Ostanleger Wangerooge, Former jetty on Wangerooge island, Germany
Ostanleger Wangerooge is a deteriorating jetty on the eastern shore of Wangerooge island with wooden piles that jut into the North Sea. The structure consists of multiple parallel rows of timber posts that once anchored ferry traffic and now remain as weathered remnants of its maritime past.
The jetty was built in 1902 by Norddeutscher Lloyd and operated ferry services until 1958 connecting to Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven ports. Its decline began when larger vessels could reach the island directly, making the old landing point obsolete.
The jetty served as a gathering place where islanders and visitors met to board ferries and receive supplies from the mainland. It represented the lifeline that kept the community connected to the wider world beyond the island.
Visit during low tide when more of the structure is exposed and easier to approach from the beach. Access is straightforward via the eastern coastal path, and no special equipment is needed to observe the weathered piles.
The jetty had to be repeatedly repositioned and rebuilt throughout its operational years because sand constantly accumulated in the nearby Blauen Balje tidal channel. This ongoing struggle with natural sediment movement was an expensive headache that required frequent maintenance and relocation.
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