The MS Oldenburg is a regular sight in Bideford, but how much is known about her history? She started out in 1958 as a Friesian Island cargo/passenger ferry operated by the German Railway Company Deutz Bundesbahn. She was very strongly built to withstand winter ice and able to carry an amazing 370 passengers. 

Her next role was due to a loophole in EEC regulations, where it was possible to sell duty-free butter and other products just offshore. Oldenburg was one of a fleet of so-called ‘Butter Cruisers’ operating around the coast of Germany. The only change from her original design was the conversion of the aft saloon into a supermarket. 

When Lundy considered purchasing the ship in 1985, the ship slipped at Wilhelmshaven in Germany and a basic survey was conducted. This proved positive with only minor structural repairs required for UK operation. As a result of this, a deal was struck with the owner of the ship and work started. While the ship was in dock, her colours were changed from white and, as she was considered to be the ‘Royal Yacht’ for Lundy, she was painted German Schvartzblau, meaning Black Blue, with a white superstructure similar to the Queen’s yacht Britannia. She would also sport a buff funnel.

On launching, trials were carried out in the Wilhelmshaven estuary and the ship put to sea. She was found to have an abundance of German sausages, or Knockwurst, on board along with a Knockwurst boiler. This was to be the crew’s main sustenance until the ship reached Poole. Within a very short time she hit heavy weather and rolled unmercifully. The rolling stirred up sediment in the fuel tanks and blocked the fuel filters within minutes. As the supply of filters was not enough to complete the trip, the German agent agreed to purchase a case of filters and deliver them to Emden, further down the German coast. To avoid harbour dues, the captain nosed the ship into the quay and the boxes of filters were hurled aboard. The weather was not good, but the ship proved she could make good way in very poor conditions. Throughout, the ship was plagued by filter problems and had to be anchored off the beaches of Dunkerque to avoid a rough night at sea. The ship entered Poole on the last filter where her tanks were cleaned.