Stettin (icebreaker)

“Stettin” is a historic steam-powered icebreaker built between 1932 and 1933 at the Stettiner Oderwerke shipyard in Szczecin. It was the flagship of the icebreaker fleet of the Szczecin Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

The vessel operated mainly on the Szczecin–Świnoujście fairway and in the Pomeranian Bay, keeping navigation open in difficult winter conditions. During the Second World War, it was incorporated into the navy, and after being damaged by a mine, it was used, among other things, to transport soldiers and refugees.

After the war, it was taken to Germany and for many years served in the Hamburg area — on the Elbe, the Kiel Canal and in the port. Withdrawn from service in 1981, it avoided being scrapped thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts, who converted it into a museum ship.

Today, “Stettin” has its home port in Hamburg and regularly takes part in maritime events. Since the war, it has also visited Szczecin several times.