German trawler V 107 Botilla Russ

V 107 Botilla Russ was a German cargo ship which was converted into a Vorpostenboot and then a Sperrbrecher for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.

History
Name
  • Botilla Russ (1922–40)
  • Sperrbrecher 137 (1940–44)
Owner
  • Ernst Russ (1922–39)
  • Kriegsmarine (1939–44)
Port of registry
BuilderAtlas Werke
Yard number166
LaunchedAugust 1922
Commissioned1 October 1939
Out of service28 January 1944
Identification
  • Code Letters RCQF (1922–34)
  • Code Letters DHCY (1934–39)
  • Pennant number V 107 (1939–40)
FateStruck a mine and sank off the coast of France
General characteristics
Class and typeVorpostenboot (Converted cargo ship)
Tonnage996 GRT, 586 NRT
Length68.28 m (224 ft 0 in)
Beam10.13 m (33 ft 3 in)
Depth4.14 m (13 ft 7 in)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine, 129 nhp
Propulsion1 screw propeller
Speed10+12 knots (19.4 km/h)

Description

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The ship was 68.28 metres (224 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 10.13 metres (33 ft 3 in) and a depth of 4.14 metres (13 ft 7 in). She was assessed at 966 GRT, 586 NRT She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 45.9 centimetres (18+116 in), 75 centimetres (29+12 in) and 123 centimetres (48+12 in) diameter by 75 centimetres (29+12 in) stroke. The engine was built by Atlas Werke, Bremen. It was rated at 129nhp,[1] and could propel her at 10+12 knots (19.4 km/h).[2]

History

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Botilla Russ was built in 1922 by Atlas Werke for Ernst Russ, Hamburg, Germany. The Code Letters RCQF were allocated.[1] In 1934, her Code Letters were changed to DHCY.[3]

On 1 October 1939, Bottila Russs was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine. She served with 1 Vorpostenflotille as V 107 Botilla Russ. On 22 June 1940, she was transferred to 3 Sperrbrecherflotille as Sperrbrecher 137.[4] She struck a mine and sank off the coast of Finistère, France on 28 January 1944.[2][5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Botilla Russ (66047)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Steamers & Motorships. BOS-BOU (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1930–1931. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
  2. ^ a b "Sperrbrecher-137 (Botilla Russ) [+1944]". Wrecksite. 4 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Botilla Russ (21655)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Navires à Voiles. BOT-BOX (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1935–1936. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
  4. ^ "Vorpostenboote der deutschen Kriegsmarine 1939–45". wlb-stuttgart.de (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Single Ship Report for "5605633"". Miramar Ship Index.