Dutch cargo ship (ex-Nieuwkerk 1928-1934) Boschfontein 1934-1956 (Boschkerk 1956-1958)

As Boschfontein. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde, Vlissingen 12 November 1934. 

 Zeeuws Archief, Kon. Mij. De Schelde, collectie 7513, nr 3329

Launched as passenger-cargo ship by Machinefabriek en Scheepswerf van P. Smit Jr. N.V., Rotterdam, Netherlands with yard number 418 in 1928, delivered on 15 October 1928 to owner/manager N.V. Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaartmaatschappij, The Hague, Netherlands rebuilt by Kon.Mij. De Schelde, Vlissingen, Netherlands in November 1934 and renamed Boschfontein, renamed Boschkerk in November 1956, badly damaged in a fire on 19 October 1958 and sold to be broken up at Hamburg, Germany in December 1958 arriving there on 26 December. 

Romanian steamship Jiul bound for England according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 2 December 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 2 December 1939 No. 491 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmach Abteilung Ausland the ships passing the Dardanelles coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for the enemy. An item mentioned the Romanian steamship Jiul on 25 November with 3,870 ton wheat and 975 ton barley. According to another source 3,870 ton chickpeas, 1,250 ton mais and 500 ton vetch. She came from Constanta, Romania and was bound for Liverpool, England.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

American destroyer USS McDougal DD-358 1933-1949

USS Aylwin of the Farragut-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

USS Porter. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

USS Mahan. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Porter-class (8 completed) preceded by Farragut-class succeeded by Mahan-class. Laid down by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey on 18 December 1933, launched on 17 July 1936, commissioned on 23 December 1936, decommisssioned on 24 June 1946, placed in reserve on 13 January 1947, sold on 2 August 1949, stricken on 15 August 1949 and handed over on 22 September 1949. 

British steamship Clan Ferguson with war stores bound for Canakkele and Izmir according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 29 September 1939 No. 61g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the British steamship Clan Ferguson went with the last part of her cargo around 1,500 ton of war stores to Canakkele and Izmir. She still not arrived in the last port.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Japanese destroyer Kaki 1919-1940 and Osu 1940-1948

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Momi-class preceded by Kawakaze-class succeeded by Minekaze-class. Development of the Enoki second-class destroyers building authorized under the 8-4 Fleet Program and planned 28 units of which were 21 were built and the last seven as the Wakatake-class. Laid down by Uraga Dock Company, Uraga, Japan on 27 February 1919, launched on 20 October 1919, completed on 2 August 1920, decommissioned on 1 April 1940, converted into a training ship, renamed Osu and broken up in 1948. 

Still no confirmation that British merchant ships were warned to stay away from the Black Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 29 September 1939 No. 61g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the radio messages that the British shipping had to stay away from the Black Sea were still not confirmed. British ships however did not accept cargoes for the Russian Black Sea. Cargoes for Bulgarian and Romanian harbours were still accepted.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Characteristics of British cruiser HMS Aurora as reported to the German Marineattaché at London on 16 September 1935

Leander-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Arethusa-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Town-class Southampton-subclass. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Dido-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London was informed by the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the cruiser HMS Aurora was laid down on 23 July 1935. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 5,200 tons/5,285 metric tons and as dimensions 500.0 (waterline) x 51.0 (extreme beam at or below waterline) x 13.10 (mean draught at standard displacement) feet. Heaviest calibre 6”.(1)

Note

1. Part of Arthusa-class light cruisers preceded by Leander-class succeeded by Town- and Dido-classes.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/120. 

Characteristics of German submarine U 1 as reported to the British Admiralty on 23 October 1935

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London informed the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the submarine U 1 laid down in April 1935 and completed on 29 June 1935. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 250 tons/243 metric tons and as dimensions 41.6 (waterline) x 4.0 (extreme beam at or below waterline) x 3.85 (average draught at standard displacement) metres. Heaviest calibre 2cm.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/119. 

Dutch suction dredger (ex-Arco Axe 1989-2019) Delta D 2019-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16-3-2025

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Sas van Gent, IMO 8803783, MMSI 244720000 and call sign PCWY. Owner/manager MCR Shipping BV, Roosendaal, Netherlands. Built by Babcock Marine Appledore, Appledore, England in 1989. 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Willem M. Sten returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 23 August 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 22 August reported the arrival at Texel, Netherlands on 21 August of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Willem M. Stend 7.5 whale 240 quardelen.

Dutch Greenland commandeur Jan Z. Quast returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 23 August 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 22 August reported the arrival at Texel, Netherlands on 21 August of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Jan Z. Quast 7 whales 260 quardelen. 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Michiel O. Hogerzeyl returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 23 August 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 22 August reported the arrival at Texel, Netherlands on 20 August of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Michiel O. Hogerzeyl 7 whales 220 quardelen. 

Container ship (ex-P&O Nedlloyd Stuyvesant 2001-2006, Maers Kingston 2006-2007, Maesrk Klaipeda 2007-2021) W Klaipeda 2021-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16-3-2025

Marshall Islands-flagged, homeport Majuro, IMO 9211482, MMSI 538009143 and call sign V7A4374. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan, South Korea. In 2021 of Bernhard Schulte, Hamburg, Germany. 

German naval auxiliary supply ship ms Dresden in 1939

Admiral Graf Spee. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

In a letter dated 13 April 1942 No. 1329 to the O.K.M./1 Abteilung Skl. was the so-called ‘Etappen’-organisation of the navy described. In the attachment were the blockade runners decribed used for this purpose. Ms. Dresden (1) naval auxiliary supply ship for the pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, left Coquimbo on 19 October 1939, arrived at Santos on 25 November 1939, no utilization by the latter. For auxiliary cruiser H.S.K. 16, left Santos on 28 March 1941, arrived at St. Jean de Luz on 29 May 1941 with 329 American prisoners of Zamzam and handed over to the RVM on 29 May 1941. 

Notes

1. Launched by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany with yard number 735 for Norddeutscher Lloyd on 26 May 1937, commissioned on 7 July 1937, scuttled as blockship in the entrance to the Gironde, France on 25 August 1944, salvaged, in March 1946 as France-flagged Doba, used for transport of military and troops to French Indochina and grounded and lost off Ras Hafonne, Gulf of Aden underway from Ceylon to Djibouti/French Somaliland ([Republic of Djibouti since 1992) on 21 July 1950.

2. Of the Deutschland-class consisting of the Admiral Graf Spee, Deutschland (1940 renamed Admiral Lützow) and the Admiral Scheer. In the international press called pocket battleship with the idea outrunning each ship which was too powerful for her but able to destroy any other ship. Very suitable to serve as commercial raider. Building ordered as the Ersatz Braunschweig). Laid down on the Reichmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, Germany with yard number 125 on 1 October 1932, launched on 30 June 1934, commissioned on 6 January 1936, successful in destroying 50.089 gross tonnage of merchant ships, participated in the Battle of the Rio de La Plata on 13 December 1939 and finally scuttled to prevent capture on 17 December1939.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223 

Crude oil consumption by Italian shipping traffic between Piraeus, Greece-and Tobruk, Libya in October 1942

In an attachment of a letter dated Berlin, Germany 5 November No. 2308/42 was the estimated Italian consumption of crude oil in October 1942 described for the Italian traffic between Piraeus, Greece-and Tobruk, Libya for 2 convoys of 3 steamships escorted by 3 torpedo boats 5,000 tons

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223Band 2 Jan. 1942 - Dez. 1943

Italian sailing ship Lavinia lost in 1916

According to a list of the Italian Department for transport over sea and by rail was she lost on 14 August 1916 due to submarine attack on the location 12 miles of the island Capraia. Tonnage 243 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 20/728.

British fleet tanker RFA Gold Rover A271 1972-2019

Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain 9 March 2005

United Kingdom-flagged, call sign GRET, IMO 7306221 and MMSI 232502000. Part of Rover-class preceded by Dale-class succeeded by Tide-class. Ordered in 1971, laid down by wan Hunter Shipyard, Wallsend, United Kingdom on behalf of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary on 28 February 1972, launched on 7 March 1973, completed and commisssioned on 22 March 1974, decommissioned on 6 March 2017 and broken up at Aliaga, Turkey in 2019. 

Locations in the vicinity of Batumi, Georgia forbidden area for fishery according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 29 September 1939 No. 61g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that in the vicinity of Batumi, Georgia several locations were now forbidden area for fishery. Probably were mines laid. The naval attaché had serious doubts about the value of this news.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Japanese naval force sighted off the Marshall Islands according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 17 January 1942

An item reported that a Japanese force of 4 warships, 19 troop transports, 8 aircraft supply vessels or seaplane tenders and a hospital ship were sighted near the Marshall Islands. There was evidence that 2 aircraft carriers were to be added to this force.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 17 January 1942 No. 38. 

Japanese cargo ship (ex-Itiyo Maru, Ichiyo Maru) Tairai Maru -1945

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ships Batavia Maru, Ganges Maru, Heimei Maru, Hiburi Maru, Hokuryu Maru, Indus Maru, Kairyu Maru, Surabaya Maru, Kayo Maru, Meiko Maru, Tonan Maru, Tosei Maru and Yamato Maru. Call sign JPWC. Built by Osaka Iron Works Ld., Innoshima, Japan in October 1925, requisitioned by navy. Sunk by American submarine USS Spadefish (SS-411) in the Yellow Sea of the Korean west coast on 4 February 1945. Gross tonnage 4,274 tons, under deck 3,677 tons, netto tonnage 2,659 tons and as dimensions 345.0 x 49.8 x 28.1 x 7.6 (light)-24 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw, horsepower 390 nhp, coal bunker capacity 1,200 tons, range 9,600 nautical miles/10 knots and speed 10 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. 

Turkey taking over cargo of British steamship Lassell including Polish aircraft according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 29 September 1939 No. 61g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the cargo (1) of the British steamship Lassell was taken over by Turkey. On 26 September visited a Turkish commission the ship and examined the aircraft and so on. A final decision was awaited. On 29 September she was still berth without preparing to unload her cargo.

Note

1. The aircraft were originally intended for Poland.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

British merchant ships warned to keep away from the Black Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 26 September 1939 No. 60g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the radio message warning the British merchant shipping about visiting the Black Sea and to leave the Danube harbours was in local British shipping circles still not confirmed.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Characteristics of British destroyer HMS Imogen as reported to the German Marineattaché at London on 12 Februrary 1936

Icarus of I-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Tribal-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London was informed by the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the destroyer HMS Imogen was laid down on 18 January 1936. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 1,350 tons/1,372 metric tons and as dimensions 320.0 (waterline) x 33.0 (extreme beam at or below waterline) x 8.6. (mean draught at standard displacement) feet. Heaviest calibre 4.7”.(1)

Note

1. Part of I-class preceded by G- and H-classes succeeded by Tribal-class.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/120. 

Characteristics of German submarines U 25 and U-26 as reported to the British Admiralty on 23 October 1935

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London informed the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the submarines U 25 and U26 laid down in July 1935 were completed May/June 1936. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 712 tons/723 metric tons and as dimensions 71.0 (waterline) x 6.2 (extreme beam at or below waterline) x 6.2 (average draught at standard displacement) metres. Heaviest calibre 10.5cm.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/119. 

Spanish naval replenishment vessel (ex-Leeward Islands 1953-1964, Bajamar 1964-1968, Bonzo 1968-1975, Fortuna Reefer 1975-1982, Thanassis K 1982) ESPS Contramaestre Casado A-01 1982-

Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain 17 November 2005

Spain-flagged, IMO 5205473 and MMSI 2224758000. Laid down in 1951 and launched by Eriksbergs Mekaniske Verkstads, Gothenburg, Sweden in 1953. Purchased by Spanish navy on a public auction on 22 November 1982. 

Japanese submarines transferred from Hawaiian area to southeast Asia according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 20 January 1942

An item reported that the activities of enemy submarines in the Eastern Pacific was on large scale reduced and many of the involved submarines from the Hawaiian area transferred to southeast Asia.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 41 dated 20 January 1942

Japanese naval force underway towards Balikpapan or to Celebes according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 21 January 1942

An item reported that 38 Japanese transports escorted by 15 warships were sighted in the Dutch East Indies with as target Balikpapan, Borneo or the west coast of Celebes. The Dutch were demolishing the oil fields at Balikpapan.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 42 dated 21 January 1942 

German battleship Friedrich der Grosse 1939-not completed

H-class design A dated 1940. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

H-class design B dated 1940. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Laid down at Wilhelmshaven in May 1939 and to be launched in 1941. Ordered on 14 April 1939 and laid down by Deschimag, Bremen, Germany on 1 September 1939. To be built under the 1937-1938 Programme. Displacement 40,000 tons and as dimensions 262 x 36.60 x 7.90 metres. Horsepower 100,000 hp and minimum speed 27 knots. Turbine propulsion. Armament 2x4-40.6cm guns and 24-10.5cm anti aircraft guns. Part of the H-class fast battleships which were never completed. Displacement 53,400 (standard)-56,444 (combat)-63,596 (full load) tons and as dimensions 266 (waterline)-277.8 (over all) x 37 x 11.2 (full load) metres or 872.8-911.5 x 121.5 x 36.9 feet. Main armament 4x2-40.6cm/16” SK C/34 guns.

Sources

Flottes des Combat 1940 and 1940-1942

Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Russian Black Sea Fleet prepared for war according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 29 September 1939 No. 61g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the Russian Black Sea Fleet was prepared for war had the mobilisation replenishments of personnel and ammunition taken on board.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

British merchant ships transporting war stores to Turkish harbours according to a letter of the German naval attaché dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 26 September 1939 No. 60g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin in the past days the first British transport of war stores was (being) unloaded in Turkish harbours. Several sources mentioned about 6,000 tons, partly for the navy regarded the harbours where the cargoes were unloaded. The transport consisted of guns, ammunition, light tanks, trucks, artillery trucks, aircraft engines and parts and so on. It could not be confirmed that the guns numbered 10-14 of the 20,3cm calibre.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Turkish fleet left Izmir according to a letter of the German naval attaché dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 26 September 1939 No. 60g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlin that the Turkish fleet -as allready was reported- left Izmir. Her location was unknown but probably in the north west part of the Sea of Marmara.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Spanish oceanographic research vessel (ex-Mar Antarctico 1988-1990) Bio Hespérides A 33 1990-

Cierva Cove, Graham Land, Antarctica, 31 January 2025

Operated by the Spanish navy with the Spanish National Research Council being responsible for the scientific equipment. Used for research voyages and for service to the research bases in Antarctica especially the Spanish Juan Carlos I Antactic Base. Spain-flagged, IMO 8803563, MMSI 224886000 and call sign EBBW. Laid down by Astilleros Bazan, Cartagena, Spain on 22 November 1988, launched as Mar Antarctico on 12 March 1990. completed as Hespérides.

American whaler S. Richards visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 26 November 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 21 November of the American whaler S. Richards master Wilcox of New Bedford coming from Ochotsk 60 barrels sperm oil 2,000 barrels whale oil

American whaler Chariot visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 26 November 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 21 November of the American whaler Chariot master Brown coming from Ochotsk 500 barrels whale oil 7,000 lbs bone

American whaler Sarah visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 26 November 1853

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 17 November of the American whaler Sarah master Swift of Matt., coming from Ochotsk 2,650 barrels whale oil 14,000 lbs bone

Chilean fishing vessel/fish carrier (ex-Unzen Maru 1982-1989) Unzen 1989-

Valparaiso, Chile 15 March 1025

Chile-flagged, homeport Valparaiso, IMO 8122684, MMSI 725000261 and call sign CBUN. Owner/manager Emdepes, Santiago, Chile. Built by Naikai Shipbuilding Takuma Plant, Takuma, Japan in 1982. 

British whaler Unity arrived at Hull, England in 1820

Tonnage 212 or 272 tuns? Number of caught whales 15. Oil 180 tuns

Source

The Trade and Commerce of Hull and its ships&shipowners. Past and present. Hull, 1878, p. 81. 

British whaler Dordon arrived at Hull, England in 1820

Tonnage 285 tuns. Number of caught whales 6. Oil 89 tuns

Source

The Trade and Commerce of Hull and its ships&shipowners. Past and present. Hull, 1878, p. 81. 

British whaler Manchester arrived at Hull, England in 1820

Tonnage 285 tuns. Number of caught whales 16. Oil 120 tuns

Source

The Trade and Commerce of Hull and its ships&shipowners. Past and present. Hull, 1878, p. 81. 

Dutch Combat Support Ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder A834 2021-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 14-3-2025

Netherlands-flagged, IMO 4763959 and MMSI 244936000. Replacement of the Hr.Ms. Amsterdam. Ordered on 19 February 2020, laid down by Damen Naval at Galati, Romania on 2 June 2021, in six modules built, middle hull part (modules 2-3) with a length of 90.5 metres, module 1 was stern, module 4 bow and module 5 the fore part of the superstructure launched on 11 April 2022, departed on 16 November 2024 to the Netherlands which was at the same time her sea trial, arrived at Vlissingen, Netherlands on 13 December 2024 and christened on 22 February 2025.

Russian icebreaker Stalin damaged in German air attack according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 18 January 1942

Iosef Stalin. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the Russian icebreaker Stalin was just superficially damaged during the German air attack.(1)

Note

1. Part of Leader-class built in 1937-1938 at the Ordzonikidze yard at Leningrad. In 1938 was she for the first time used in an Artic expedition. On 18 January 1940 freed she the Russian icebreaker Sedov between Greenland and Svalbard. The Sedov was at that moment used as a Drifting Polar Station. In 1940 she and the Lenin assisted the German merchant raider Komet which ship went from Gotenhafen via the Artic Ocean passages and the Bering Straits towards the Pacific. The Komet was in advance disguised as the Soviet icebreaker Semyon Dezhnev and was later renamed Donau.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 18 January 1942 No. 39

Characteristics of German submarine U-25 as reported to the British Admiralty on 21 April 1936

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London informed the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the submarine U 25 laid down in July 1935 was completed on 6 April 1936. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 712 tons/723 metric tons and as dimensions 71.0 (waterline) x 6.2 (extreme beam at or below waterline) x 6.2 (average draught at standard displacement) metres. Heaviest calibre 10.5cm.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/119. 

Characteristics of British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal as reported to the German Marineattaché at London on 16 September 1935

Argus. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Ark Royal. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the German Marineattaché captain Erwin Wassner at London was informed by the British Admiralty conform the Anglo-German Naval Agreement dated 18 June 1935 that the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was laid down on 16 September 1935 to replace HMS Argus as authorized on 17 April 1935. Standard displacement (article 6 of Treaty) 22,000 tons/22,353 metric tons and as dimensions 725 (waterline) x 94 (extreme beam) x 23 (mean draught at standard displacement) feet.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché at London. RM 12-II/120. 

American light cruiser USS Helena 1936-1943

USS Omaha, Omaha-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

USS Brooklyn, Brooklyn-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Atlanta-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Brooklyn-class St. Louis-subclass preceded by Omaha-class succeeded by Atlanta-class. Penannt CL-50. Laid down by Brooklyn Navy Yard on 9 December 1936, launched on 28 August 1938, commissioned on 18 September 1939 and torpedoed and sunk in the Battle of Kula Gulf on 6 July 1943.

British steamship Eocene arrived with Polish gold on board in Turkey according to a letter of the German naval attaché dated 26 September 1939

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 26 September 1939 No. 60g.Kdos reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine at Berlint the British steamship Eocene as earlier reported [coming from Constanza, Romania] unloaded at Haidarpaşa 10 casks of gold of the Polish State Bank and from there further transported to Syria. She was still lying in the harbour.(1)

Note

1. On his weblog Zoltán Ginelli wrote on 21-08-2 12 the logpost How the Polish gold train got stuck in French Africa during WWII. From [French] Syria the gold went to [French] Lebanon, next stop at Dakar in Senegal and Fort Kayes, Mali and later back to Dakar and in 1944 handed over to Polish commission.

Source

Bundesarchiv. German Marineattaché for Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria 1939-1941. RM 12-II/459. 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Claas Z. Rykers returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 17 October 1748

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands reported the arrival at Texel, Netherlands on 14 October of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Claas Z. Rykers 5 whales 110 quardelen.

Japanese cargo ship Tonan Maru 1921-

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ships Batavia Maru, Ganges Maru, Heimei Maru, Hiburi Maru, Hokuryu Maru, Indus Maru, Kairyu Maru, Surabaya Maru, Kayo Maru, Meiko Maru, Tonan Maru, Tosei Maru and Yamato Maru. Call sign JPPC. Built by Osaka Iron Works Ld., Innoshima, Japan in May 1921. Gross tonnage 4,370 tons, under deck 3,677 tons, netto tonnage 2,733 tons and as dimensions 345.0 x 49.8 x 25.8 x 7.6 (light)-24 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw, horsepower 390 nhp, coal bunker capacity 1,200 tons, range 9,600 nautical miles/10 knots and speed 10 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. 

French privateer l'Aurore 1693

Homeport la Rochelle. Master Charles Ferret de Vaugors.

Source

H. Malo Les Corsaires dunkerquois et Jean Bart, vol. 2.

Croatian dredger No. 3 in 1943

According to a letter dated Zagreb 4 November 1943 of the German embassy at Zagreb to the Department of an independent Croatia were the results represented of a investigation concerning Croatian merchant coastal shipping and navy. Belonged to the former Maritime Directorate at Split which was responsible for the harbours, buoys, harbour service and so on for the complete coastline and other maritime affairs except for the tasks of the navy. For dredging in river mouths, harbours and especially the river Neretva and the harbour of Ploče.(1)

Note

1. The Independent State of Croatia was established after Yugoslavia was captured by Italy and Germany on 10 April 1941. This state was first an Italian Protectorate between 1941-1943 and then a German puppet state between 1943-1945.

Source

Bundesarchiv TM-12-II/4

Norwegian oil/chemical tanker (ex-British Courtesy 2005-2018) Wenche Victory 2018-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 14-3-2025

Norway-flagged, homeport Bergen, IMO 9288825, MMSI 257251000 and call sign LAEZ5. BUilt by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. Ltd., Ulsan, South Korea in 2005. Manager WA Tankers AS, Bergen, Norway and manager Thome Ship Management D.o.o., Zadar, Croatia. 

Japanese 25,000 tons 30 knots speed battleship design No. A by Yasushi Taji in 1919

Ise-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

29,500 tons 20 knots 5x2-15" guns design. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com.

Nagato-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Displacement 25,000 ton. Speed 30 knots. Horsepower for deep condition 90,000 shp. Dimensions 664 (between perpendiculars)-700 (on deep waterline) x 80 x 30 feet. Weight armament 1,490 ton. Weight protection 5,810 ton. Total weight armament and protection 7,300 ton. Armament 1x2-15” guns, 16-6” guns, 2-21” torpedo tubes. Protection consisted of: Waterline belt 9” (maximum)-6” (intermediate)-4-3” (fore and after). Upper armour 5”. Battery armour 5”. Barbette armour 9”. Conning tower 10”. Protective deck 1.5”. F'esk or upper deck 1.5”. Underwater protection 1,5”.

The Ise-class preceded by Fuso-class succeeded by Nagato-class, built between 1915-1918 had a normal displacement of 1,762 tons , dimensions 683 x 94 x 29.4 feet, main armament of 6x2-35,56cm/14” guns, horsepower 40,000-45,000 shp and a speed of 23 knots.

The Nagato-class preceded by Ise-class succeeded by planned Tosa-class built, between 1917-1921 had a displacement of 32,720 (standard)-39,116 (full load) tons, dimensions 708 (over all) x 95.3 x 29.9 feet, horsepower 80,000 ship and speed26.5 knots.

Source

Hiraga Archives. An article titeld “The mutual influence of speed, armament, and protection on the battleship design”, written by Constructor-Lieutenant Yasushi Taji, 1929

American whaler Washington visited Honolulu, Hawaii according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 13 November 1852

An item reported the arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 11 November of the American whaler Washington master Rose 1,600 barrels whale oil 18,000 lbs bone 

Crude oil consumption by Italian naval forces in October 1942

In an attachment of a letter dated Berlin, Germany 5 November No. 2308/42 was the estimated consumption of crude oil in October 1942 described for the Italian forces 71,000 tons included 6,000 ton for engines.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/223Band 2 Jan. 1942 - Dez. 1943

Italian sailing ship Keurielle B lost in 1916

According to a list of the Italian Department for transport over sea and by rail was she lost on 14 August 1916 due to submarine attack on the location 10 miles of island Capraia. Tonnage 176 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 20/728.

Russian guided missile destroyer Severomorsk 119 1984-

Great Belt Bridge, Denmark, 14 March 2025

Facebookpage Unter Broen

Homeport Deveromorsk. Project 1155 Frigate/Udaloy-class preceded by Sovremenny-class succeeded by Lider-class. Laid down by Severnaya Verf, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 12 June 1984, launched on 24 December 1985, commissioned on 30 December 1987. 

The armament of the Dutch merchant ship Aalsum in the Second World War

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

According to the list and supplements 1-2 on 13 September 1945 BDZ No. 673 sent by the office of armament the Royal Netherlands Navy located at 41 East 42nd Street, New York 17, USA. There were no complete records available, so there were several sources used to compile the list. Sometimes the kind of guns gave indirect information regarding the origin such as 4”/BL and 12 pounder guns were British mostly supplied in the United Kingdom, Canada or Curacao. The 4.7” guns were old Japanese guns placed on some vessels in the begin of the war at Singapore and some 4” guns in the same period at Surabaya, Dutch East Indies. The trade in which the ship was used gave also an indication were the guns were supplied, for example involved in the Pacific trade means supplied at the West Coast.

Cargo ship launched with yard number 462 by A. Vuyk&Zonen, Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands for account of N.V. Stoomvaart Maatschappij ‘Oostzee’, Firma Vinke (since 1932 Firm Vinke Warnderink&Zoon) both at Amsterdam, Netherlands on 8 March 1921, handed over on 7 November 1922 and sold to be broken up at Hamburg, Germany in May 1958.

Armed with 1-2cm gun, supplied at New York on 3 July 1942

Armed with 3-2cm guns, supplied at New York on 2 October 1943.

Source

Archieven van hoofd handelsbescherming en diverse handelsbeschermingsofficierem 1941-1946 inv.no. 53 (Nationaal Archief, The Hague, Netherlands.