German trawler V 403 Deutschland
# German trawler V 403 Deutschland

Deutschland was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot. She served as V 404 Deutschland and V 403 Deutschland. She struck a mine and sank off the Dutch coast in August 1940.

## Description

Deutschland was 51.35 metres (168 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 8.00 metres (26 ft 3 in). She had a depth of 3.74 metres (12 ft 3 in) and a draught of 4.65 metres (15 ft 3 in). She was assessed at 432 GRT, 161 NRT. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 35 centimetres (13+3⁄4 in), 55 centimetres (21+5⁄8 in) and 90 centimetres (35+7⁄16 in) diameter by 65 centimetres (25+9⁄16 in) stroke. The engine was made by Deschimag Seebeckwerft, Wesermünde, Germany. It was rated at 95nhp. The engine powered a single screw propeller driven via a low pressure turbine and double reduction gearing. It could propel the ship at 12 knots (22 km/h).

## History

The ship was built as yard number 521 by Deschimag Seekbeckwerft, Wesermünde for the Hanseatische Hochseefischerei AG, Bremerhaven. She was launched in July 1934 and completed on 4 August. The fishing boat registration BX 247 was allocated. She was allocated the Code Letters DQPY.

Deutschland was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine on 3 September 1939 for use as a vorpostenboot. She was allocated to 4 Vorpostenflotille as V 404 Deutschland. On 16 October she was redesignated V 403 Deutschland. On 5 September 1940, she struck a mine and sank in the Westerschelde off Vlissingen, Zeeland, Netherlands. Four of her crew were killed.

