SS Bärenfels (1921)
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 | single screw |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Crew | 64 |
| Armament | (in WW2): 4 × 20mm anti-aircraft guns |
| Notes | one of seven sister ships built 1915–21 |
SS Bärenfels was a German steam cargo liner that was launched in 1921 for DDG Hansa. In 1940, she took part in the German invasion of Norway and was sunk by Fleet Air Arm dive bombers. Her wreck was raised, and in 1941, she was returned to service. In 1944, a Royal Navy midget submarine sank her, killing 11 of her complement. In 1947, her wreck was raised to be scrapped, but while under tow she sank a third time. The wreck is now a recreational wreck diving site.
Bärenfels was the fifth of a series of seven sister ships built for DDG Hansa that started with Altenfels (later renamed Stolzenfels) launched in 1915. The others were Treuenfels launched in 1916; Geierfels launched in 1918; Frauenfels launched in 1919; and Marienfels and Ockenfels launched after Bärenfels in 1921.
This was the second of four DDG Hansa ships called Bärenfels. The first was a steamship built in 1898 that the United Kingdom captured in 1914. The third was a heavy-lift motor ship that was built in 1951 and which DDG Hansa sold in 1972. The fourth was a heavy-lift motor ship that was built in 1976 and sold when DDG Hansa went into receivership in 1980.