Steam tug that survived two world wars reappears in Serbia after drought
Amidst severe drought, a historic steam tug once lost beneath the Sava River has resurfaced, delighting locals who flock to witness 'Sava's Titanic'. This vessel, which sank in 1945 after a tragic encounter with a mine, revitalizes memories of the Balkans' complex history. Its emergence underscores the grim water shortages plaguing significant European rivers today.
A century-old steam tug known locally as "Sava's Titanic" has resurfaced after a long absence in Serbia's Sava River. Extreme heat and a severe drought across Central and Southeastern Europe have drastically lowered water levels, revealing the rusting vessel. Built in 1913 by a Budapest, Hungary shipyard, the 177-foot ship originally called the Vag changed its name to Slovenac in 1921 when it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.
The tug survived the First World War and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before being used for military purposes during the Second World War. In late April 1945, it sank while carrying wounded fighters near the Serbian village of Drenovac after hitting a German magnetic river mine. The wreck has remained in the same spot for nearly 80 years, with only small parts visible during earlier drought periods.
Now, as the Sava River hits record lows, the steam tug has once again come into view, attracting crowds of locals and historians alike.
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