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Wednesday 13 December 2017

German training sailing ship Niobe (1913) 1922-1932

Model by Gerhardt Brodt, 1900

Launched  as the steel-built 4-mast gaff schooner Morten Jensen in Fredrikshvan Vaerft of Flydedok, Frederikshavn, Denmark on 2 August 1913, used as a cargo ship by F.L. Knakkergaard, Nykøbing Mors, sold to Norway and renamed Tyholm in 1916, captured by the German submarine SM UB-41 while loaded with mine timber underway towards England on 21 November 1916, sold to German private ship owners, served under several names as Aldebaran, Niobe and Schwalbe, purchased by the German navy in 1922, converted into a 3-mast barque and renamed in 1922, commissioned on 30 April 1923, trainings ship of the navy and sunk during a thunderstorm in the Fehmarn Belt on 26 July 1932, salvaged on 21 August 1932, towed to Kiel, Germany and finally ceremonially sunk by the German torpedo boat Jaguar. Just 40 men were saved, another 69 killed.

Displacement 645 tons and as dimensions 46,1 (without bowsprit)-57,8 (over all) x 9,17 x 5,2 metres or 151.3-189.8 x 30.1 x 17.1 feet. Fitted out with 1-160 shp 2-cylinder two-stroke Bolinder engine. Sail area 983 square metres/10.580 square feet. Crew numbered 34 men (including 7 officers) with accommodation for 65 cadets.