Germany issued in September 2010 one stamp for “Stamp Day” a stamp designed after a poster of the Albert Ballins Dampfschiffahrt Reederei Ges. in Hamburg. The vessel on the poster is the COBRA and also the routes to the seaside resorts the line served are shown. The stamp also referred to the transport of the mail on behalf of the Imperial German Post.
After the seaside resorts were developed on the German North Sea islands the need arose for a regular ferry service to the islands from Hamburg. The ships used in this service carried also the mail to the islands.
Built as a steel paddle steamer under yard No 338 by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., at Govan for G & J Burns Ltd., Glasgow.
02 March 1889 launched as the COBRA.
Tonnage 1,146 gross ton, 671 nrt., dim. 85.00 x 80.83 (bpp) x 10.12 x 4.51m, draught 2.10m
Powered by two direct acting compound steam engines, 700 nhp, speed 14.5 knots.
A two mast and two funnel ship.
Accommodation for 1100 passengers.
15 April 1889 trial, where after delivered to owners.
She was built for an experimental day service between Gourock, Clyde River to Belfast across the Irish Sea, she was only operated for one season, the service was not successful and she was not accepted by G & J Burns, and she returned to the builders.
Transferred by the builders to the North Wales S.S. Co and used in the excursion services.
1890 Sold to the Liverpool & North Wales Steamship Co., Liverpool renamed in ST TUDNO.
1890 Sold to Albert Ballins Dampfschiffahrt Reederei Ges. Hamburg, renamed again in COBRA.
Used in the summer service between Hamburg to Helgoland and Sylt service.
1897 Sold to Nordsee-Linie Hamburg.
From the winter of 1902 – 1903 under charter by the HAPAG during the winter and sailed thereafter every winter season in the service from Genoa, Italy to the French Rivera., returning in the summer season to her service from Hamburg to Helgoland and Sylt.
01 January 1905 sold to Hamburg America Line, Hamburg and used as excursion vessel to the German holiday sea resorts along the northern coast.
1910 Modernized by the Vulkan-Werft in Stettin.
1919 Reboilered and refurbished.
1920 As war reparations ceded to France.
1920 Returned to German flag and HAPAG ownership used in the excursion services in East Prussia.
22 April 1922 sold for breaking up to Mahr & Beyer, Wismar, and she was scrapped in Wismar.
Germany 2010 0.55 Euro, sg?, scott?
Source: Merchant Fleets in Profile Volume 4 by Haws. West Coast Steamers by Ducworth and Langmuir.
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz and various other web-sites.
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