Medal commemorating the SS 'Rotterdam' and the Kiel Canal. Obverse: Port broadside view of the four-masted steamer 'Rotterdam' with a tug alongside; above, a semi-circular band bearing (centre) the German eagle crowned, and decorated with the arms of 'ROTTERDAM', 'KUPENHAGEN', 'KIEL' and 'HELGOLAND'; below, the arms of Holland, crowned, with supporters. On a band the inscription: 'HET SS ROTTERDAM KAPT. F. H. BONJER KNMR : PASS . NA DE SLUITSTEENLEGGING TEERST ZONDER EENIG BEZWAAR HET KAISER WILHELM-KANAAL.' (The SS 'Rotterdam', Capt F.H. Bonjer K.N.M.R. [Capt. Royal Naval Reserve] after the laying of the keystone, the first to pass the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal without any difficulty.) Exergue: '22-23 JUNI 1895 N . A . S . M . EXCURSIE KIEL 15-25 JUNI 1895.' (Excursion to Kiel 16-25 June 1895.) Reverse: A fleet of battleships at anchor in harbour; above, a hand holding a palm branch issuing from a cloud, rayed, supporting a coat of arms and a ribbon composed of the flags of several nations. A map of the canal flanked by heraldic shields is shown below.