German trawler V 406 Hans Loh

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History
Germany
Name
  • 1936: Hans Loh
  • Sept 1939: V-402
  • Oct 1939: V-406
OwnerGrundmann & Gröschel
Operator1939: War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg Kriegsmarine
Port of registry1936: Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg Wesermünde
Builder DeSchiMAG Seebeck, Wesermünde
Yard number565
Launched23 November 1936
Completed7 January 1937
Commissionedinto Kriegsmarine: 17 September 1939
Identification
FateSunk by mine, 1942
General characteristics
Type fishing trawler
Tonnage464  GRT, 169  NRT
Length163.3 ft (49.8 m)
Beam26.4 ft (8.0 m)
Draught13 ft 7 in (4.15 m)
Depth13.3 ft (4.1 m)
Installed power
Propulsion1 × shaft; 1 × screw
Speed12 knots (22 km/h)
Sensors &
processing systems
Notes sister ship: Franz Dankworth

The German trawler V 406 Hans Loh was a steam trawler that became a Vorpostenboot (patrol boat) in the Second World War. She was launched in Germany in 1936 as Hans Loh. In September 1939 she was converted into the VorpostenbootV-402. That October she was renumbered V-206. A mine sank her in the Gironde estuary in August 1942, killing 18 members of her crew.

Contents

Building and registration

In 1936–37 Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau (DeSchiMAG) built a pair of trawlers at its Seebeck shipyard in Wesermünde, Bremerhaven for the fishing fleet of Grundmann & Gröschel. Yard number 560 was launched as Franz Dankworth, and completed in 1936. Her sister ship was built as yard number 565; launched on 23 November 1936 as Hans Loh; and completed on 7 January 1937. [1]

Hans Loh had the same specifications as Franz Dankworth. [2] Her registered length was 163.3 ft (49.8 m); her beam was 26.4 ft (8.0 m); and her depth was 13.3 ft (4.1 m). [3] Her draught was 13 ft 7 in (4.15 m). [4] Her tonnages were 464  GRT and 169  NRT. She had a cruiser stern, and a single screw. She was equipped with wireless direction finding, and an echo sounding device. [3]

DeSchiMAG also built her engines. Her main engine was a three-cylinder triple-expansion engine. It was supplemented by an exhaust steam turbine, which drove the same propeller shaft via DeSchiMAG's patent Bauer-Wach system of a Föttinger fluid coupling and double-reduction gearing. The combined power of her reciprocating engine plus exhaust turbine was rated at 96 NHP, [3] and gave her a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h). [4]

Grundmann & Gröschel registered Hans Loh at Wesermünde. Her port letter and number were PG 509, [5] [6] and her wireless telegraph call sign was DFCQ. [3]

Vorpostenboot

The Kriegsmarine requisitioned Hans Loh on 17 September 1939; had her converted into a Vorpostenboot, and commissioned her as V-402. She served in the 4. Vorpostenflottille ("4th Patrol Boat Flotilla"), which operated in the North Sea. On 16 October 1939 she was renumbered V-406. After France capitulated to Germany, the flotilla was transferred to the Bay of Biscay; mainly Bordeaux and Bayonne. [6]

On 18 August 1942, V-406 steamed north up the coast from Arcachon to Royan with V 407 Dorum and V 411 Saarland. As the three trawlers entered the Gironde Estuary, V-406 struck a mine that the French submarine Rubis had laid, and sank at position 45°02′N1°32.7′W / 45.033°N 1.5450°W / 45.033; -1.5450 . V-411 rescued 24 members of V-406's crew, but one died shortly afterward. V-411 landed survivors at Royan. [7] In total, 18 members of V-406's crew were killed. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Gröner 1993, pp. 205, 212.
  2. ↑ Lloyd's Register 1938, FRA.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Lloyd's Register 1938 , HAN
  4. 1 2 Gröner 1993, p. 205.
  5. 1 2 Gröner 1993, p. 212.
  6. 1 2 "Vorpostenboote 1939 - 1945; 1 – 20". Flottenverbände der deutschen Kriegsmarine (in German). Württembergische Landesbibliothek . Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Claes, Johnny; Mignen, André; Serge, Serret (24 January 2024). "Hans Loh FV (1936~1939) V-406 (Hans Loh) [+1942]". Wrecksite . Retrieved 14 October 2024.

Bibliography

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