Elbe paddle steamers

The historic paddle steamers of the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt, run by Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH, were built between 1879 and 1929.

Two white paddle steamers on the Elbe, one under way in front, with the embankment wall of Brühl's Terrace and the Kunstakademie behind them. — Silvio John, Elsterwerda Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

What it is

The Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt is the Saxon Steamship Company. The company that runs it, Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH, is seated in Dresden.

History

The company dates itself to the founding of the Elbdampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft on 8 July 1836. Regular service began on 30 July 1837 with the paddle steamer Königin Maria.

The steamers have had their berth on the Terrassenufer since 1910. The company has traded as Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH since 1 September 2020.

The steamers

The Stadt Wehlen entered service in 1879 as the Dresden III. The Diesbar, built in 1884, is the only coal-fired paddle steamer in the fleet.

Seeing it

Checked 11 October 2026 The fleet has nine historic paddle steamers and two modern saloon ships, August der Starke and Gräfin Cosel. The steamers sail on the Elbe between Seußlitz, near Meißen, and Bad Schandau. Trips from the Terrassenufer go past the three Elbe castles and the Blaues Wunder to Pillnitz. Check the operator's own page before you go.

See also Brühl's Terrace and Blaues Wunder.

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