The use of the German prize Charkow in the Black Sea in July 1943

One of the points of interest after the South-East journey by the Reichskommissaris für die Seeschiffahrt dated Bucharest, Romania 7 July 1943 was the use of the steamship Charkow. She would not be longer used on the line Constantinople-Sevastopol but instead of the line Varna-Piräus. Two or three smaller vessels now active on the last line were to replace the Charkow on the first line. Reasons for this decision was the loaded draught of the Charkow namely 28 feet against a depth of 24 feet in the harbour of Sevastopol and the fear for enemy actions. Oberleutnant Berling was ordered to examine if the Charkow as German prise could pass the Dardanelles. When he reacted not withing a few days he would be asked again.

Source

High Command of the Kriegsmarine. Case 88.