Shipping

In the Shipping exhibition, Captain Nemo welcomes visitors against the backdrop of the NAUTILUS submarine: The sailor from Jules Verne’s novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” talks about water, the oceans, and the dangers at sea. And he talks about superstitions: sea monsters and figureheads. For many sailors, these decorations on the ship’s bow embodied the ship’s soul. Any damage to them was considered a bad omen.

The world of shipping is reflected in countless stories, myths, symbols, and sayings that have emerged around ships, the sea, and the people who sail them. More than 1,100 exhibits spread across three floors and 6,500 square meters bring you the history of ocean and inland waterway shipping through 30 thematic areas — one of the world’s largest exhibitions on this topic.

The main section on ocean-going shipping begins with the chronologically organized exhibit “Shipping and History.” Fifty-two ship models on a 1:50 scale illustrate developments in size and shape over the past 10,000 years — from leather boats to aircraft carriers. Many other exhibits showcase a wide variety of facets of ocean-going shipping. Five thematic areas alone focus on the history of navigation and the various methods of navigation: from the earliest navigational instruments to modern satellite navigation.

Without further developments in navigational instruments, the global sea voyages undertaken by the Portuguese and Spanish around 1500 would not have been possible. These voyages, in turn, transformed navigation techniques and shipbuilding in Europe, created a new worldview, and gave rise to new power dynamics on the world’s oceans; European colonialism thus began. In addition, the exhibition takes a look at sea rescue, whaling, and the manufacture of sails and ropes. You can also learn about James Cook’s voyages of discovery and German emigration.

For thousands of years, shipbuilding — with its complex challenges — was based purely on experience. It wasn’t until the 18th century that mathematical knowledge became increasingly important in ship design. You’ll learn about the forces acting on a ship’s hull and how ships move, and you’ll have the chance to try your hand at dry sailing and tying sailor’s knots.

The section titled “Water Sports Between the Havel and Spree,” featuring many original sailboats, rowboats, and motorboats, leads into the ground floor. Next comes “Inland Waterway Shipping Between the Elbe and Oder,” which played a key role in Berlin’s development. So-called “Kaffenkähne” transported large quantities of goods and building materials into the city via the numerous waterways. Locks and lifts enabled ships to navigate small and large differences in elevation and continue their journey along various waterways. The exhibition features historical models from the former Institute and Museum of Oceanography as well as the Museum of Transportation and Construction.