Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape

PS De Majesteit (ex-Rudesheim, ex-Rheinland)
Built in 1926 as PS Rheinland, now renamed De Majesteit and restored for service in the Netherlands from 1999.
De majesteit 19 08 06s.jpg
De Majesteit arriving at Hellevoetsluis on 19th August 2006  after a cruise on the Haringvliet for the Vestingdagen Hellevoetsluis festival. Photo by Hubert Kraaivanger
Second last in the long line of River Rhein paddlers operated by the "KD" (Koln-Dusseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt), PS Rudesheim was withdrawn from the fleet after the 1981 season, but remained in reserve at Cologne where she acted as a waiting room for passengers awaiting a cruise on the motor vessel MV Domspatz. Happily she was bought by Dutch interests in 1993 to develop services from Rotterdam and was moved to Zaandam for refurbishment.
Built at Cologne in 1926 by Sachsenberg as PS Rheinland
Length : 81.32 metres
Machinery : Compound Diagonal, built by Sachsenberg at Rosslau
Wrecked during World War II but raised in 1950 and almost totally rebuilt
Converted to oil firing in 1956
Renamed "Rudesheim" in 1965
Withdrawn after the 1981 season
Sold and moved to the Netherlands in 1993 for planned further service from Rotterdam and named "Prins der Nederlanden"
Restored to operational condition by 1999 and renamed "Majesteit".
Furnished to a high degree of luxury, it caters for groups, with charter of the boat (and specially arranged cruises) possible
"Showboat" tours along the Maas and around Rotterdam docks are offered with high-quality cuisine and live entertainment. 

s830063-02.jpg

s880062-02.jpg

Rheinlandearly1950s-s.jpg

Rudesheim spent many years tied up at Cologne

She is seen in 1983 (left) and 1988 (above)

At the Loreley rock in the early 1950s as "Rheinland"

Internet Links

PS Majesteit : official Website
Return to:
Paddle Steamer List
KD
Rhine Steamers Historical Database