Przemiany w żegludze odrzańskiej w latach 1815–1945
The Transformations of the Oder Navigation in 1815–1945

Summary/Abstract: The article outlines the technical, economic and political conditions of the Oder navigation. The industrialisation caused a significant growth in cargo transportation, the greater part of which was taken over by the railways. The mechanisation of the Oder navigation on a larger scale occurred in the 1880s after the introduction of steam tugboats. In the 1880s and 1890s mass investments in the Oder navigation could be observed as well as the rebuilding of the canals leading to Berlin and the Elbe river. Additionally, Szczecin received its significant “huge waterway” to Berlin, which was completed before the World War I. All these investments were to boost the Oder navigation competitiveness against the growing potential of the Prussian railways, as well as the construction of the Mittelland Canal. On the other hand, there were some obvious limitations. They included the short navigation period and a relatively small number of days during which ships could operate fully loaded. Another negative factor impacting the full usage of the cargo ships was connected to the dominance of the exported goods over the ones that were imported to the Oder ports. Furthermore, during the 1930s crisis, the state intervention concerned freighters and the issue of limiting competitiveness on the transport market. The goal of disburdening the railways during both the World Wars was not realised to the extent it was expected and desired.

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