On October 31, 1986, the people of Hamburg gave their future museum ship an enthusiastic welcome. Thousands make a pilgrimage to the Elbe to greet the "Cap San Diego". Today the world's largest seaworthy museum cargo ship is part of the harbor panorama.
The sound of ship horns, a brass band concert by the Air Force Corps and around 6,000 cheering onlookers welcomed an old lady from Hamburg to the port on October 31, 1986:the "Cap San Diego" has returned to her home port. The white and red general cargo ship was launched in 1961 for the Hamburg Süd shipping company in the Hanseatic city. Captain Manfred Stroncik is now ceremonially handing over the ship to Hamburg's Mayor Klaus von Dohnanyi (SPD). It is thanks to his commitment and that of the Hamburg Senate that this was possible at all.
Past as "South Atlantic White Swan
On its way to South America, the "Cap San Diego" also called at the port of New York.Starting in 1961, the "Cap San Diegeo", like her five sister ships, served the Hamburg Süd shipping company more than 120 times on the route to South America. Because of their elegant form, the Cap-San-class freighters are also known as the "white swans of the South Atlantic". A special feature:the architect and ship designer Caesar Pinnau "hid" the chimneys in the two narrow masts, so that the ships were more reminiscent of sleek yachts than sedentary freighters.
Hamburg Senate saves "Cap San Diego" from scrap
In 2006, the 20th anniversary of the "Cap San Diego" return was celebrated - among others with Hamburg's former mayors of Dohnanyi and Voscherau.At the end of 1981, Hamburg Süd sold the general cargo transporter to a Spanish shipping company, which used it until 1986 and then sold it on. At this point, the 160-meter-long general cargo ship is already the last of the well-known Cap San class. All sister ships have already been scrapped.
The "Cap San Diego", on the other hand, was spared this fate:the then Senate under the mayor of Dohnanyi bought the ship from its previous owner for the equivalent of 2.45 million marks - despite numerous resistance from the citizenry and the population. "On October 31st I brought the ship back - standing on the bow with my coat waving in the air", von Dohnanyi recalled in 2006 at the 20th anniversary celebration of the return of the "Cap San Diego" to Hamburg.
Last "white swan" comes home
On the day the "Cap San Diego" returns to Hamburg, there are 200 guests and a crew of around 70 volunteers - including many who have previously sailed on the "Cap San Diego". Before that, the ship was provisionally restored in Cuxhaven and given a new coat of paint with 400 liters of white paint.
The plan of the Hamburger Schiffsfreunde:The "Cap San Diego" should complement the panorama of the Hamburg harbor as a museum ship. For the 800th anniversary of the port in May 1989, the freighter is planned as a major attraction. But that's not all:He should remain roadworthy in the long term and regularly take trips with passengers on board.
"Cap San Diego" becomes a seaworthy museum ship
The actual renovation and conversion into a museum ship will take several years. In 1995 the time had finally come:the converted "Cap San Diego" was roadworthy again. With 300 guests on board, she takes part in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Kiel Canal and sails through the waterway.
Voluntary helpers ensure the preservation
The "Cap San Diego" - a maritime monument and floating hotel since 2003 - has long since become a symbol of Hamburg. Together with the tall ship "Rickmer Rickmers" she characterizes the harbor panorama. And it is still roadworthy, a last general overhaul took place in spring 2021. The ship is owned by the Hamburg Admiralty Foundation. In addition to the crew, around 45 voluntary helpers lovingly take care of the maintenance and roadworthiness of the freighter. Fundamental renovations and shipyard visits are paid for with funds from the foundation, accommodation and entrance fees and donations.
Several times a year, the ship departs from its berth at the Überseebrücke for guest trips on the Elbe. On the other days, visitors can visit the "Cap San Diego" at her berth at the Überseebrücke and explore from the engine room to the command bridge. Currently, the instructions of the operators in the context of the corona pandemic must be observed.