Initially used for seaside resort services between Stettin and Swinemünde, the steamer Berlin suffered a steering failure on July 24, 1914, near the Oder's mouth. Traveling at full speed, it rammed and split the oncoming tugboat Ostsee, which was towing the Swedish freighter Porjus. A subsequent collision with the freighter caused the Berlin to sink bow-first into the shallow waters, leaving its upper decks above water. After WWI, the small steamer was repaired and returned to its original route. In 1935, it was acquired by J.F. Braeunlich. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in WWII but returned in 1940, it maintained limited local service before assisting in East Prussian refugee evacuations during the war's final weeks. Post-war, the ship was ceded to the USSR, operating in the Black Sea as the Pestel until around 1960.
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