House Flags of German Shipping Companies (w) - part 2

Deutsche Reedereiflaggen (w) Teil 2

Last modified: 2014-03-10 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: wieczorek | wilckens(jhl) | wilckens(wilhelm) | wille | williamson | winter | witt buesch | wittenberg voigt | wittheim | woermann linie | wortmann | wuebbe nachfolger | wulf(otto) | wulff(hermann) | wie |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• J.H.N. Wiechhorst
• André Wieczorek
• J.H.L. Wilckens
• Wilhelm Wilckens
• Th. Wille
• Willink & Co.
• J.O.Williamson
• J.E.A. Wimmer & Co
• Gebr. Winter
• Heino Winter
• Witt & Büsch
• Wittenberg & Voigt
• Peter Wittheim
• Wilhelm Wittig
incl.
• Richard Schneider
• Woermann Line
• Wolgaster Hafengesellschaft
(WHG)
• Wortmann
• H.H. Wübbe Nachfolger
• Otto Wulf
• Reederei Hermann Wulff

• House Flags of German Shipping Companies
• House Flags of Shipping Companies
• Germany

J.H.N. Wiechhorst

According to source Hamburg shipowners register provides evidence of the company's existence at least from 1878 until 1889 and from 1910 until 1911. It is a blue flag. Shifted to the bottom is a white initial "W". Above the initial is awhite 5-point star containing black(?) letters in each point. Starting from the point nearest to the hoist clockwise "I"(instead of "J"), "H" and "N". The two deepest points show "W" and "h" connected by dash between the points.
Source: Otto Mathies: "Hamburgs Reederei 1814 - 1914", Hamburg 1924, p.72
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Jul 2012

André Wieczorek

The German, Hamburg based shipping company ‘André Wieczorek’ (named after the Managing Director, a Captain) maintains a website, English version available (click flaglet at bottom page): We learn (‘About us’ section) that this firm manages “smaller container vessels up to 1000 TEU with main focus on vessels up to 500 TEU. This so called feeder section performed best stability in charter rates over the last decades. Other important sections of [this] company are (...) multi-purpose vessels [for] transport [of] containers as well as heavy cargo.”

Founded in 1985, its ships often chartered by famous firms such as Wagenborg, ‘André Wieczorek’ fairly recently (2005) started cooperating with ‘Walther Möller & Co. GmbH & Co.’, local shipbroker.

Fleet description (nine ships at present; flag state, where seen, Antigua) via left menu.
This is a table flag (slightly reduced) found on German eBay: offer no. 290064089752 (end 25 Dec 2006) put up by “shipflag”, dimensions given as approx. 15 [cm] x 25 [cm].
Dark blue field bearing a red lying rectangle, fimbriated white; over the rectangle and extending into the blue field is a white initial ‘A’ (no serifs) the horizontal bar of which is replaced by a white wavy stripe, fimbriated red.
Further link: Walther Möller (flagoid).
Jan Mertens, 4 Feb 2009

J.H.L. Wilckens

J.H.L. Wilckens - The company was established in 1884 by Julius Leonhard Heinrich Wilckens, a man from Altona, who was signing clerk of the shipbrokers Rettmeyer & Hessenmüller, whose company had the same house flag before. Wilckens overtook this company after the death of both partners. In May 1900 the last ship was sold to a company in Senegal and the company was dissolved.
The company used a red flag with a white bend sinister. Within the bend are four blue lines forming a lozenge.
Source: Jürgen Meyer: "Hamburger Segelschiffe von 1795-1945"; ISBN 3-89225-400-1; Hamburg 1999; p.141ff.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 3 Apr 2007

Wilhelm Wilckens

The company was located in Wedel near Hamburg. It was a black over white over red horizontal tricolour. In the middle of the white stripe were two black Vs forming a "W".
Source: "Reedereien und ihre Schiffe über 300 BRT"; Hamburg 1957; p.F30
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 20 April 2009

Th. Wille

image by Jorge Candeias, 6 Jan 2005

image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 14 May 2012

The flag is a triangular blue flag with the company's initials in white: "T.W.". And the caption reads "Th. Wille". (left image)
Jorge Candeias, 6 Jan 2005

This must be the Th(eodor) Wille in question - we see his gravestone here. Dates 1818-1892. Founded a coffee export firm in Brazil in 1844, back in 1847 and active in insurance and shipping (not only in Germany but also in Brazil: fisheries, first telephone grid in Rio de Janeiro), helped found the well-known Commerzbank, left a fortune to Kiel (his hometown) to be used for education (university etc.).
Jan Mertens, 7 Jan 2005

Theodor Wille variant It is a blue pennant with white undotted inscription "TW".
Source: Gratis Beilage zu Deicken und Behrmann's Neuen Monatsheften Neue Ausgabe Sommer 1897
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 14 May 2012

Willink & Co.

According to source Hamburg shipowners register provides evidence of the company's existence at least from 1876 until 1883. In the centre of the white flag is a blue initial "W".
Source: Otto Mathies: "Hamburgs Reederei 1814 - 1914", Hamburg 1924, p.72
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 10 Jul 2012

J.O.Williamson

J.O.Williamson - This company had a white flag with a red centred cross and a white 5-point star in a  blue canton.
Source: Jürgen Meyer: "Hamburger Segelschiffe von 1795-1945"; ISBN 3-89225-400-1; Hamburg 1999; cover inside.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 Mar 2007

J.E.A. Wimmer & Co

J.E.A. Wimmer & Co - In 1887 Johannes Eduard Alfred Wimmer, a Hamburg merchant established a shipping company. Though he settled down in 1898 in Lisbon the company remained in Hamburg. Wimmer chose a partner in 1907. Since then to the company's name was added the "Co.". The company moved to
Lisbon the same year but the ships stayed in the Hamburg ship-register. When Portugal joined WWI his last ships were confiscated by Portuguese government. Wimmer failed in reestablishing his company after WWI.
The colours in the flag are those of Portugal. The flag was white with a green bend sinister, a red capital "J" in the upper hoist and a red capital "W" in the lower fly.
Source: Jürgen Meyer: "Hamburger Segelschiffe von 1795-1945"; ISBN 3-89225-400-1; Hamburg 1999; p.144ff.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 3 Apr 2007

Gebr. Winter

Gebr[üder] (“Brothers”) Winter is a German shipping company established at Hamburg.  Website (in English): From the ‘Company’ section (subsection ‘Background and History’) we learn that the Winter family has been active in shipping for a very long time now: inland shipping on the River Elbe “for many centuries” followed by maritime shipping from 1900 on.  The current firm was founded in 1970 by brothers Harald and Jakob, and the next generation is now learning the trade.  The ‘History’ subsection lists the various ships evolving from a small wooden vessel to the current freighter and container ships.

The second ‘Fleet’ picture (photo carrousel) shows the house flag, also shown as a drawing on the site, together with the flag of Antigua flag which flies on most of the ships -  some are German registered.  But to the house flag, attached as < de~gwin.jpg> (photo detail taken from site): white with narrow horizontal edges black-white-light blue (upper edge) and the reverse (lower edge), in the centre a large red initial ‘W’ in Gothic script.

For better detail see attachment < de~gwin2.jpg> which is a table flag found – where else – on German eBay: offer no. 290081384592 (end 18 Feb 2007) put up by “shipflag”; dimensions given as approx. 15 cm x 25 cm.  This item will help in determining the width of the various stripes – something like 1:5:1 not counting the thin blue lines, of course.
Jan Mertens, 15 May 2008

Heino Winter

Heinz Winter, K.G., Jork - triband NWN, on white small "H" above large "W", all black.
Jork is a few kms west of Hamburg along the Elbe river.
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 7 Sep 2005

This Flag is by the company "Heino Winter".
Heino is the cousin of Harald and Jakob Winter.
Carsten Möller, 9 Jun 2010

Witt & Büsch

The flag is a red saltire on white, with two initials in the hoist and fly quarters: W and B. I think they are blue, but there are some doubts there. In the caption there are also some doubts, but not many: it's something like Will & Büsch.
Jorge Candeias, 23 Dec 2004

I'm inclined to think it's 'Witt & Büsch' as there are traces (on the net) of such a firm engaged in African colonial trade (with German Cameroun, for instance) and cooperating with Woermann.
Jan Mertens, 27 Dec 2004

Wittenberg & Voigt

It is a blue flag with a white inscription "W&V". The letters are rounded and the "V" is superimposing the "W" while the "&" is beneath the "W".
Source: Gratis Beilage zu Deicken und Behrmann's Neuen Monatsheften Neue Ausgabe Sommer 1897
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 14 May 2012

Peter Wittheim

The company was located in Heiligenstedten. The flag was divided per saltire into white (hoist and fly), blue (top) and red (bottom), the colours of Schelswig-Holstein. In the white quarters were black capitals "P"(hoist) and "W"(fly).
Source: "Reedereien und ihre Schiffe über 300 BRT"; Hamburg 1957; p.F30
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 20 April 2009

Wilhelm Wittig

Richard Schneider

The Schneider company, established at the Kaiserhafen, Ruhrort (Duisburg) and active in the same branch of business, was taken over in 1995 and the combined firm was known as Wittig & Schneider KG till the establishment of Wittig GmbH, beginning 2002.
A table flag was offered on German eBay as no. 200087126276 (end 18 Mar 2007) put up by "freschkall", dimensions given as approx. 15 cm x 25 cm. Double-sided.
Red field bearing dark blue "Scandinavian" cross with location and company name in white, respectively: horizontally "AM KAISERHAFEN" (the 'AM' somewhat smaller) , vertically "SCHNEIDER" having the first letter 'E' in common.
I should add that the Kaiserhafen no longer exists as such: this part of the inland port is now completely filled up, providing space for terminals and logistics operators.
For further information click here
Jan Mertens, 15 Jun 2008

Woermann Line

The company originated 1.10.1837 with Carl Woermann forming C. Woermann with the shipping department becoming Woermann- Linie A.G. in 1885. Wiped out by WW2 their shipping activities were gradually resumed but not as Woermann-Linie A.G., going by Lloyds, being instead under Deutshe Afrika-Linien GmbH & Co. operation until 1990 when it seems that "Woermann" shipping title was sold to CMB N.V. when the livery presumably came to an end although the "Woermann" in a ship name lasted another decade.

C. Woermann GmbH & Co. K.G. was reconstructed  in 1985 and continues to operate as importers with their website showing their original flag which is the "Variant" shown by Jarig from Brown 1926, though with a bit wider border,  which apparently dates from the start according to Talbot-Booth and is shown is shown by sources from 1885. Some sources [Reed 1901, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce 1909 and Larousse Commercial Illustrié 1930] also show this version with the blue being a frame within the field as with the 1st flag shown. The 1st version, being the change, is shown by all other sources from Brown 1929, except for the German Cigarette cards albums of Massary and Lloyd of the 1930s which show the blue as a border, not an inset frame, and have black letters, not blue.
Neale Rosanoski, 17 Sep 2009

Woermann Line variant

Image of the Woermann Linie, Hamburg, after Brown's Flags and Funnels, 1926.
Jarig Bakker, 9 May 2004

Wolgaster Hafengesellschaft (WHG)

The website of the Wolgaster Hafengesellschaft (i.e. Wolgast Port Association) shows a rather unfocused house flag, see this pageand introduction as well. Blue field, white diamond (touching the edges) bearing black initials 'WHG'.
Wolgast is indeed the "easternmost seaport of Germany", situated on the mouth of the River Peene, also known as the gate to the Isle of Usedom. (German language version offers view from the air: click 'Flug…' at upper right on 'Lage' i.e. "position" page.)
As the name says, WHG exploits Wolgast port, divided into main and south sections. The history page - not available in the English language version - learns us that the town of Wolgast and the company of Hegemann & Kämmerer jointly founded WHG in 1992 as equal partners. There are good connections to inland waterways, rail, and roads; this year, dredging operations will permit larger ships to enter the northern part of the Peene. See also presentation by Hegemann, in English.
Jan Mertens, 25 May 2008

Wortmann

The house flag on the first line, fourth down, on the "Schiffermast" of the Bremen Inland Shippers' Association represents W. Wortmann GmbH, a construction firm at Bremen : click on the flag or company site (German only)
We learn that Wortmann has been active in harbour and waterway construction for over forty years now. Have a look at "Geräte" (i.e. equipment, left menu) to get an idea of the various pontoons, cranes, etc. operated by this firm.
Tiny flag drawing enlarged green field, large white and rather squarish initials "WO", the first initial leaning toward the second and touching it. The company website uses a less dark green and shows the initials both italic and not touching.
Link to clickable photo, last but one of "Geräte" - a green flag may be espied in the background: here but, alas, not clear or large enough to determine how the house flag looks in real life.
Jan Mertens, 22 Jun 2010

H.H. Wübbe Nachfolger

H.H. Wübbe Nachfolger, Hamburg - hor. BWB flag, in center red "W".
Image after Brown's Flags and Funnels Shipping Companies of the World, compiled by J.L. Loughran, Glasgow, 1995 [lgr95]
Jarig Bakker, 17 Dec 2005

The correct name is HH Wübbe Nachfolger. You may write Wuebbe instead. The company still exists and its office is either on Vorsetzen or Johannisbollwerk (streetnames) and the flag is the same as depicted on FOTW.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 19 Mar 2007

Otto Wulf

This page lists German firms operating tugs, one of them being Otto Wulf [GmbH & Co. KG] of Cuxhaven on the mouth of the River Elbe: There is a drawing of the house flag, vertically divided RWR with a black initial ‘W’ on the middle stripe, but on none of the tug photos linked to this flag is in evidence although it appears on most funnels.

Still, there is this, found on German eBay, showing the division of stripes as being 1:2:1.  This was offer no. 120135696059 (end 1 Jul 2007) put up by “vexillologe”.  Dimensions of table flag given as 16 cm x 24 cm.

Company website (again, a flag drawing), in English: Founded in 1921 by Otto Wulf, active in diving (hence “Taucher”) and salvaging, the firm is still family-owned - fourth generation by now.  Business has developed to include towage and transport. The company seat is Cuxhaven; a branch at Rostock, former GDR, was opened in 1993. The ‘Fleet’ section presents six tugs (not all details were accessible when checking) and two
specialized pontoons.  No house flag sighted in the ‘Photos’ section nor on Shipspotting or Tugspotters.  But here it can be made out.
Jan Mertens, 1 Aug 2008

Reederei Hermann Wulff

The company was established in 1960 as a coatal shipping companies. Todax the main branches are bulk shipping and freighting. For further information click: company webpage. The flag is beige or light yellow. In the centre is a white lozenge containing a green initial "W" with top lines parallel to the lozenge's edges.
Sources: company webpage and Josef Nüsse's webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 26 June 2012

back to W-companies main page click here