German trawler V 406 Hans Loh
| History | |
|---|---|
| Germany | |
| Name |
|
| Owner | Grundmann & Gröschel |
| Operator | 1939:  Kriegsmarine |
| Port of registry | 1936:  Wesermünde |
| Builder | DeSchiMAG Seebeck, Wesermünde |
| Yard number | 565 |
| Launched | 23 November 1936 |
| Completed | 7 January 1937 |
| Commissioned | into Kriegsmarine: 17 September 1939 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk by mine, 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | fishing trawler |
| Tonnage | 464 GRT, 169 NRT |
| Length | 163.3 ft (49.8 m) |
| Beam | 26.4 ft (8.0 m) |
| Draught | 13 ft 7 in (4.15 m) |
| Depth | 13.3 ft (4.1 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 1 × shaft; 1 × screw |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Notes | sister ship: Franz Dankworth |
The German trawler V 406 Hans Loh was a steam trawler that became a Vorpostenboot (patrol boat) in the Second World War. She was launched in Germany in 1936 as Hans Loh. In September 1939 she was converted into the Vorpostenboot V-402. That October she was renumbered V-206. A mine sank her in the Gironde estuary in August 1942, killing 18 members of her crew.
Building and registration
[edit]In 1936–37 Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau (DeSchiMAG) built a pair of trawlers at its Seebeck shipyard in Wesermünde, Bremerhaven for the fishing fleet of Grundmann & Gröschel. Yard number 560 was launched as Franz Dankworth, and completed in 1936. Her sister ship was built as yard number 565; launched on 23 November 1936 as Hans Loh; and completed on 7 January 1937.[1]
Hans Loh had the same specifications as Franz Dankworth.[2] Her registered length was 163.3 ft (49.8 m); her beam was 26.4 ft (8.0 m); and her depth was 13.3 ft (4.1 m).[3] Her draught was 13 ft 7 in (4.15 m).[4] Her tonnages were 464 GRT and 169 NRT. She had a cruiser stern, and a single screw. She was equipped with wireless direction finding, and an echo sounding device.[3]
DeSchiMAG also built her engines. Her main engine was a three-cylinder triple-expansion engine. It was supplemented by an exhaust steam turbine, which drove the same propeller shaft via DeSchiMAG's patent Bauer-Wach system of a Föttinger fluid coupling and double-reduction gearing. The combined power of her reciprocating engine plus exhaust turbine was rated at 96 NHP,[3] and gave her a speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).[4]
Grundmann & Gröschel registered Hans Loh at Wesermünde. Her port letter and number were PG 509,[5][6] and her wireless telegraph call sign was DFCQ.[3]
Vorpostenboot
[edit]The Kriegsmarine requisitioned Hans Loh on 17 September 1939; had her converted into a Vorpostenboot, and commissioned her as V-402. She served in the 4. Vorpostenflottille ("4th Patrol Boat Flotilla"), which operated in the North Sea. On 16 October 1939 she was renumbered V-406. After France capitulated to Germany, the flotilla was transferred to the Bay of Biscay; mainly Bordeaux and Bayonne.[6]
On 18 August 1942, V-406 steamed north up the coast from Arcachon to Royan with V 407 Dorum and V 411 Saarland. As the three trawlers entered the Gironde Estuary, V-406 struck a mine that the French submarine Rubis had laid, and sank at position 45°02′N 1°32.7′W / 45.033°N 1.5450°W. V-411 rescued 24 members of V-406's crew, but one died shortly afterward. V-411 landed survivors at Royan.[7] In total, 18 members of V-406's crew were killed.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Gröner 1993, pp. 205, 212.
- ^ Lloyd's Register 1938, FRA.
- ^ a b c d Lloyd's Register 1938, HAN
- ^ a b Gröner 1993, p. 205.
- ^ a b Gröner 1993, p. 212.
- ^ a b "Vorpostenboote 1939 - 1945; 1 – 20". Flottenverbände der deutschen Kriegsmarine (in German). Württembergische Landesbibliothek. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Claes, Johnny; Mignen, André; Serge, Serret (24 January 2024). "Hans Loh FV (1936~1939) V-406 (Hans Loh) [+1942]". Wrecksite. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Gröner, Erich (1993). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815–1945 (in German). Vol. 8: Flußfahrzeuge, Ujäger, Vorpostenboote, Hilfsminensucher, Küstenschutzverbände (Teil 1). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4807-5.
- Lloyd's Register of Shipping. Vol. II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons: trawlers, tugs, dredgers, &c. London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1938 – via Southampton City Council.
