Built in 1914, Statsraad Lehmkuhl has sailed through two world wars, trained thousands of sailors, and been saved from extinction more than once. This is the story of how a legendary tall ship became a modern platform for sail training, ocean research, and global education.
The Launch - Crafted for sail training
On 14 January 1914, the steel-hulled, three-masted barque was launched at the Tecklenborg shipyard in Bremerhaven. She was named Grossherzog Friedrich August and served as a state-of-the-art sail training ship for the German merchant navy, equipped with electric lighting, wireless telegraphy, and a diesel engine — the first school ship of its kind.
After Germany’s defeat in World War I, the ’Grand Duke’ was handed over to Britain as war reparations. She remained idle in Newcastle until she caught the attention of Kristofer Lehmkuhl, then director of Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab and a former Norwegian government minister.
Recognising her potential for training future generations of sailors, Lehmkuhl arranged her purchase and brought her to Bergen in 1921. Two years later, in 1923, she was officially transferred to the Norwegian flag and renamed Statsraad Lehmkuhl in his honor.
Sail Training Era
For around 20 years, Statsraad Lehmkuhl served as a training ship, educating and training thousands of young sailors, providing them with practical seamanship skills through hands-on experience at sea.
But beyond Norway’s borders, tensions were once again building towards war.
World War II Seizure
During World War II, Norway was occupied by Nazi forces, and Statsraad Lehmkuhl was seized. The hull was painted black, and the ship was renamed Westwärts. It was used to accommodate German soldiers, and maintenance of the rigging and machinery was completely neglected, leaving the ship in a very poor condition.
After the war, she was painstakingly restored and resumed her training voyages by 1946.
1950s: American Era
In the post-war period, Statsraad Lehmkuhl sailed several “America Voyages” across the Atlantic, visiting ports like New York, Boston, and Baltimore, continuing her role as a sail training ship. She also participating in regattas and won her first international Tall Ship race in 1960.
The Rescuer
In the late 1960s, as demand for traditional sail training declined due to changes in maritime education and the rise of modern vessels, Statsraad Lehmkuhl faced financial difficulties and was eventually being put up for sale.
When news spread that foreign buyers were interested, it sparked public outcry. Norwegian shipping magnate Hilmar Reksten stepped in to purchase and preserve the ship for Norway.
Following Reksten’s bankruptcy in the 1970s, the ship once again faced an uncertain future. As a campaign to return her to Germany gained momentum, Statsraad Lehmkuhl’s Friends was founded — a grassroots movement that stepped in and saved her once more. The organization remains one of the ship’s most important supporters to this day.
In 1978, Hilmar Reksten gave the ship to to a newly established Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation. The foundation still owns and operates the vessel today.
Revival and Renewal
After several years of inactivity and decline, Statsraad Lehmkuhl entered a new phase in the late 1980s. A long-term upgrade programme secured her continued operation and preserved her cultural and maritime heritage.
By the late 1990s, operations went from loss to profit, debts were cleared, and trust and enthusiasm were restored within a stronger organization.
Naval Training Partnership
In 2002, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy began using the ship for extended, annual winter training voyages. This marked a turning point for Statsraad Lehmkuhl, leading to year-round operations and enabling long-term planning as well as a more professional and sustainable operation.
Later, the Dutch Navy followed suit, using the vessel to train its future leaders.
One Ocean Expedition 2021 - 2023
A new chapter in Statsraad Lehmkuhl’s history began with the One Ocean Expedition. As an official ambassador for the UN Decade of Ocean Science, she embarked on her first circumnavigation from 2021 to 2023.
Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, the ship served as both a floating university and a sail training vessel, bringing together scientists, students, lecturers, decision-makers and everyday people on different legs.
The data collection during the expedition aimed to understand human impact on the marine ecosystem.
Historic Overhaul in 2024
In 2024, Statsraad Lehmkuhl underwent a seven-month upgrade - the most extensive since her launch in 1914. For the first time, the entire rigging was dismantled, all masts taken down and overhauled, and a new standing rigging produced on shore.
To facilitate major steelwork on the hull, 440 tons of ballast were removed and later reinstated. The galley was fully renovated, and extensive maintenance was carried out across the entire ship.
The scientific equipment was significantly upgraded - ensuring the ship remains a valuable platform for ocean science and knowledge sharing.
Sailing into the Future
The first One Ocean Expedition set a new course for Statsraad Lehmkuhl. It proved that our ship can be a powerful global ambassador for ocean research, collaboration, and education.
Just as the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation works to preserve the ship for future generations, we want to use Statsraad Lehmkuhl to make a lasting, positive impact on the ocean and those who come after us. Our goal is to embark on new, major expeditions that promote ocean science and inspire international cooperation to protect the ocean.
As new expeditions await, Statsraad Lehmkuhl will continue her journey, carrying the mission of ocean protection to new shores.
Everyone can join a voyage with Statsraad Lehmkuhl - no prior experience is required. See all voyages here.