Georg Steenke

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Georg Jakob Steenke (1801 – 1884) was a German architect from Königsberg and the royal Baurat (construction councillor) of the Kingdom of Prussia. His father Johann Friedrich Steenke and grandfather, also from Königsberg, were involved with maritime trade.

In 1833 Steenke built a canal, the Seckenburger Kanal, in the Memel (Klaipėda) area. He designed the Oberländischer Kanal (now Elbląg Canal), which was built between 1844–58 from the Drausensee (Drużno) to the Drewenz (Drwęca) River. Inaugurated in 1860, it connected the cities of Deutsch Eylau (Iława), Osterode (Ostróda), and Elbing (Elbląg). It connected territories with about 100 yards differences in heights by putting ships on tracks and using a system of locks.

A plaque to honor Steenke was removed after the area became part of Poland in 1945. UNESCO placed the canal on its list of architectural marvels.