Competition between Dutch Skippers, German Ship-owners, and the Transition to Steam

In the nineteenth century, Rhine skippers faced new competition. Firstly, in 1830, the Mainz Act abolished the monopolies on part of the Rhine for skippers from certain states. This created competition between skippers and also gave steam navigation more of a change on the river. The traditional skippers who had their ships towed upstream by teams of up to ten horses, but sailed downstream, now had to become more efficient. To this end, the horse stations were reorganized. However, from 1843 a train also ran from Antwerp to Cologne. This form of transport also posed a threat to the skipper. Mo... Mehr ...