German trawler V 403 Deutschland

History
Name	Deutschland
Namesake	Germany
Owner	Hanseatische Hochseefischerei AG. (1934–39) Kriegsmarine (1939–40)
Port of registry	Bremerhaven, Germany (1934–39)   Kriegsmarine (1939–40)
Builder	Deschimag Seebeckwerft
Yard number	521
Launched	July 1934
Completed	4 August 1934
Commissioned	3 September 1939
Out of service	5 September 1940
Identification	Fishing boat registration BX 247 (1934–39) Code Letters DQPY Pennant Number V 404 (1939) Pennant Number V 403 (1939–40)
Fate	Struck a mine and sank
General characteristics
Type	Fishing trawler (1934–39) Vorpostenboot (1939–40)
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)

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.

Description

Deutschland 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

The 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

1. Gröner 1993, p. 205.
2. "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.
3. Gröner 1993, p. 212.
4. "Naval Events, September 1940, Part 1 of 2, Sunday 1st – Saturday 14th". Naval History. Retrieved 29 November 2022.

Sources

• 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.