„We, Wilhelm, by the grace of God German Emperor, King of Prussia, decree in the name of the Reich, after approval by the Federal Council and the Reichstag, decree the following: A maritime shipping canal suitable for use by the German navy shall be constructed from the Elbe estuary via Rendsburg to the Kiel Bay, on the condition that Prussia shall contribute to the estimated total cost of 156.000.000 marks the sum of 156.000.000 marks for the total cost of the canal, 50.000.000 marks in advance.“
This decree was the basis for Brunsbüttel’s development into an attractive port and lock city on the Elbe and the Kiel Canal (NOK).
While the canal served more military purposes in Kaiser Wilhelm’s time, today you can experience the great “pots” from all over the world up close.
Just a few years after the construction and commissioning of the canal (1895), its expansion became necessary, including larger lock chambers.
Today there are the small locks with their two chambers (usable dimensions 125 m x 22 m) from 1895 and the large locks with their two chambers (usable dimensions 310 m x 42 m) from 1914.
Due to their advanced age, the lock facilities required extensive renovation and repair work. In order to enable smooth lock passage for the booming shipping traffic on the NOK during the multi-year repair work, the early construction of an additional (fifth) lock chamber (usable size 330 m x 42 m) was decided upon.
Pictures: Work on the new lock