For the first and probably last time, the sisters show themselves together under sail: "Alexander von Humboldt I" and "II" (back)
This is what happened on Saturday in Bremerhaven. While the older of the sisters showed all of her green towels, the new one was only on the move with the handbrake on. The mizzen mast and the tops remained sail-free zone. “We would have simply driven away from 'Alex 1'. We didn't want that, after all, both of them were supposed to arrive in Bremerhaven together, "explains Reimer Peters, the project manager for the construction of the new ones. That worked out perfectly.
On the way into her element: the launch of the "Alexander von Humboldt II"
Although the person to be baptized is bigger, more modern, faster and more comfortable than the famous "Becks-Schiff", many fans find it difficult to separate from their "Alex": "Last time in the Baltic Sea, last time in Copenhagen, last time in Kiel, last time in the North Baltic Sea -Channel. If you didn't have a tear in your buttonhole at the last 'anchor open', you are probably made of stone ", so the impressions of a participant of the last multi-day cruise of the great Greens.
Green sails, tied ropes: the "old woman" on her last voyage
Farewell, Alex!
However, it is still unclear whether it was actually the last long journey. The Bark is currently looking for a new owner: 3.8 million euros have been called. The previous one, the German Sail Training Foundation (DSST), is in no hurry with the sale. The sales proceeds are not required to finance the new ones. The approximately 15 million euros could largely be financed from donations. "I would like to thank everyone who supported the construction of the 'Alexander von Humboldt II'," emphasizes Willi Schäfer, head of the supervisory board and project manager at DSST.
The "AvH II" made its first trips to the Canary Islands in winter. The "AvH I" will undertake its last day trips on October 8th and 9th, all of which will be fully booked in order to be decommissioned the next day.
The fan base is looking forward to and about the new ship, but the question remains: Why does it have white sails? “We wanted to have a ship for all supporters and sponsors. Many associate the green sails with the Becks Brewery. And those who did not insist on green sails, they are just neutral white,”explains AnjLebenhagen from the DSST. Windjammer fans can find more information and a travel plan here.