„Krusenstern“ returns to Estonia for Tallinn Maritime Days

Legendary sailing ship „Krusenstern“ returns to Estonia for Tallinn Maritime Days

The most distinguished guest at the summer highlight event - Tallinn Maritime Days from 12 to 14th of July – is the four masted barque „Krusenstern“. 

The sailing ship, built in 1926 at Joh.C. Tecklenborg shipyard at the order of Hamburg ship-owner Ferdinand Laeisz, with steel hull and masts was christened „Padua“. Before the Second World War the ship sailed 15 long journeys between Australia and Chile, the fastest one in 1938-1939 a record breaking trip from Hamburg via Chile to Australia and return in 8 months and 23 days with Captain Richard Wendt at the helm. During the Second World War Hamburg remained the ship’s home port and it was used for nearby journeys as cargo barge. Luckily the ship wasn’t damaged notably during the war. On 12th of January 1946 the ship was transferred to Soviet navy as part of war reparations, was named „Krusenstern“ and her new home port became Riga. The new name was chosen in the honour of Adam Johann von Krusenstern (1770–1846), born in Hagudi, Estonia, who led the first Russian circumnavigation with the ships „Nadežda“ and „Neva“ in 1803–1806.

Between 1959–1961 the ship was completely refurbished and turned into a research and training vessel. The next large scale modernisation took place between 1968–1972. At the initiative of Hugo Maide, head of Estonian Fisheries, from 1981 Tallinn became „Krusensterns“ new home port and between long sailing trips the ship anchored at Paljassaare port. Ten years later on 29th of May 1991 the ship was handed over to Kaliningrad (Konigsberg) School of Marine Engineers. Kaliningrad is today „Krusenstern’s“ home port.

The historical sailing ship „Krusenstern“ will arrive at Tallinn Maritime Days on Friday 12th of July. The ship will dock at Tallinn Harbour quay and will be open for public from 12:00 to 19:00.