Der Hafenschmied: ein Mittler in der maritimen Kulturentwicklung

Abstract

On the basis of case examples of Pomerania and Southern Denmark, the article discusses the important role (established for the Baltic region since the Hanse era) played by the specialised trade of anchor or ship smithery in the motorisation of fishery and coastal shipping. This was a cultural upheaval with far-reaching consequences that got under way in the region in question around 1900. For the harbour smiths’ occupation it brought about an interesting development, as the members of this trade now became involved in the construction and repair of mechanical aids for operations on board, for example producing small boat engines and net winches, casting boat propellers and repairing steam engines and internal combustion engines.