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 long, with a beam of . She had a depth of and a draught of . She was assessed at , . She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of , and diameter by 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. It could propel the ship at .
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. She was allocated the Code Letters DQPY.
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. On 5 September 1940, she struck a mine and sank in the Westerschelde off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands. Four of her crew were killed.
References
Sources