Lecture: "Hurricane in the North Sea: ships in distress"

Speaker: Günther Kalis, Rostock

Storms have always been feared by sailors. In past centuries, numerous ships were lost in storms, sometimes with "man and mouse". Although modern ships can generally withstand high waves and strong winds, hurricanes and typhoons are still not without danger for shipping today.

On February 23, 1967, the depression "Xanthia" brought the most severe hurricane since weather records began to the area of the North Sea. In addition to numerous destructions on the coasts, there were also casualties at sea.

Two coasters and two fishing cutters sank, and the rescue cruiser "Adolph Bermpohl" was found without a crew near Heligoland. At least 84 sailors died in the raging sea during the hurricane. In memory of the drama surrounding the crew of the rescue cruiser "Adolph Bermpohl", the Hamburg Maritime Meteorological Office subsequently gave the hurricane this name.

Günther Kalis, who once went to sea as a ship's cook, experienced the hurricane on board the DSR tanker "Schwarzheide". He is one of the few surviving eyewitnesses and will give an exclusive talk on the traditional ship on April 25, 2024 at 4 p.m. in his lecture "Hurricane in the North Sea: ships in distress" about the event of the century and his personal experiences.

The Rostock Maritime Museum on the banks of the Warnow in IGA Park offers exciting insights into the history of shipbuilding and seafaring. As the largest floating museum in Germany, the traditional ship "MS Dresden" with its 10,000 tons is a maritime excursion destination for the whole family. The ship's technology and furnishings from the 1950s and 1960s are almost completely original. The museum's outdoor facilities display other historical ship models, navigation marks and beacons. In addition to the ship, traditional boatbuilding techniques are demonstrated in the historic boatyard and can be experienced by children in particular. The IGA Park is the green oasis of adventure in the north-west of the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock. In the summer months, concerts and events invite visitors to linger and celebrate on the festival meadow. Nature lovers can discover a diverse world of flora and fauna on 65 hectares.

Opening hours of the Maritime Museum: Tuesday to Sunday from November to March: 10:00 - 16:00
April to October: 10:00 - 18:00

Opening hours IGA Park: daily from November to March: 8:00-17:00 I April to October: 8:00-22:00