History of the WolfgangseeSchifffahrt
Long before 1873, when the paddle steamer "Kaiser Franz Josef I." was launched as the first steamboat on the Wolfgangsee, the lake was already heavily traversed by other boat traffic. Mainly pilgrims were transported by small wooden vessels, so-called "Traunderln“, between Fürberg and St. Wolfgang.
In 1869 Berthold Currant, a local railway engineer, tried to secure a shipping license for the lake. He was aided in his efforts by Albert Pietz, the director of the Steyrermühl paper mill. In early 1873, the individual components for the “Kaiser” were delivered from Linz to Strobl. After local assembly took place, the steamer made its successful maiden voyage on 20 May 1873. This day is still recognized as the start of a new era on the Wolfgangsee.