 Bärenfels in 1922 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Germany | |
| Name | Bärenfels |
| Owner |  DDG Hansa |
| Port of registry | Bremen |
| Builder | Joh. C. Tecklenborg,Geestemünde |
| Yard number | 285 |
| Launched | 5 February 1921 |
| Completed | 2 May 1921 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Type | cargo liner |
| Tonnage | 7,569 GRT; 4,679 NRT; 11,000 DWT |
| Length | 468.5 ft (142.8 m) |
| Beam | 58.6 ft (17.9 m) |
| Draught | 27.1 ft (8.27 m) |
| Depth | 32.5 ft (9.9 m) |
| Decks | 2 |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | singlescrew |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Crew | 64 |
| Armament | (in WW2): 4 × 20mm anti-aircraft guns |
| Notes | one of sevensister ships built 1915–21 |
SSBärenfels was a Germansteamcargo liner that was launched in 1921 forDDG Hansa. In 1940, she took part in theGerman invasion of Norway and was sunk byFleet Air Armdive bombers. Her wreck was raised, and in 1941, she was returned to service. In 1944, aRoyal Navymidget submarine sank her, killing 11 of hercomplement. In 1947, her wreck was raised to be scrapped, but while under tow she sank a third time. The wreck is now arecreationalwreck diving site.
Bärenfels was the fifth of a series of sevensister ships built for DDG Hansa that started withAltenfels (later renamedStolzenfels) launched in 1915. The others wereTreuenfels launched in 1916;Geierfels launched in 1918;Frauenfels launched in 1919; andMarienfels andOckenfels launched afterBärenfels in 1921.[1]
This was the second of four DDG Hansa ships calledBärenfels. The first was a steamship built in 1898 that theUnited Kingdom captured in 1914.[2] The third was aheavy-liftmotor ship that was built in 1951 and which DDG Hansa sold in 1972.[3] The fourth was a heavy-lift motor ship that was built in 1976 and sold when DDG Hansa went into receivership in 1980.[4]
Joh. C. Tecklenborg builtBärenfels in Geestemünde, which is now part ofBremerhaven. She was launched on 5 February 1921 and completed on 2 May.[1] Her registered length was 468.5 ft (142.8 m); herbeam was 58.6 ft (17.9 m); her depth was 32.5 ft (9.9 m);[5] and herdraught was 27.1 ft (8.27 m).[1] Hertonnages were 7,569 GRT; 4,679 NRT;[5] and 11,000 DWT.[6] She had one 30-tonderrick; two 20-ton derricks; 16 five-ton derricks; and berths for four passengers.[1] She had astraight stem, and afantail stern.
Bärenfels had a singlescrew, driven by a three-cylindertriple-expansion engine that was rated at 3,600IHP. Anexhaust steam turbine was added in 1928–29 (see below).[1]
Bärenfels wasregistered inBremen.[5] She worked DDG Hansa's cargo liner route between Germany, thePersian Gulf,India andBurma.[1]
On 7 May 1924, the Swedish steamshipYeddo collided withBärenfels in theScheldt.Yeddo was beached but later sank.[7]
In 1926, JC Tecklenborg introduced the Bauer-Wach system in which a low-pressuresteam turbine could be fitted beside a piston engine, driven by exhaust steam from the piston engine's low-pressure cylinder, and drive the samepropeller shaft viadouble-reduction gearing and aFöttingerfluid coupling.[8]
In May 1928, DDG Hansa returnedBärenfels to Geestemünde for a Bauer-Wach exhaust turbine to be added. For some reason the work seems to have taken 18 months. On 8 November 1929, JC Tecklenborg returnedBärenfels to DDG Hansa. The turbine increased her total power to 4,100 IHP and gave her a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).[1]
Bärenfels'code letters were QLHM until 1933.[5] In 1934 they were superseded by thecall sign DOMI.[9]
On 8 March 1940,Bärenfels was assigned to theAusfuhrstaffel ("export squadron") of the German invasion of Norway. She was meant to reachNarvik in northern Norway, but got only as far asBergen in southwest Norway,[10] where she docked on 10 April.
On 14 April 1940,Blackburn Skua aircraft of800 and803 squadrons fromRNAS Hatston inOrkney attacked German targets in Bergen. Lieutenant William Lucy of 803 Squadron hit and damagedBärenfels.[10] German munitions on the quayside exploded destroying part of the quay.Bärenfels' hull was torn open on her port quarter and she sank at her moorings.[1][11]
Norwegiansalvage ships pumped outBärenfels' engine room, she was raised and on 13 August, she was placed in afloating dock in Bergen. On 9 November, she was towed toOslo, whereAkers mekaniske Verksted repaired her. Work was completed on 29 October 1941 at a cost of 1.6 million ℛ︁ℳ︁. On 10 May 1942, theKriegsmarine requisitionedBärenfels as a transport ship.[1]
By April 1944,Bärenfels wasdefensively armed with four 20mm anti-aircraft guns: one each on herforecastle andpoop deck, and two amidships (one eachport and starboard). She had between 20 and 25 gunners to crew the guns.[1]
On 14 April 1944, the Royal NavyX-class submarineX-24 penetrated Bergen harbour to sink the floating dock.Bärenfels was at the nearby coal wharf unloading about 8,000 tons of coal andcoke. At 0848 hrsX-24's crew planted alimpet mine on the hull ofBärenfels instead of the floating dock.[12] The mine blew a hole inBärenfels' engine room and she sank at her moorings again. 11 of her gunners were trapped in the after part of the ship, and were killed when it sank.[1]
On 11 September,X-24 returned and succeeded in sinking the floating dock.[12]
In 1947,Bärenfels' wreck was raised again, this time with the intention of taking her toAskøy to be scrapped. Two barges were used to keep her afloat, but they could not hold her and she sank again. Her wreck is at60°31′13″N5°04′30″E / 60.5202°N 5.075°E /60.5202; 5.075, in 24 to 35 m (79 to 115 ft) of water,[1] and is now a destination for recreational divers.[13]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1924 | |
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Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in April 1940 | |
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Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in April 1944 | |
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