Pirate Fighting on Salzach River.: The "seaman's guild" of Laufen and Oberndorf, the two seaman's towns on the German Austrian border, was celebrating the 675th anniversary of its foundation. The "Schiffergilde" (seamen's guild) was something like a city-militia in order to protect the ships which were coming down the Salzach River from Salzburg district carrying salt from the attacks of the pirates. At the occasion of the celebration of this anniversay there was an common festival for the German Laufen and the Austrian Oberndorf. The climax of this festival was the "pirate battle" on River Salzach. Clad in their historical uniforms the members of the guild hunted the pirates who were also wearing true pirate clothing. The small boats quickly went through the fast waters of the Salzach River. The pirates were driven ashore by the guild and taken prisoner after an embittered fighting.Next day the border was opened for the procession of the Laufen seamen who were going to Oberndorf where the arch-bishop of Salzburg, Dr. Rohracher, held a common mass for the German and Austrian seamen of the Salzach River. The members of the seamens' guild are firing in the trees where the pirates are hidden.
Photo measures 7.25 x 9.5 inches.
Photo is dated --0000.
Photo back:
