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MPV Goethe
Operating Area : River Rhein

Goethe on March 31st 2009, leaving Cologne for the first time after being converted to diesel power. Photo by Alois Mohr engineer of Goethe kindly supplied by Olivier Bachmann
Last in the long line of River Rhein paddlers operated by the "KD", mechanical problems almost lead to her demise in 1989, but a major refurbishment allowed a return to service in 1996 for this ship originally built in 1913. Originally an unremarkable member of a large fleet, she was extensively improved in 1925 and again in 1952 after wartime wrecking. Her rebuild prior to return to service in 1996 has made her a thoroughly modern vessel, although close attention has been given to her appearance, both internal and outward, to create a traditional feel. After the 2008 season her steam engines were removed and replaced by twin diesel-hydraulic units.
Built at Cologne in 1913 by Sachsenberg at Koln-Deutz
Length : 83 metres - 272 feet (extended from 77.8 m after 1951-2 rebuild)
Converted to twin diesel-hydraulic drive during the winter of 2008-09
View her original engines : Compound Diagonal, built by Sachsenberg at Rosslau, which will be exhibited at the Kolnisches Stadtmuseum (Cologne)
Superstructure rebuilt in 1925 to increase the enclosed passenger accommodation
Wrecked during World War II at Oberwinter in March 1945
Salvaged and rebuilt at the Ruthof shipyard in Mainz in 1951 and 1952, resuming duties in 1953
Converted to oil firing in 1955
Repainted in "nostalgia" livery with painted paddle-box vents in 1977 in an attempt to market her paddler status.
Withdrawn after the 1989 season with mechanical problems, but as the last paddler, repair was anticipated.
After some uncertainty she was completely re-fitted but given a more traditional outward appearance.
Most of the rstoration work was undertaken by the De Biesbosch Works, near Dordrecht, Netherlands
Returned to service late in the year in 1996 after major refurbishment
Converted to diesel operation shortly after completing her 2008 season on October 5th 

By 1988, Goethe was the last of a long line of Rhine paddlers

sporting "nostalgia" livery with painted-on paddle vents

Despite this, she still had an uninspiring saloon decoration......

Until she reappeared in 1996 after a long lay-up.............

She now has a much more traditional appearance

and is a big success, sailing between Koblenz and Rudesheim

INTERNATIONAL PADDLE STEAMER :

GOETHE IN THE NETHERLANDS

The Rhein, of course, meets the North Sea in the Netherlands, but it is not usual for Goethe to be seen outside Germany. On March 21st 1998, Hubert Kraaivanger got this photo of her at Nijmegen on her return home from Dordrecht where she had winter work undertaken at the De Biebosch yard

Removal of Goethe's Steam engines : Winter 2008-09

It is rare in the modern age for paddle steamers' engines to be replaced by diesel units (in fact the last change was the other way around !) - but over the winter of 2008-09, Goethe's were!  This move caused uproar among the steamer enthusiast world, but KD had their reasons and were not to be dissuaded .......

Follow the removal of the engines and see the empty engine room and the first signs of the new machinery in photos kindly supplied by Goethe engineer Alois Mohr through my correspondent Olivier Bachmann on this link

GOETHE PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION

Goethe and other Rhein passenger vessels in 1988
Goethe and other Rhein passenger vessels in 2000

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