The Island of Neuwerk [EU-127]

by Wolfgang Schippke, DC3MF (26. March 1997)


The island of Neuwerk, seen from airoplane


On the 30th of April, 1997, the German Island Neuwerk will be activated by a group of German Amateur-Radio's for the second time. It is announced, that the operation will take place till the 04th of May. Neuwerk is one of the rar German Islands, also for EU-127, also for the G.I.A., the German Island Diploma.
Neuwerk is located on 53N53, 08E30, north-west of Cuxhaven, and about 10 kilometers offshore. The island is 3.5 km² in area, and several parts, most in the north, are man-made. There are permanently 40 inhabitans, living in a small village. On the island stands one of the smallest schools all over Germany, with 4 children.
Neuwerk is a very historical place. First named in 900 as Nige Ooge, it became a part of the Hanse of Hamburg 1204. In 1305 a frist simple ship-light was errected on an iron tower, 5 meters high. In 1312 the today well known frotification tower was errected, and topped by a light. In 1935 the island became a part of Cuxhaven, and so it was placed to Niedersachsen State, but it was returned to the Hanse of Hamburg in 1969.
This is the abstract of W.Schippke,'Die Insel Neuwerk', in FT Magazine, Vol 9, April 1997, p 49-50