lightvessel ELBE3

The lightvessel "ELBE 3" was constructed as "WESER (I)" to substitute the lightvessel "WESER" ( which was built in 1874 ) on its position in the estuary of river WESER.
Former "Weser (I)" was built in 1888 and positioned in June 1889 to replace the older one. Compared to other lightvessels, the ships of river WESER were not named after important people like mayors. They only got the name of their position on the river on both sides of the ship.

Now it is the oldest operative lightvessel of the world and offers day trips on river Elbe. Furthermore Elbe3 visits several harbour festivals along the German coastline.

History :
until 1966 position Weser
1966-1977 Elbe3
1977 decommissioning in Cuxhaven
1979 lightvessel Elbe3 was given to the "Museumshafen Oevelgonne e.V." on the occasion of the 790th Hamburg Harbour Festival.

Shipyard : Johann Lange zu Grohn-Vegesack, Weser/Bremen
Year of construction : 1888
Type : Shooner with three masts Materials : Specially prepared shipbuilding steel, thickness between 7 and 14 mm

Terms of the Lightvessel :

  • Lenght o. all : 45,1 m
  • Width, moulded : 7,1 m
  • Draught, moulded : 3,95 m
  • Deadweight 600 tons
  • Measurement : 256 BRT

Attention : You will find another lightvessel called ELBE3 in Bremerhaven.