SS Deutschland (1923)
Encyclopedia
SS Deutschland Sometimes called Deutschland IV to distinguish from others of the name was a 21,046 gross registered ton (GRT) German
HAPAG
ocean liner
which was sunk in a British air attack in 1945, with great loss of life.
One of a group of four ships that included the SS Albert Ballin, SS Hamburg
, and SS New York, the Deutschland was launched on 28 April 1923. She began her maiden voyage
on 27 March 1924, to Southampton
and then on to New York City
. The ship had tremendous problems with vibration, becoming known as the "Cocktail Shaker"; she was re-engined in 1929, with service speed reduced to 19 knots.
In 1940, she became an accommodation ship for the German navy
at Gotenhafen. In 1945, on seven Baltic voyages, she carried 70,000 soldiers and refugees from the German eastern territories to the west.
. The story goes that an attempt was made to paint the vessel white, but there was only sufficient paint available to paint her funnels white, and to paint a Red Cross on one side of one of her funnels. On 3 May 1945, she capsized and sank in the Bay of Lübeck
off Neustadt
after a British air attack. The same British air attack sank SS Cap Arcona and Thielbek.
In 1949, her wreck was raised and scrapped.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
HAPAG
Hapag
Hapag may mean:* Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actiengesellschaft , a former German shipping company, see Hamburg America Line or Hapag-Lloyd* 724 Hapag, a minor planet...
ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
which was sunk in a British air attack in 1945, with great loss of life.
One of a group of four ships that included the SS Albert Ballin, SS Hamburg
SS Hamburg (1926)
SS Hamburg was a German ocean liner owned by the Hamburg America Line, built by the Blohm & Voss Shipbuilders of Hamburg, Germany and launched in 1926. She had a sister ship the New York. They were similar to the ....
, and SS New York, the Deutschland was launched on 28 April 1923. She began her maiden voyage
Maiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
on 27 March 1924, to Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
and then on to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The ship had tremendous problems with vibration, becoming known as the "Cocktail Shaker"; she was re-engined in 1929, with service speed reduced to 19 knots.
In 1940, she became an accommodation ship for the German navy
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
at Gotenhafen. In 1945, on seven Baltic voyages, she carried 70,000 soldiers and refugees from the German eastern territories to the west.
Sinking
In April 1945, she possibly began conversion to a hospital shipHospital ship
A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones....
. The story goes that an attempt was made to paint the vessel white, but there was only sufficient paint available to paint her funnels white, and to paint a Red Cross on one side of one of her funnels. On 3 May 1945, she capsized and sank in the Bay of Lübeck
Bay of Lübeck
The Bay of Lübeck is a basin in the southwestern Baltic Sea, off the shores of German lands of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein. It forms the southwestern part of the Bay of Mecklenburg....
off Neustadt
Neustadt in Holstein
Neustadt in Holstein is a town in the district of Ostholstein, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is situated on the Bay of Lübeck , approx...
after a British air attack. The same British air attack sank SS Cap Arcona and Thielbek.
In 1949, her wreck was raised and scrapped.