German trawler V 204 Zieten
# German trawler V 204 Zieten

Zieten was a German fishing trawler that was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in the Second World War for use as a Vorpostenboot, serving as V 213 Zieten and V 204 Zieten. She was scuttled in January 1945 but was raised later that year and rebuilt as the survey ship Astrolabe. She served with the French Navy 1947–48 and was sold for use as a fishing trawler. In service until 1953, she was scrapped the following year.

## Description

Hinrich Hey was 50.63 metres (166 ft 1 in) long, with a beam of 8.19 metres (26 ft 10 in). She had a depth of 4.65 metres (15 ft 3 in) and a draught of 3.83 metres (12 ft 7 in). She was assessed at 422 GRT, 156 NRT. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 36.0 centimetres (14+3⁄16 in), 56.0 centimetres (22+1⁄16 in) and 93 centimetres (36+5⁄8 in) diameter by 64.9 centimetres (25+9⁄16 in) stroke. The engine was made by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, Germany. It was rated at 116nhp. The engine powered a single screw propeller driven via a low pressure turbine, double reduction gearing and a hydraulic coupling. It could propel the ship at 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h).

## History

Zieten was built as yard number 709 by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack, for the Hochseefischerei F. A. Pust, Wesermünde, Germany. The Code Letters DEAJ and fishing boat registration PG 419 were allocated.

On 17 September 1939, Zieten was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine for use as a Vorpostenboot. She was allocated to 2 Vorpostenflotille as V 213 Zieten. In January 1945, she was redesignated V 204 Zieten. She was scuttled as a blockship at Nantes, Loire-Inférieure, France later that year. She was later raised and by 1 January 1946 was under rebuild at Cherbourg, Manche, France. She was renamed Astrolabe on 21 January 1947 and arrived at L'Orient, Morbihan on 21 September 1947 for conversion to a survey vessel. The Pennant Number P666 was allocated. On 4 November 1948, she was removed from the Navy List and was returned to service as a fishing trawler. She was condemned on 19 December 1953 and was sold in L'Orient for scrapping in 1954.

