the open-air deck of the excursion steamer “Mainz,” accompanied by the sounds of the pounding steam engine and the side wheels striking the water.
This article in the Kölner Stadtanzeiger reported on June 13, 1956, about the sinking of the paddle steamer “Mainz.”
The accident occurred at the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz in 1956. The motorized cargo ship “Elise,” traveling upriver, struck the “Mainz” near its paddle-wheel housing shortly before it docked, tearing open a three-meter-long section. The steamer sank within nine minutes and broke apart when it struck the riverbed. All 91 passengers and 50 crew members were rescued in time by boats that came to their aid. The “Mainz” was soon raised using modern lifting equipment and cranes so that shipping traffic on the Rhine could resume without obstruction.
During the 1950s, the express steamer “Mainz” was part of the “White Fleet” and one of the largest showcase vessels of the Köln-Düsseldorfer Rhine Steamship Company. This photograph was taken after the ship had been restored.
Further
Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2026
3. Museumsschiff Mannheim / Mannheim Museum Ship Marker
The view of the marker along the river in front of the museum ship, paddle steamer “Mainz”.
Erected by Technoseum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1929.
Location. 49° 29.672′ N, 8° 28.124′ E. Marker is in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg. It is in Innenstadt/Jungbusch. It is on Luisenring 0.2 kilometers west of Kurpfalzbrücke, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Luisenring 49, Mannheim BW 68159, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the German Upper Rhine. Globally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, and the former West Germany.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Neckarkran der Firma Mohr & Federhaff / Neckar Crane of the Mohr & Federhaff Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Hochbunker Neckarvorlandstraße / Neckarvorlandstraße Air-Raid Bunker (within shouting distance
Photographed by James Hulse, September 16, 2026
4. Museumsschiff Mannheim / Mannheim Museum Ship Marker
The paddle steamer “Mainz”.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 22, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
