Sail Szczecin 2026: Hoffung

The steel sailing vessel Hoffnung (German for “Hope”) was built in 1919 as one of two almost identical cargo sailing ships. She was constructed on behalf of a shipping company from Kuhle on the island of Rügen at the Münter iron foundry. Her steel hull, with a rounded bow, transom stern, and traditional rigging, reflects the so-called “Danish yacht shape”, a style commonly found in the local tradition of wooden shipbuilding.

The vessel was originally—and again since 2008—equipped with a wooden mast and yacht- or cutter-style rigging, including a gaff mainsail, a long bowsprit/jib boom, and several foresails: two jibs and one staysail.

Between 1919 and 1930, she regularly sailed between Wittow on Rügen and Stralsund, carrying general cargo, agricultural products, and coal.

From the 1930s onwards, she frequently operated between the Bodden waters and the Oder Lagoon, as well as along the coast of Western Pomerania and its rivers.

From 1962 to 1993, Hoffnung served as a motor vessel in the White Fleet, operating as a supply ship between Stralsund and Hiddensee.

Between 1994 and 2008, the vessel changed owners, her superstructure was removed, and she was rebuilt into a sailing ship.

In 2008, the non-profit association Pommersche Jagt Hoffnung e.V. was founded. The organisation maintains the vessel and continues its successful activities to this day.