Steamboats on the Danube
Encyclopedia
The Danube Steamboat Shipping Company, Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft was a shipping company founded in 1829 by the Austrian
government for transporting passengers and cargo on the River Danube.
In 1880, the DDSG was the world's largest river shipping company with more than 200 steamboat ships and about 1000 cargo tubs.
Steamboats on the Danube were, by the end of the 19th century, dominated by the Austria
n-based DDSG
. A new organisation was formed in 1896, based in the Hungarian
part of the Habsburg empire, which was to become a significant player in both the freight haulage and passenger businesses. The MFTR took over the fleet of the Hungarian Railways (MAV) in 1914 and eventually became MAHART, a company which continues to exist in the Danube
freight business.
Steamers built in 1896-7: Deak Ferenc, later Dunagyongye; Ersebet Kiralyne; Szechenyi Istvan and
Ferencz Jozsef
Later new vessels were built (1916–1928) and these were the:
Zita Kiralyne, later Vercse, Szent Istvan
IV Karoly, later Sas, St Imre, Felszabadulas, Szoke Tisza
Ferencz Ferdinand Foherczeg, later Rigo, Leanyfalu, Kossuth
Joszef Foherczeg, later Varju, Dozsa Gyorgy, Jozsef, Domos
Szent Gellert, later Tancsics, Szoke Tisza
Szent Laszlo, later Petofi
Later purchases (1939–1941)
Domos, earlier Leda
Bacska
The bigger boat, known as BKA (bronirovannyie katera, or armored cutter) 1124, had two turrets initially taken from T-26 tanks and mounting 45mm guns. The boat displaced 42 tons, was 25 meters long and had 12mm of armor on its “citadel” protecting the engines and other vitals. While drawing more water than a half-meter, it still could operate in very shallow waters as it only drew 0.80 meters.
The smaller version, known as BKA 1125, only drew 0.5 meters and displaced 29 tons. These were only slightly shorter (22.6 meters) but had less armor protection.
Series production began in 1935 at small shipyards along the Soviet Union’s inland rivers,
Don
During the Third Reich era, the DDSG was involved in transporting Jews after Kristallnacht.
In 1991 the company was divided up with a cargo shipping enterprise and a passenger leisure cruising business and these two private companies still exist.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
government for transporting passengers and cargo on the River Danube.
In 1880, the DDSG was the world's largest river shipping company with more than 200 steamboat ships and about 1000 cargo tubs.
Steamboats on the Danube were, by the end of the 19th century, dominated by the Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n-based DDSG
Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft
The Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, or Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft was a shipping company founded in 1829 by the Austrian government for transporting passengers and cargo on the Danube.In 1880, the DDSG was the world's largest river shipping company with more than 200 steamboat...
. A new organisation was formed in 1896, based in the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
part of the Habsburg empire, which was to become a significant player in both the freight haulage and passenger businesses. The MFTR took over the fleet of the Hungarian Railways (MAV) in 1914 and eventually became MAHART, a company which continues to exist in the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
freight business.
Steamers
Steamers acquired from MAV in 1895 were the Lukacs Bela, and later Csoka, Rakosi Matyas, CsongradSteamers built in 1896-7: Deak Ferenc, later Dunagyongye; Ersebet Kiralyne; Szechenyi Istvan and
Ferencz Jozsef
Later new vessels were built (1916–1928) and these were the:
Zita Kiralyne, later Vercse, Szent Istvan
IV Karoly, later Sas, St Imre, Felszabadulas, Szoke Tisza
Ferencz Ferdinand Foherczeg, later Rigo, Leanyfalu, Kossuth
Joszef Foherczeg, later Varju, Dozsa Gyorgy, Jozsef, Domos
Szent Gellert, later Tancsics, Szoke Tisza
Szent Laszlo, later Petofi
Later purchases (1939–1941)
Domos, earlier Leda
Bacska
The bigger boat, known as BKA (bronirovannyie katera, or armored cutter) 1124, had two turrets initially taken from T-26 tanks and mounting 45mm guns. The boat displaced 42 tons, was 25 meters long and had 12mm of armor on its “citadel” protecting the engines and other vitals. While drawing more water than a half-meter, it still could operate in very shallow waters as it only drew 0.80 meters.
The smaller version, known as BKA 1125, only drew 0.5 meters and displaced 29 tons. These were only slightly shorter (22.6 meters) but had less armor protection.
Series production began in 1935 at small shipyards along the Soviet Union’s inland rivers,
World War II
By the time of the 1941 invasion of Germany, 85 boats had been delivered with 68 more under construction. They went into action very early, with boats of the Danube flotilla infiltrating Romanian defenses to land troops on 24 June and routing Romanian marines defending the Danube delta.Don
During the Third Reich era, the DDSG was involved in transporting Jews after Kristallnacht.
In 1991 the company was divided up with a cargo shipping enterprise and a passenger leisure cruising business and these two private companies still exist.
See also
- DonaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftDonaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftThe Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, or Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft was a shipping company founded in 1829 by the Austrian government for transporting passengers and cargo on the Danube.In 1880, the DDSG was the world's largest river shipping company with more than 200 steamboat...
- Erste Donau-Dampfschiffahrts-GmbH
- DDSG-Cargo GmbH