Deutschland was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot. She served as V 404 Deutschland and V 403 Deutschland. She struck a mine and sank off the Dutch coast in August 1940.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Deutschland |
| Namesake | Germany |
| Owner |
|
| Port of registry |
|
| Builder | Deschimag Seebeckwerft |
| Yard number | 521 |
| Launched | July 1934 |
| Completed | 4 August 1934 |
| Commissioned | 3 September 1939 |
| Out of service | 5 September 1940 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Struck a mine and sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Type |
|
| Tonnage | 432 GRT, 161 NRT |
| Length | 51.35 metres (168 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 8.00 metres (26 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 4.65 metres (15 ft 3 in) |
| Depth | 3.74 metres (12 ft 3 in) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion steam engine, 95nhp |
| Propulsion | Single screw propeller |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
Description
editDeutschland was 51.35 metres (168 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 8.00 metres (26 ft 3 in). She had a depth of 3.74 metres (12 ft 3 in) and a draught of 4.65 metres (15 ft 3 in).[1] She was assessed at 432 GRT, 161 NRT. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 35 centimetres (13+3⁄4 in), 55 centimetres (21+5⁄8 in) and 90 centimetres (35+7⁄16 in) diameter by 65 centimetres (25+9⁄16 in) stroke. The engine was made by Deschimag Seebeckwerft, Wesermünde, Germany. It was rated at 95nhp. The engine powered a single screw propeller driven via a low pressure turbine and double reduction gearing.[2] It could propel the ship at 12 knots (22 km/h).[1]
History
editThe ship was built as yard number 521 by Deschimag Seekbeckwerft, Wesermünde for the Hanseatische Hochseefischerei AG, Bremerhaven. She was launched in July 1934 and completed on 4 August. The fishing boat registration BX 247 was allocated.[3] She was allocated the Code Letters DQPY.[2]
Deutschland was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine on 3 September 1939 for use as a vorpostenboot. She was allocated to 4 Vorpostenflotille as V 404 Deutschland. On 16 October she was redesignated V 403 Deutschland.[3] On 5 September 1940, she struck a mine and sank in the Westerschelde off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands.[4] Four of her crew were killed.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Gröner 1993, p. 205.
- ^ a b "Deutschland (64508)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Trawlers &c. D (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1934–1935. Retrieved 29 November 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
- ^ a b c Gröner 1993, p. 212.
- ^ "Naval Events, September 1940, Part 1 of 2, Sunday 1st – Saturday 14th". Naval History. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
Sources
edit- Gröner, Erich (1993). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945 (in German). Vol. 8/I: Flußfahrzeuge, Ujäger, Vorpostenboote, Hilfsminensucher, Küstenschutzverbände (Teil 1). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4807-5.