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SS Birka (1937)

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History
NameBirka
Owner
  • Mathies Reederei (1937–40)
  • Kriegsmarine (1940–43)
Port of registry
BuilderFlensburger Schiffbauw-Gesellschaft
Launched23 June 1937
Commissioned5 September 1940
Out of service1 June 1943
Identification
  • Code Letters DJUF
  • Kriegsmarine designation "Schiff 8" (1940–43)
FateStruck a mine and sank
General characteristics
Class and type
Tonnage1,000 GRT, 508 NRT
Length73.23 metres (240 ft 3 in)
Beam10.39 metres (34 ft 1 in)
Depth3.71 metres (12 ft 2 in)
Installed powerCompound steam engine, 184nhp
PropulsionSingle screw propeller

Birka was a German passenger ship built in 1937. She was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine during the Second World War for use as a hospital ship. She struck a mine and sank in 1943.

Description

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The ship was 73.23 metres (240 ft 3 in) long, with a beam of 10.39 metres (34 ft 1 in) and a depth of 3.71 metres (12 ft 2 in). She was powered by a 4-cylinder compound steam engine, which had 2 cylinders each of 37 centimetres (14+9⁄16 in) and 2 cylinders each of 80 centimetres (31+1⁄2 in) diameter by 80 centimetres (31+1⁄2 in) stroke. The engine was built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany. It was rated at 184nhp and drove a single screw propeller. She was assessed at 1,000 GRT, 508 NRT.[1]

History

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Birka was built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft for Mathies Reederei KG, Hamburg, Germany.[1] She was launched on 23 June 1937.[2] Her port of registry was Hamburrg and the Code Letters DJUF were allocated.[1] On 24 November 1937, she ran aground off the coast of Sweden and was severely damaged.[3] She was refloated the next day and taken in to Stockholm for repairs.[4]

On 5 September 1940, Birka was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine for use as a hospital ship.[5] Allocated to 5 Vorpostengruppe and designated as "Schiff 8",[6] she served in Norwegian waters. On 1 June 1943, she struck a mine and sank in the Altafjord with the loss of 115 lives.[5] The mine had been laid on 6 May by the Soviet submarine L-22.[7] The Stockholms-Tidningen claimed that Birka had been used to carry troops and munitions from Trondheim to Kirkenes in violation of her status as a hospital ship.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Birka (70911)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Navires à Vapeur et à Moteurs. BIN-BIR (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1938–1939. Retrieved 18 January 2023 – via Southampton City Council.
  2. ^ "KRIEGSMARINE HOSPITAL SHIPS (Lazarettschiffe)". Kbismark. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Casualty Reports". The Times. No. 47851. London. 25 November 1937. col E, p. 26.
  4. ^ "Casualty Reports". The Times. No. 47852. London. 26 November 1937. col E, p. 28.
  5. ^ a b "Lazarettschiffe Birka". Feldgrau. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Vorpostenflottillen 1939 – 1945" (in German). Württembergische Landesbibliothek. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  7. ^ Rohwer, Jürgen; Gerhard Hümmelchen. "Seekrieg 1943, Mai". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  8. ^ "400 German Soldiers Drowned". The Times. No. 49579. London. 23 June 1943. col C, p. 3.
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