The Baltic Queen Photo

Photographer’s Note

When I recently read a book about this ship, I immediately remembered the African Queen. Here is in short the story of the traditional ship MS Stadt Kiel.
The Nazis had started a procurement of work in 1933 and as one result MS Stadt Kiel was launched at Germania Shipyard in 1934. In the following years she served successfully as a passenger ship on the Fördeline of Kiel. In 1943 she sank as a result of a bombing raid, but was recovered and subsequently restored in the Danish town of Svendborg (Denmark was a German protectorate at that time). At this stage of the war the use of raw material was only allowed for the construction of submarines, any other stuff had to be repaired or recycled.

By 1946 the ship had resumed her liner service in the Firth of Kiel and was altered in 1954 to become a charter and cruise ship in the Bay of Kiel. She often sailed to Soenderborg in Denmark as a “Butterdampfer” (duty free cruise). The MS Stadt Kiel was deactivated in 1976 and then was used as a houseboat. But the new owners did not take care of her and in the early 80ies as a consequence the ship has been sent on her last journey to a blast furnace. Fortunately in the last moment the newly founded MS Stadt Kiel e.V. association, owner as of 1983, offered to perform comprehensive repair and maintenance works. Today the MS Stadt Kiel is a cultural monument of technology of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein. She has a length of 28.13 m, is 7.30 m wide, with 253 GRT. Of the 400 seats originally available, only 100 are left for passengers today. During Kiel Week, she acts as an official boat of this unique event on the water. Kiel Week with 5000 yachtsmen and women, 50 countries, 2000 yachts, dinghies and surfboards participating in almost 40 sailing events takes place from 21 to 29 of June. The “Who’s who” of sailing will be lining up at the start in KIEL.SAILING CITY and so is the Baltic Queen too!

JCG, clio, gildasjan, maltese, vbbreizh, ChrisJ, cbrman, pablominto, saxo042, macondo, gunbud, ribeiroantonio, gracious, claudeD, papagolf21, Royaldevon, bobocortis, Bluejeans, Glint, ellelloo, COSTANTINO, holmertz, josepmarin, Jeppe, Vasa, fanni has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JCG (24899) 2008-06-28 9:54

Hi Harriet,

In fact a resurrection for this boat. Thank you for the interesting note which accompanies the photograph. Good tightened view on the ship which has an original form. To give a little more punch to the image, I left myself tried by a WS I hope that you will like.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

[workshop] [compare] +

clio (22438) 2008-06-28 10:46

Hi Harriet,
Indeed, it is another sort of boat that mine, I think that this one is better to navigate on the Baltic even if it is a little bit old!
I like very much this rounded off shape and the chimney.
Thank you for this historic visit!
Have a nice WE
Friendly
Diane

gildasjan (23393) 2008-06-28 11:28

Bonjour Harriet
Voilà un bateau qui donne envie de voyager,il a fière allure sur cette mer et sous ce ciel en douceur qui met bien son contraste noir et blanc en valeur.
Du très bon job avec la note.
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
Gildas

maltese (21531) 2008-06-28 13:57

Hello Harriet
Un petit bateau étonnant par son histoire et par sa forme!!
Une belle réalisation sous cette bonne lumière.
Amicalement
hervé

vbbreizh (2622) 2008-06-29 2:01

Bonjour Harriet,
Des allures de maquette pour ce bateau au passé chargé.
Interessante la note et jolie la photo. Beau travail !
Bon dimanche, Gilles

cbrman (18703) 2008-06-29 2:15

Hello Harriet,

Une prise de vue très nette malgré les conditions difficiles
il aurait fallu, peut-être, laisser plus de place devant le bateau pour lui permettre d'évoluer dans l'image. Mais l'idée est bonne !

A+

Dominique

ChrisJ (69618) 2008-06-29 2:19

Hi Harriet

Good sharpness & realistic colour. Great to have the horizon line placed offcentre. Tfs!

pablominto (40056) 2008-06-29 2:23

Hello Harriet,

Sometimes the note is more interesting than the picture!
Don't get me wrong but I did read the story with great interest, giving the right background for this fine capture...
The point of view gives fine details in this nice old vessel!

Greetings,
Pablo -

dumbo (4306) 2008-06-29 2:47

Hi Harriet,
Nice boat and good details. I like the colors of this photo and this beautiful composition you've made.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

saxo042 (15188) 2008-06-29 9:17

Hi Harriet,
A very good contribution to the "marine theme" with excellent colours. And your note is even better!
Greetings from Gothenburg
Gunnar

macondo (12991) 2008-06-29 11:10

Hi Harriet.
Very nicely presented photo of this interesting and attractive old vessel. I do think J-C has added something to it with this workshop. It's a good original exposure, and the flags and funnel add colour. Your notes are superb, and very interesting. Today is the last day of Kiel week; I hope the weather was great.
Regards,
Andrew

gunbud (27585) 2008-06-29 19:07

Hi Harriet,
The Baltic Queen looks quite healty as she enjoys these more peaceful times when she can serve to bring folks out on this beautiful blue sea with such a nice silver blue sky.
Very good historical note about this lady's checkered past.
Regards, Tom

gracious (20017) 2008-06-30 12:31

Hello my dear friend Harriet,
Many thanks for the impressive useful note regarding the vassel with a great history behind it! really delighted to see it floating again with a great pride through time in itself!
the image is well captured with good sharpness, wonderful colour and details to enjoy!
my sincere friendship and regards
Tony

claudeD (11168) 2008-06-30 13:11

Hello Harriet,

very interesting picture and detailed note.I like the excellent sharpness and the perfect colors.Very well done.Thank you for sharing

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

papagolf21 (56044) 2008-07-01 2:27

Bonjour, Harriet,
Merci de nous offrir une si belle promenade en mer, toutefois, les personnes souffrant du mal de mer sont priées de s'abstenir ! j'ai l'impression que le bateau fort élégant au demeurant prend un peu de gîte.
Une bonne photo, une bonne note, que demander de plus, sinon apprécier !
Amitiés.
Philippe

rodgerg (23207) 2008-07-01 3:06

Hello Harriet,

One feel the wind of the sea on this photo with the boat which balances and the peoples with the hait in the wind. Beautiful catch and good framing.
Best regards,
roger

ribeiroantonio (21753) 2008-07-01 6:47

What an impressive history the MS Stadt Kiel carries.
That same type of ship can still be seen in Lisbon as public transport to cross the Tagus River. They are very similar in design.
You have here a great shot with superb light and sharpness. Well done.
Antonio

PJE (19357) 2008-07-01 11:59

I have to say very nicely done Harriet. The boat seems to be leaning back as it just came around a turn in the water. Excellent capture close up like this. Thank you for sharing!

Royaldevon (5824) 2008-07-01 13:37

Hello Harriet,

Truly interesting notes!
I do like the unusual, rounded shape which gives it a special character.
The flying flags, the discharging water, the wake and the tilt of the boat, all give an impression of movement. Good pov and nice, tight crop.

Even better in the w/s.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

bobocortis (14130) 2008-07-02 2:35

Hello Harriet.
A nice portrait of a colorful ship.
Beautiful composition and pov.
Well done.
Kind regards.
Bobo.

Bluejeans (31663) 2008-07-03 2:24

Ola Harriet,
Que lindo barco bem antigo parece muito interessante para fazer uns passeios nele ,gostei de ver as bandeiras ao vento , boas cores como a nota , parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Glint (3029) 2008-07-03 13:51

hello Harriet,
the baot has the shape and simplicity of a toy boat. Well captured, althoug h Jean-Charles' workshop gices extra punch. Interesting note too.
Bev

ellelloo (4684) 2008-07-06 21:45

Hello Harriet,
A beautiful ship and a good shot of it. Thanks for the interesting and comprehensive note too.
Greetings,
Lasse

COSTANTINO (22255) 2008-07-16 5:32

Hi HARRIET,
I love boats so this one belongs from now on
to my collection of boats as the best of yours..
Thanking you for your useful notes we accept
this nice photo well done and well seen
Costantino

jmdias (18819) 2008-07-18 17:37

harriet

very nice view from this interesting boat. The wind was strong and it make we think that the boat goes very fast. Nice compo with a soft light

hugs

jorge

holmertz (9328) 2008-07-20 13:04

Hello Harriet,
You have an interesting story to tell us about this ship with its quite charming, slightly chubby lines. Very fine colours and a nice composition with the froth behind the ship making an elegant curve in the foreground.
Best regards,
Gert

foozi (4589) 2008-07-20 16:41

Hello Harriet,
thanks for visitng my post. I really appreciate it.
This photo of yours actually really attract me , as we also have the almost similar one in Malaysia. If you would like to see search for "Penang Ferry".
I like this simple composition and the merry environment set by the shot.
Nice ripples and pestel rendition. Very educational and informative.

Regards,
foozi

UnTrained (0) 2008-07-22 5:33

Hallo Harriet,
einer von diesen Beiträgen, die ich sehr mag wegen des passenden Bildes zu einer guten Note und der guten Erklärung zu einem etwas erstaunlichem Objekt. Hübsches Schiff einfach durch die Bauart, wirkt wie ein Teil einer Kugel. Der Moment der Bewegung kommt durch die noch im Wasser erkennbare Kurve gut zur Geltung, leider kann ich weder Humphrey noch Katharine an Bord erkennen.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

josepmarin (33611) 2008-08-03 3:10

Hallo Harriet,
Nice and dynamic nautical scene, I like how you have centred our attention on this small ship sailing along a few calm waters of the Baltic.
The light and the colors are managed well, and the image is clean and clear.
Good work.
Best regards,
Josep

Jeppe (18623) 2008-08-10 14:10

Hi Harriet
I remember similar ferries which used around fyn - but not as fine this little beaty. If you visit Svendborg should you try the tourboat Helge.
Thanks for sharing
Jeppe

Vasa (4976) 2009-01-04 15:49

Dear Harriet,

I can wait five years your next photo. Here, between your previous pictures.

Your friend from 2008.

Branko

fanni (8717) 2009-02-28 15:41

Hello Harriet,
I love boats - well, various kinds of vessels...! they are so attractive! :)
This is a very pleasant, very happy shot which reminds of the sunny summer days, fresh sea air, refreshing wind..!
Good POV. And I can feel the speed and the air!
Interesting Note as always :)
Warm regards,
Elena