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Thursday, 6 August 2026

German whale factory ship (ex-Colonia 1902-1928, Torodd 1902-1934, Sydis 1934-1937) Südmeer 1937-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Call sign DJUL. Homeport Hamburg, Germany. Owner in 1939 Deutche Ölmühlen-Rohstoffe GmbH, manager Hamburger Walfang-Konto GmbH. Launched as British cable layer CS Colonia by Wigham Richardson Ltd. at the Neptune, Low Walker shipyard with yard number 398 on 14 February 1902, completed on 6 May 1902, sold to the Norwegian whaling company Thor Dahl in 1928, converted into the whale factory ship Torodd, bought by Oelmuhlen Walgang Konsortium, Berlin, Germany in 1937, renamed Südmeer, purchased by the German navy in 1940 and sunk by Russian naval Douglas A-20 Havoc aircraft in the Porsangerfjorden, Norway on 14 October 1944.(1) Gross tonnage 8,133 tons, under deck 5,863 tons, net tonnage 4,355 tons and as dimensions 487.3 x 56.1 x 27.6 feet.

Note

1. Report dealing with the available repair ships, base ships and shipyards in early February 1942 mentioned the base ship Südmeer which was a German whale factory ship. Lying at Kirkenes, Norway. Fitted out with an expanded workshop and 40 labourers of which 10 submarine specialists.A letter dated Berlin 5 November 1942 2308/42 mentioned her tank capacity heating oil 3,503 M4, V.f.t.oil 1,168 M3 and diesel oil 1,699 M3.

Sources

Bundesarchive RM 7-223.

Lloyds Registers

1/32 Part in Dutch whaler Wildevegt not sold on auction at Amsterdam, Netherlands on 7 April 1755

Auction at the Nieuwezyds Heeren Loogement, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Amsterdam on Monday 7 April 1755 of 1/32 share in the Dutch whaler Wildevegt, fluyt ship, commandeur Reltje Dircksz (1), built in 1727, dimensions 115 x 30 x 12½ x 6½ feet (deck), 6-7 boats, bookkeeper Frans van de Velde&Zoonen. Not sold.

Note

1. Active in the Greenland whaling between 1755-1757 for Frans van de Velde&Zoonen, Amsterdam and in 1758 and 1762 for Willem Koninck Abrahamsz, Amsterdam. In 1755 returned leaking catch results in 1756 repsectively 1757 2 whales-60 barrels whale blubber-80 quardelen whale oil respectively 5-160-256. Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794.

Source

Archief van de Burgemeesters: scheepsverkopingen door makelaars. Archive 5071 Gemeentearchief Amsterdam, Netherlands archive No. 5071, inventory number 18.

Dutch commandeur P. Dirks departed towards Greenland according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 22 April 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 21 April reported the departure on 20 April towards Greenland by the Dutch commandeur P. Dirks.1)

Note

1. Paulus Dirksz, Greenland commandeur 1741-1756, directors in 1749 Widow Claas Blauw en Zoon, Westzaan? Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794

Chinese protected cruiser Hai-Chi or Hai-Ki 1896-1937

Hai Yung-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Hai Chi-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Chao-Ho class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Hai Chi or Hai Qi-class preceded by Hai Yung-class succeeded by Chao Ho-class. Laid down by Armstrong Whitworth, United Kingdom on 11 November 1896, launched on 24 January 1898, completed on 10 May 1899 and scuttled at Jiangyin as block ship on 11 August 1937

Dutch commandeur J. Baars departed towards Greenland according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 22 April 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 21 April reported the departure on 20 April towards Greenland by the Dutch commandeur J. Baars.(1)

Note

1. Jaocob Pietersz Baars, Greenland commandeur 1733-1750, directors in 1749 Gerret Cornelis and Jan Best, Zaandijk? Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794

Dutch commandeur A. Cornelisz departed towards Greenland according to the Dutch newspaper Oprechte Haerlemsche courant dated 22 April 1749

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 21 April reported the departure on 20 April towards Greenland by the Dutch commandeur A. Cornelisz.(1)

Note

1. Andries Cornelisz, Greenland commandeur 1739-1758, director in 1749 Robbert Macreel, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc.Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written note until 1794

Japanese cargo ship (ex-Ceylon 1913-1928) Tonegawa Maru 1928-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sister ships Tonegawa Maru and Yamayuri Maru identical similar Ryunan Maru. Call sign JBKC. Owner in 1939 Matsuoka Kisen K.K. Launched by A.McMillan&Son Ld., Dumbarton, Scotland with yard number 448 on 3 July 1913, completed in August 1913, delivered to N.V. Rotterdamsche Lloyd, Rotterdam, Netherlands, sold towards Japan in 1928 and sunk by American carrier based aircraft and guns of the American light cruiser USS Mobile north west of the Bonins on 4 August 1944. Gross tonnage 4,996 tons, under deck 4,575 tons, net tonnage 3,565 tons, deadweight 8,130 tons 400.8 x 52.1 x 27.3 x and as dimensions 7.9 (light)-24.9 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, one screw, horsepower 458 nhp, coal bunker capacity 1,334 ton, range 10,500 nautical miles/10.5 knots and speed 10.5 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots. 

American whaler Rambler spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 14 October 1854

An item reported that the American whaler Hope master Gifford spoke on 25 August the American whaler Rambler around 800 barrels sperm oil 300 barrels this season, bound for Sandwich Islands

American whaler Jirah Perry spoken according to the newspaper The Polynesian dated 14 October 1854

An item reported that the American whaler Hope master Gifford spoke on 25 August the American whaler Jirah Perry of New Bedford 1,150 barrels sperm oil this season 550 barrels

Spanish destroyer Plutón 1897-1898

Destructor. Dutch newspaper De Grondwet dated 24 May 1898

Terror, Furor-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Bustamante-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Furor-class similar to the British A-class 27 knotters destroyers, preceded by Destructor succeeded by Bustamante-class. The individual six ships were not exact similar but differs in size, armament en machinery. The Terror and Furror are even sometimes considered to be a subseries. Ordered from J.&G. Thompson, Clydebank (renamed Clydebank Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. in 1897), Scotland. Laid down on 12 February 1897, launched on 13 July 18976, completed on 4 November 1897 and sunk in the Battle of Santago de Cuba against the American fleet on 3 July 1898.

French troop transport visited Port Venres, France according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 21 August 1917

An item referred to a tiding of the German naval attache at Madrid, Spain reporting that a French troop transport arrived at Port Venres, France coming from Algiers, French Algeria and after a hour left again bound for Marseille, France.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Entente troop transports underway towards Albania according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 21 August 1917

An item referred to a tiding of an agent dated 9 August reporting that monthly 10-15 troop transports would depart from Gallipoli [Turkey?], Syracuse and Tarento towards Albania.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Living quarter barge Rossini 2010-




River Lek, Netherlands 22 June 2026

Former homeport Aktau, Kazakhstan. Built by De Hoop, Foxhol-Tolkamer, Netherlands and in August 2010 lying at Delfzijl, Netherlands ready to depart. Of Dutch shipping company Wagenborg and to be used in oil industry in Kazachstan. 

Several steamship sighted in the Orfano Golf and harbour of Stavros according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 21 August 1917

An item referred to reconnaissance tidings dated 20 August reporting 11 steamships lying in the Orfano Golf and harbour of Stavros, Greece.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

German submarine SM U-33 sunk anonymous tanker according to the Kriegsnachrichten of the Chef des Admiralstabes der Marine dated Berlin 21 August 1917

U 32-39. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the German submarine SM U-33 (1) commanded by kapitänleutnant Siess (2) torpedoed and sunk on 28 July an unknown tanker of 5,000 ton underway from Genoa, Italy heading to the east north east of Cap Delle.

Notes

1. Ordered on 29 March 1912, laid down by Germaniawerft, Kiel, Germany with yard number 193 on 7 November 1912, launched on 19 May 1914, commissioned on 27 September 1914, surrendered to the British at Harwich, England on 16 Jnauary 1919 and broken up at Blyth, England between 1919-1920.

2. Gustav Siess (11 December 1883, Hamburg, Germany-14 October 1970 Hamburg, Germany.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM-40-622

Japanese container ship Nyk Meteor 2007-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 1 August 2026

Panama-flagged, IMO 9337638, MMSI 354212000 and call sign 3ENA9. Owner/manager Kitaura Kaiun KK, Imabari, Japan. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan, South Korea in 2007. 

Construction status of the German kriegsfischkutter KFK 980 in 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships dated Berlin 22 May 1944. Built in South France. Date building ordered 15 April 1944. Date completion December 1944.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 152. 

British sailing transport Mary Ann in the Crimean Waron 28-10-1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 28 October 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Melbourne”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 42, present position Balaklava, remarks discharing cattle from Eutorpia, Crimea. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

Chinese tanker (ex-Hai Yang Bao Bei 2022) Eastern Spiraea 2022-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 1 August 2026

Liberia-flagged, homeport Monrovia, IMO 9909754, MMSI 636022343 and call sign SLII3. Built by Fujian Southeast Shipyard Co. Ltd., Fuzhou, China in 2022. Owner Dragon 7 Holding Ltd., manager Eastern Laelia Shipping Ltd., both Hong Kong, China. 

British sailing transport Kenilworth in the Crimean War on 28-10-1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 28 October 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Melbourne”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 40, present position Eupatoria, Crimea, remarks waiting for orders. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

German blockade runner Kulmerland outward bound in 1943

Transport Number -. Name ship Kurmerland. Company Hamburg-Amerika Linie, Hamburg, Germany. Date departure (further prescribed) 15 September 1943. Harbour which was left Bordeaux, France. Destination Far East. Hit by a bomb and sunk on 23 September 1943, salvaged and under repair.(1)

Note

1. Launched by Deutsche Werft, Hamburg, Germany with yard number 109 on 1 August 1928, completed on 16 March 1929, scuttled as block ship in the Loire by retreating German forces in 1945 salvaged in 1945 and broken up in 1950.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/1419 Ausarbeitung "Wirtschaftsfahrten im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (Zusammenstellung der Fahrten von Blockadebrechern nach Ostasien, 1941-1945). 

Swiss container ship (ex-MSC Jordan -2023) MSC Jordan III 2023-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 1 August 2026

Panama-flagged, IMO 8918980, MMSI 355194000 and call sign HPMK. Owner Mediterranean Shipping Co., Geneva, Switzerland, manager MSC Shipmanagement Ltd., Limassol, Cyprus. Built by HDW Kiel, Germany in 1993. 

Italian sailing ship Suigi lost in 1917

According to a list of the Italian Department for transport over sea and by rail was she lost on 27 May due to submarine attack on the location 39.14 north 55.1 East. Tonnage 137 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 20/728.

British ship Hanne visited the Black Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 17 February 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 17 February 1940 No. 801 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 26 February the British ship Hanne loaded with 910 ton grain and poultry bound for Haifa, Palestina.

Source

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

Wednesday, 5 August 2026

Norwegian whale factory ship Strombus 1899-1940

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Call sign LCPN. Homeport Tonsberg, Norway. Owner in 1939 A/S Sevilla and manager Onésimus Andersen. Launched by Armstrong Whitworth Co. Ltd., Low Walker yard, Newcastle, England with yard number 695 as a tanker on 18 November 1899, completed in January 1900, owner Shel Transport&Trading Co. Ltd,, LOndon, England, since 1907 owner Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd., London, converted into a whale factory ship and owner Cia Ballenera del Peru Ltda, Callao, in 1925, between 1982-1934 owner Hvalfanger A/S Africa, Tonsberg, mined off Swansea on 26 October 1940, beached near Mumbles Head, broken in tow parts of which the fore part sunk. Aft part salvaged and broken up. Gross tonnage 6,549 tons, under deck 5,787 tons, net tonnage 3,917 tons and as dimensions 410.0 x 52.1 x 32.2 feet. The Dutch newspaper Het Centrum dated 13 September 1928 reported her arrival in the Coenhaven, Amsterdam, Netherlands underway from Tonsberg to her working area the South Pole (Antarctica) to bunker a large quantity coal. The newspaper Het Vaderland dated 13 September 1937 reported that she was not to be used coming season to reduce the whaling. 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Jaep Sygers returned home according to the Dutch newspaper Amsterdamse courant dated 7 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 6 September reporting the arrival off Texel, Netherlands of the Dutch Greenland commandeur Jaep Sygers 3,5 whale

German Greenland commandeur Jacob Klaesz returned home according to the Dutch Amsterdamse courant dated 4 September 1700

An item dated Amsterdam, Netherlands 3 September reported the arrival at Bremen, Germany of the German Greenland commandeur Jacob Klaesz 1 whale still not arrived

French destroyer ex-Argentine San Juan 1911-1914) Téméraire 1914-1936

Design Argentine 32 knots ocean going Mendoza-class destroyer©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Argentina ordered 12 destroyers in 1910, 2 at Krupp and 2 at Schichau, Germany, 4 in England and 4 in France. The British built destroyers were in 1912 sold to Greece (Aetos-class) and the French built destroyers were taken over the French navy (Aventurier-class) when the First World War broke out. In the French navy preceded by Enseigne Roux-class and succeeded by Arabe-class. Had to be commissioned as the Argentine Mendoza-class. Launched by Ateliers et Chantiers de la Bretagne, Nantes, France on 8 December 1911, completed on 2 November 1914, stricken in 1936 and broken up after 1936.

The boats were to be built by Ateliers&Chantiers de Bretagne, France with the following characteristics. Dimensions 86.28 (between perpendiculars)-88.28 (over all) x 8,63 (waterline) x 6.60 (depth centre)-5.20 (deph sides) x 2.28 (normal draught forward)-3.08 (normal draught aft)-2.68 (normal draught mean) metres, normal displacement 950 tons. Speed on trials 32 knots. Full load displacement 1,178 tons. Full load draught 3,09 (fore)-3,110 (aft) -3,100 (mean) metres. Turbine rateau propulsion, 650 rpm, 5 White Forster boilers. Estimated horsepower 18,000 hp. Range 15 knots/3,000 miles. Total coal bunker capacity 335,3 cubic metres, oil fuel bunker capacity 92 cubic metres. Crew numbers 110 men. Four 21” Whitehead torpedo tubes and 150 kilo explosives with a speed of 41 knots at a range of 2,000 metres and 29 knots at 5,000 metres. Placed two fore end of ship and two little aft the middle part of the ship. Carried 8 torpedoes. Length forecastle 18 metres at 2.20 above the main deck. Armament 4-4” cal 50 Bethlehem guns, all on the centre line of the ship. Magazines have a capacity of 250 rounds of ammunition. Provided with wireless telegraphy for 200 kilometres range.

Source

Hiraga-archive. Description General data of Argentine destroyers.

Norwegian ship Buesten visited the Black Sea according to a letter of the German naval attaché at Istanbul dated 17 February 1940 1940

In his letter dated Istanbul, Turkey 17 February 1940 No. 801 g. reported the German naval attaché to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht Abteilung Ausland the neutral ships passing Istanbul coming out of the Black Sea and loaded with contraband for or chartered by the enemy. An item reported on 26 February the Norwegian ship Buesten loaded with 7,850 ton petrol going from Constanta, Romania to Gibraltar for orders.

Source

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

German blockade runner Tannenfels outward bound in 1943

Transport Number Name ship Tannenfels. Company D.D.G. Hansa, Bremen, Germany. Date departure (further prescribed) 1 August 1943. Harbour which was left Bordeaux, France. Destination Far East.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 7/1419 Ausarbeitung "Wirtschaftsfahrten im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (Zusammenstellung der Fahrten von Blockadebrechern nach Ostasien, 1941-1945). 

British destroyer HMS Afridi 1906-1919

HMS Cossack, Tribal-class©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Tribal- or F-class preceded by River- of E-class and succeeded by Beagle- or G-class. First Sea Lord Fisher asked for a 33 knots destroyer in November 1904 and to be fitted out with oil-fuelled boilers and steam turbines. While the design details were left to the individual shipyards as common at the time the were quite what difference in details and appearance especially dealing with the number of funnels. HMS Cossack and Ghurka had three funnels but their sister ship HMS Viking even six. The class had also two masts of which a light mainmast aft. Totally 12 completed. Built under the 1905-1906 Programme. Laid down by Armstrong Whitworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England on 9 August 1906, launched on, 8 May 1907, commissioned on 7 September 1909 and sold to be scrapped on 9 December 1919. 

British sailing transport Harkaway in the Crimean War on 28-10-1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 28 October 1854 drawn up by Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Melbourne”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 39, present position Eupatoria, Crimea, remarks waiting for ordersThe Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

British sailing transport Rodsley in the Crimean War on 28-10-1854

According to a list of the return of the disposition in the Black Sea on 28 October 1854 drawn up by  Captain and Principal Agent of Transports P. Christie, “Melbourne”, Balaklava, Crimea: number transport 37, present position Katcha, remarks waiting for orders. The Crimean War found place between 16 October 1853-30 March 1856 between Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Sardinia at one side and Russia and Greece on the other side. The British Government chartered a large number of merchant ships for transporting troops and stores.

Source

Reports from Committees: eight volumes. 3-Part II. Army before Sebastopol. Session 12 December 1854-14 August 1855. Vol. IX-Part II. 

Japanese cargo ship Kunisima Maru or Kunishima Maru 1937-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Similar Kaisyo Maru (1937), Kunisima Maru (1937), Mitakesan Maru (1937), Sinyo Maru (1938), Toyo Maru (1937) and Toyo Maru No. 2 1937). Call sign JHJL. Owner in 1939 Kaiyo Kisen K.K., Kobe, Japan. Laid down by Harima Shipbuilding&Engineering Co. Ltd., Harima, Japan on 5 March 1937, launched on on 4 June 1937, completed on 30 August 1937, requisitioned by navy as transport on 24 January 1940, run aground Kumano-nada sea around 8 nautical miles south west of Dairo and became total loss on 24 February 1944 and stricken on 31 March 1944. Gross tonnage 4,083 tons, net tonnage 2,440 tons and as dimensions 363.5 x 50.0 x 20.0 x 9.5/11 (light)-24 (loaded) feet. Steam turbine propulsion, 1 screw, coal fuelled, coal bunker capacity 880 tons, range 8,700 nautical miles/13 knots and speed 13 (normal cruising)-16.5 (maximum) knots. 

Construction status of the German kriegsfischkutter KFK 979 in 1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

List of planning with deadlines for new construction of warships dated Berlin 22 May 1944. Built in South France. Date building ordered 15 April 1944. Date completion December 1944.

Source

Deutsches Historisches Institut Moska. Records 500 findbuch 12453-file 152. 

Italian sailing ship Giuseppe Padre I lost in 1917

According to a list of the Italian Department for transport over sea and by rail was she lost on 26 May due to submarine attack on the location 20 miles of the coast of Galatrien. Tonnage 102 tons.

Source

Bundesarchiv RM 20/728.

Russian diesel-electric cruise-missile submarine K-77 1963-1077 and B-77 1977-2009

Project 659/NATO Echo I-class in SSN configuration. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Project 651/NATO Juliett-class. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Project 651 named by NATO Juliett-class preceded by Echo-class succeeded by Charlie-class. Designed in end 1950s by a team with as chairman Abram Samuilovich Kassatsier. Building planned of 35 boats but 19 were cancelled and 16 completed. Laid down by Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard No. 112, Gorky on 31 January 1963, launched on 11 March 1965, commissioned on 31 October 1965, renamed B-77 in 1977, stricken in 1994, sunk in 2007, refloated in 2008 and sold to be broken up in August 2009.

Sources

Breyer, S. and N. Polmar. Guide to the Soviet Navy, 2nd edition.

Jordan, J. Soviet submarines 1945 to the present.

Kouznetsov, N. La Marine sovietique en guerre 1941-1945.

Pavlov, A.S. Warships of the USSR and Russia 1945-1995.

Polmar N. and J. Noot. Submarines of the Russian and Soviet Navies 1718-1990.

Schulz-Troge, U. Die sowjetische Kriegsmarine.

Jane’s Fighting Ships several editions.

Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Russian Ships Info dated 12 April 2026 19:46 o’clock.

Juliett-class dated 5 May 2026 10:05 o’clock

Soviet patrol vessels of the Baltic Fleet sighted in August 1936 according to report of the American Military Attaché at Riga, Latvia No. 9711 dated 19 February 1937

An item referred to the report dealing with the trainingexercises of the Soviet Baltic Fleet in August 1936. It supplemented the reports 9697-7040 and 9699-7040. Three S-destroyers were in August sighted while in operation. The three patrol vessels of the new type mentioned in the July1936 report were now executing trial trips.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.

Repairs of Russian battleship Marat stopped according to report of the American Military Attaché at Riga, Latvia No. 10295 dated 4 January 1939

Marat. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

In his report dated Riga, Latvia 4 January 1939 No. 10295 dealing with the Soviet Baltic Fleet in the Training Season 1938 used the American Military Attaché major G.B. Guenther a so-called reliable source. In June were the annual repairs of the battleship Marat delayed for some reason and she was commissioned on 1 June 1938.(1)

Note

1. Part of the Gangut-class, preceded by Andrei Pervozvanny class, succeeded by Imperatritsa Mariya class, laid down by Baltic Works, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 16 June 1909, launched on 22 September 1911, commissioned on 5 January 1915, renamed Marat on 31 March 1921, again Petropavlovsk on 31 May 1943, Volkhov on 28 November 1950 and broken up after September 1953.

Source

National Archive. Record Group 165: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs Series: Security Classified Correspondence and Reports. File Unit. Russia: Navy - MID 2503-16 THRU 2503-265. Roll 1443.

Tuesday, 4 August 2026

South African whale factory ship Tafelberg 1930-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Call sign ZSDM. Owner in 1939 Kerguelen Sealing&Whaling Co. Ltd., Capetown, South Africa (since 18 September 1930), managers Irvin&Johnson (since 1936). Launched by Armstrong, Whitworth&Co. (Shipbuilders) Ltd., Low Walker Yard, Newcastle, England with yard number 1059 on 29 April 1930, completed in July 1930, converted into a tanker, of the Ministry of War Transport (Chr Salvesen&Co.), Cardiff, renamed Empire Heritage in 1943 and torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U482 43 miles North West of Londonderry underway from New York, USA towards Liverpool, England on 8 September 1944. The Dutch newspaper Schiedamsche Courant dated 6 May 1935 reported her arrival in the morning the day before at Schiedam, Netherlands with a cargo of 7,000 ton whale oil. South Africa-flagged but crewed by Scandinavian sailors. She left Sandefjord, Norway on 22 September 1934 arriving on the whaling grounds on 15 December. Maximum cargo capacity 19,000 ton whale oil. A second Dutch newspaper Algemeen Handelsblad dated 11 March 1938 reported the arrival at Amsterdam, Netherlands of the Norwegian ms Jenny in the evening the day before. She was loaded with 6,2000 ton British whale oil taken over from the South African whaler Tafelberg. It was the first cargo of whale oil that same year arrived in Amsterdam. A third Dutch newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 18 December 1939 reported that she was some weeks earlier attacked without success by a German submarine in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Gross tonnage 13,640 tons , under deck 10,339 tons, net tonnage 9,196 tons and as dimensions 5-8.x x 72.5 x 35.7 feet. 

Dutch whaler De Bloejende Boekwyt for sale at auction at Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1736

Shipbrokers Adam Beth and Jan Kramp. Auction at Nieuwezyds Heeren Logement, Haarlemmerdyk, Amsterdam on Monday 22 October 1736 when the Boomklok stopped of the fluyt ship De Bloejende Boekwyt, commandeur Dirk Blank. Built in 1721. In 1733-1734 hull renewed and since 1733 large parts of the rigging. Lying north of the Bickersboom. Dimensions  96¾ (prow) x 24.4 (first beam before large hatch within the hull) x 11.1½ (depth of hold at first beam before large hatch on load line) x 5.7 (height verdeck first beam before large hatch) x 7.8½ (height steering wheel area) Amsterdam foot. Bidding stopped at ƒ 4,500.  

Source

Stadsarchief Amsterdam 5071 inventory no. 4 

Dutch Greenland commandeur Adriaan Willemsz Vader 1717-1720

Bookkeeper Francois van den Boogaart, Amsterdam

1717

Whales 1 Barrels blubber 40

1718

Whales 2 Barrels blubber 100

Bookkeeper Joost Voogd, Amsterdam

1719

Whales 1 Barrels blubber 40

1720

Whales 1 Barrels blubber 40

Total

Whales 5 Barrels blubber 220

Source

Alphabetische naam-lyst van alle de Groenlandsche en Straat-Davidsche Commandeurs die sedert het jaar 1700 op Groenland en sedert het jaar 1719 op de Straat Davis etc. Gerret van Sant. Published by Johannes Enschede, Amsterdam 1770, with hand written notes until 1794.

British whale factory ship (ex-Carmartenshire 1913-1929) Sourabaya 1929-

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Owner in 1939 South Georgia Co. Ltd., managers Chr. Salvesen&Co. Homeport Dublin, United Kingdom-flagged. Completed by Workman Clark&Co., Belfast, Northern Ireland in February 1915, converted into a whale factory ship in 1929 and as part of convoy HX-212 southeast of Cape Farewell torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-436 on 27 October 1942. Gross tonnage 10,107 tons, under deck 9,036 tons, net tonnage 7,194 tons and as dimensions 470.2 x 58.3 x 32.2 feet. 

English Greenland whaler Vigilant returned home in 1815

An item reported the arrival at Newcastle, England of the whaler Vigilant on 28 July 1815, master Peel, coming from Greenland

Source

Lloyd’s List dated London, England Tuesday 1 August 1815

Scottish Greenland whaler Spencer returned home in 1815

An item reported the arrival at Dundee, Scotland of the whaler Spencer on 28 July 1815, master Keith, coming from Greenland

Source

Lloyd’s List dated London, England Tuesday 1 August 1815

German whale factory ship (ex-Württemberg 1921-1936) Jan Wellem 1936-1947

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Model Maritime Museum Hamburg, Germany

Call sign DIAE. Homeport Wesermunde, Germany. Owner in 1939 Henkel&Cie GmbH and managers Erste Deutsche Walfang GmbH. Built by Bremer Vulcan, Vegesack, Germany in 1921 for the Hamburg Amerika Line as the passenger-cargoship Württemberg between Hamburg,Germany-New York, USA, commissioned on 10 November 1921, in the La Plata service since 31 January 1923, sold to soap manufacturer Henkel&Cie in 1935, converted by Blohm&Voss, Hamburg into a whale factory ship between 1935-1936, commissioned on 6 September 1936, used as tanker to support the German invasion of Norway at Narvik. Sunk by British destroyers on 13 April 1940, salvaged and repaired and still used as tanker, during the evacuation of Memel (Klaipeda, Lithunia) in 1945 damaged, towed to Kiel, dcuttled by British forces in the Heikendorfer Bucht on 6 June 1946, salvaged and finally broken up at Blyth, England in 1947. Gross tonnage tons 11,776, under deck 8,573 tons, net tonnage 6,440 tons and as dimensions 468.8 x 71.4 x 32.7 feet. Several Dutch newspapers published end April-begin May 1940 referred to a statement of a Norwegian pilot reporting that the Jan Wellem was used as transport at Narvik embarking the major part of the troops and war stores and Narvik. She arrived in the Norwegian territorial waters near Andelsnes north of Harstad in the morning of 8 April. The pilot said that she a week earlier had left Germany. Similar ships arrived earlier in other Norwegian harbours. He stated also that in the night before the attack she hoisted the American flag to hide her real nationality. 

American sailing sealing ship Montgomery in 1833-1835

Antarctic sealing ground South Atlantic. Rigging schooner. Captain Cliff left New London in 1833 for whaling and sealing returning on 1 September 1834 with 700 fur-seal skins and some whale oil and bone. Made in 1834-1835 a second voyage returning with 1,000 fur-seal skins and 200 other skins.

Source

Goode, George Brown. The fisheries and fishery industries of the United States. Section V. History and methods of the fisheries. Volume II, Washington, 1887. (1978).

American sailing sealing ship Monticello in 1833

Antarctic sealing ground Cape Horn and Chilean coast. Rigging schooner. Captain unknown. Arrived at Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 1833 with 2,500 fur-seals skins and 3,000 hair-seal skins. Left again in July 1833 under captain Lindell but poor catch results.

Source

Goode, George Brown. The fisheries and fishery industries of the United States. Section V. History and methods of the fisheries. Volume II, Washington, 1887. (1978).

German general cargo ship Fembria 2006-


Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 20 July 2026

Portugal/Madeira-flagged, IMO 9350771, MMSI 255802840 and call sign CQPV. Built by Qingdao Hyundai Shipbuilding, Qingdao, China in 2006. Earlier Germany <2006) and Isle of Man (2006-2022) flagged. Owner/manager Tom Worden Gmbh&CO Kg, Oldendorf, Germany.