German trawler V 402 Dr. Adolf Spilker

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History
NameDr. Adolf Spilker
Owner
  • F. Busse (1936–39)
  • Kriegsmarine (1939–44)
Port of registry
BuilderSchiffbau-Gesellschaft Unterweser AG
Yard number261
Launched22 August 1936
Completed22 September 1936
Commissioned16 September 1939
Out of service21 August 1944
Identification
  • Code Letters DFCN
  • Fishing boat registration PG 506 (1936–39)
  • Pennant Number V 401 (1939)
  • Pennant Number V 402 (1939–44)
FateScuttled
General characteristics
Tonnage428 GRT, 159 NRT
Length54.56 m (179 ft 0 in)
Beam8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
Draught3.77 m (12 ft 4 in)
Depth4.35 m (14 ft 3 in)
Installed powerCompound steam engine, 70nhp
PropulsionSingle screw propeller

Dr. Adolf Spilker was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot, serving as V 401 Dr. Adolf Spilker and V 402 Dr. Adolf Spilker. She was scuttled at Bayonne, France in August 1944.

Description[edit]

Dr. Adolf Spilker was 54.56 metres (179 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 8.10 metres (26 ft 7 in). She had a depth of 4.35 metres (14 ft 3 in) and a draught of 3.77 metres (12 ft 4 in).[1] She was assessed at 435 GRT, 168 NRT. The ship was powered by a compound steam engine which had two cylinders each of 33 centimetres (13 in) and two cylinders each of 72 centimetres (28+38 in) diameter by 70 centimetres (27+916 in) stroke. The engine was built by Christiansen & Meyer, Harburg, Germany and was rated at 70nhp. It drove a single screw propeller.[2]

History[edit]

Dr. Adolf Spilker was built as yard number 261 by Schiffbau-Gesellschaft Unterweser AG, Wesermünde, Germany.[1] She was launched on 22 August 1936 and completed on 22 September.[3] She was built for F. Busse, Wesermünde. The Code Letters DFCN were allocated,[2] as was the fishing boat registration PG 502.[3]

On 16 September 1939, she was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine and commissioned with 4 Vorpostenflotille as the Vorpostenboot V 401 Dr. Adolf Spilker. On 16 October 1944, she was redesignated V 402 Dr. Adolf Spilker.[3] She was scuttled as a blockship at Bayonne, Basses-Pyrénées, France on 20 August 1944.[4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gröner 1993, p. 227.
  2. ^ a b "Dr. Adolf Spilker (07103)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Trawlers &c. DIS-DOL (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1937–1938. Retrieved 20 November 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
  3. ^ a b c Gröner 1993, p. 232.
  4. ^ Rohwer, Jürgen; Gerhard Hümmelchen. "Seekrieg 1944, August". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 20 November 2022.

Sources[edit]

  • Gröner, Erich (1993). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945 (in German). Vol. 8/I: Flußfahrzeuge, Ujäger, Vorpostenboote, Hilfsminensucher, Küstenschutzverbände (Teil 1). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4807-5.