History of navigation

     To the half of 19. century stayed inland waterway transport on the same technical level as in previous century analogous to land transportation. To successive goods traffic expansion on Elbe and in part also on Vltava contribute international convention in 19. century and law-organization act of state to the waterways regime, more efficient organization and capital safeguard of business and rivers regulation. Elbe convention was underwritten by all Baltic states on 23 th June in 1821 in Dresden. This convention operated free navigation on Elbe and it disturbed to many duties. In 1822 has arisen Prague shipping company. Andrewson and Pritchard steam navigation shipping company was pioneer in personal watercraft and cargo shipping on the middle and low Danube. Initiator of steam navigation shipping in Czech Republic was John Andrews. John Andrews with ship´s designer Joseph J. Ruston build paddle steamer Bohemia in May 1841 in Prague. From June 1841 was Bohemia used for personal watercraft on Elbe.

                                                                   

      Personal watercraft has become inherent part of Elbe transport. Steamship stage was practically in all villages. In 1864 was etablished Czech company stock for steam navigation on Vltava. In 1937 took over a personal watercraft Czech Elbe company stock, in the end was as a Elbe - Oder company affiliated to the Transport undertaking of Prague.

     Articles about history of navigation: