No, we are not a museum
The three-master fared badly. Set ablaze by more than a dozen guns positioned on the beach, the Danish “Christian VIII.” exploded on April 5, 1849, killing hundreds of people. The allied frigate “Gefion” fared somewhat better. It was badly damaged and became prey to the Germans in this episode of the Schleswig-Holstein War (1848 to 1851) known as the “Battle of Eckernförde.” The figurehead still adorns Eckernförde Town Hall today, and the town’s Gefion Fountain is even named after that event. In Eckernförde’s spa park, you can also admire the anchor of the former Danish warship.
There are also various cannonballs, pistols, officer's sabers and a baton artfully made from sailor's knots to admire. However, these artifacts are more likely to be hidden on a shelf or hanging above the sofa in the living room. They are part of the "Ingo Jaich Collection", which is unfortunately not on public display. Unfortunately, one has to say, because what the founder of the "im-jaich" company has collected in almost 40 years of passion for collecting deserves its own museum.
The books, paintings or nautical instruments, all the seaman's chests, fishing equipment or maritime display cases are far too valuable to be hidden away. The walking stick with a compass and carved nude figure; another stick that also contains a sword and binoculars; the display case with the water made of rubber and which, with a crank, makes a ship heel - such things belong in the light of public view and are admired by all.
This is especially true of the navigation textbook from 1824 in which a certain Johann Schult summarizes his knowledge of nautical science - in legible handwriting, with colorful hand drawings and as heavy and large as a modern coffee table book. The cover of this unique copy alone is worth seeing in every respect: on the cover, a Danish two-decker rushes through heavy seas, while all kinds of navigation equipment frames the rigging.
