Germania was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot, serving as V 403 Germania and V 410 Germania. She sank in the Gironde Estuary in August 1944.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Germania |
| Owner |
|
| Port of registry |
|
| Builder | Howaldtswerke AG |
| Yard number | 753 |
| Launched | 11 July 1934 |
| Completed | 4 August 1934 |
| Commissioned | 17 September 1939 |
| Out of service | 12 August 1944 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Struck a mine and sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 427 GRT, 168 NRT |
| Length | 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 8.34 m (27 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 3.97 m (13 ft 0 in) |
| Depth | 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion steam engine, 79nhp |
| Propulsion | Single screw propeller |
| Speed | 13+1⁄2 knots (25.0 km/h) |
Description
editGermania was 50.50 metres (165 ft 8 in) long, with a beam of 8.34 metres (27 ft 4 in). She had a depth of 4.65 metres (15 ft 3 in) and a draught of 3.97 metres (13 ft 0 in).[1] She was assessed at 427 GRT, 168 NRT. The ship was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 37 centimetres (14+3⁄4 in), 61 centimetres (24 in) and 100 centimetres (39+3⁄8 in) diameter by 65 centimetres (25+9⁄16 in) stroke. The engine was built by Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel, Germany and was rated at 79nhp. It drove a single screw propeller.[2] It could propel the ship at 13+1⁄2 knots (25.0 km/h).[1]
History
editGermania was built as yard number 753 by Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel, Germany. She was launched on 11 July 1934 and completed on 4 August. She was built for N. Ebling Hochseefischerei, Bremerhaven, Germany. [1] The Code Letters DOPX were allocated,[2] as was the fishing boat registration BX 248.[1]
On 17 September 1939, she was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine and commissioned with 4 Vorpostenflotille as the Vorpostenboot V 403 Germania. On 16 October 1939, she was redesignated V 410 Germania.[1] On 12 August 1942, she was attacked by Bristol Beaufighter aircraft of 235 and 248 Squadrons, Royal Air Force and set afire.[3][4] Germania sank in the Gironde Estuary with the loss of three of her crew.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Gröner 1993, p. 184.
- ^ a b "Germania (08841)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Chalutiers &c. GER (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1934–1935. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
- ^ "12 August 1944" (PDF). War Diary, German Naval Staff Operations Division, August 1944. United States Naval History Division: 225. 1945.
- ^ Rohwer, Jürgen; Gerhard Hümmelchen. "Seekrieg 1944, August". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 11 September 2015.
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.