View source for MV Spreewald

{{otherships|HMS Lucia}}
{{Short description|German cargo ship sunk by a U-boat during World War II}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= Spreewald 1922 HAPAG AF-43228 142123.jpg
|Ship caption= ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' in 1923
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Weimar Republic|civil}} {{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany}}
|Ship country= Germany
|Ship name= *1922: ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''
*1935: ''Anubis''
*1939: ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''
|Ship namesake= *1922: [[Spree Forest|Spreewald]]
*1925: [[Anubis]]
|Ship owner= [[Hamburg America Line]]
|Ship operator= 
|Ship registry= [[Port of Hamburg|Hamburg]]
|Ship route= 
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Deutsche Werft]], Hamburg
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 12 October 1922
|Ship completed= 1922
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship refit= 
|Ship identification= *1922: [[code letters]] RDFL
*{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Lima}}
*1934: [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] DIFF
*{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|India}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
|Ship fate= sunk 31 January 1942
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header= 
|Header caption= 
|Ship type= [[cargo ship]]
|Ship class= 
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|5083}}, {{NRT|3002}}
|Ship length= {{cvt|399.6|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|54.2|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= 
|Ship depth= {{cvt|27.4|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 2
|Ship power= 714 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]
|Ship propulsion= *1 × 4-stroke [[diesel engine]]
*1 × [[Propeller|screw]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|11|kn|km/h}}
|Ship capacity= 
|Ship troops=
|Ship crew= 
|Ship sensors= *[[Submarine signals|submarine signalling]]
*by 1931: wireless [[direction finding]]
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]: ''[[:de:Odenwald (Schiff, 1923)|Odenwald]]''
}}
|}

'''MV ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''''' was a [[Hamburg America Line]] (HAPAG) [[Cargo ship|cargo]] [[motor ship]] that was launched in 1922 and sunk in a [[friendly fire]] incident in 1942. She was renamed '''''Anubis''''' in 1935, and reverted to her original name ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' in 1939.

This was the second of three HAPAG ships named after the [[Spree Forest|Spreewald]] district of [[Lusatia]]. The first was a [[steamship]] that was launched in 1907, captured in 1914, and was converted into the [[Submarine tender|submarine depôt ship]] {{HMS|Lucia}}.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=99}} The third was a motor ship that was completed in 1951 and scrapped in 1979.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=186}}

==A class of ''{{lang|de|–wald}}'' ships==
Between 1921 and 1923 [[Deutsche Werft]] in [[Hamburg]] built a [[Ship class|class]] of ten single-[[Propeller|screw]] cargo ships for HAPAG. The first two, ''{{lang|de|Niederwald}}'' and ''{{lang|de|Steigerwald}}'', were completed in 1921. Each was a [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo]] [[steamship]], with a [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion]] steam engine plus an exhaust [[steam turbine]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922|loc=NIC–NIE}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922|loc=STE}}

The eight ships that followed were general cargo ships, with no cargo refrigeration, and with three different propulsion systems. ''{{lang|de|Westerwald}}'', ''{{lang|de|Frankenwald}}'', ''{{lang|de|Wasgenwald}}'', ''{{lang|de|Idarwald}}'', and ''{{lang|de|Kellerwald}}'' had only a triple-expansion engine, with no exhaust steam turbine.{{sfn|Haws|1980|pp=133–134}} ''[[Empire Mariner|Schwarzwald]]'' had two steam turbines driving its single shaft via [[Drivetrain|double-reduction gearing]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1924|loc=SCH–SCI}} The final two, ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' and ''[[:de:Odenwald (Schiff, 1923)|Odenwald]]'', were [[motor ship]]s, completed in 1923.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=136}}

HAPAG had previously had a series of [[cargo liner]]s with names ending in "''{{lang|de|–wald}}''". All had joined its fleet between 1907 and 1912, but the [[Allies of World War I|Entente Powers]] had captured, sunk, or confiscated them between 1914 and 1919. Most of the new class of ships built in 1921–23 re-used the names of ships from that previous series.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=99}}{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=90}}{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=104}}{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=124}}

==''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''==
[[File:Spreewald 1922 HAPAG AF-43227 142122.jpg|thumb|''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' seen from her [[Port and starboard|port]] quarter, showing her cruiser-style [[stern]] ]]
Deutsche Werft launched ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' on 12 October 1922 and completed her before the end of the year. Her registered length was {{cvt|399.6|ft|abbr=on}}, her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|54.2|ft|abbr=on}}, and her depth was {{cvt|27.4|ft|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|5083}} and {{NRT|3002}}. Her single screw was driven by an [[AEG (German company)|AEG]] 12-cylinder [[Four-stroke engine|four-stroke]] [[diesel engine]]. It was rated at 714 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]],{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1924|loc=SPI–SPR}} and gave her a speed of {{convert|11|kn|km/h}}.

HAPAG [[Ship registration|registered]] ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' at [[Port of Hamburg|Hamburg]]. Her [[code letters]] were RDFL. Her navigation equipment included [[Submarine signals|submarine signalling]],{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1924|loc=SPI–SPR}} and by 1931 it also included wireless [[direction finding]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1931|loc=SPL–SPR}} In 1934 the [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless telegraph]] [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] DIFF superseded her code letters.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1934|loc=SPO–SRG}}

On 28 April 1924 ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' ran aground at [[Port of Emden|Emden]].<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=29 May 1924 |page=27 |issue=43664 |column=G}}</ref> She was refloated the next day.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Casualty reports |date=1 May 1924 |page=22 |issue=43640 |column=E }}</ref>

In 1935 HAPAG renamed ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' and ''{{lang|de|Odenwald}}'' as ''Anubis'' and ''Assuan'' respectively.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=136}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1935|loc=ANT–AOR}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1935|loc=ASN–ASS}} In 1939 it changed both ships back to their original names.{{sfn|Haws|1980|p=136}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=SPR–STA}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=OCT–OGA}}

''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' was in the [[Far East]] when [[French Third Republic|France]] and the [[United Kingdom]] declared war on [[Nazi Germany|Germany]] in September 1939. She took refuge in Port Arthur in Dairen, [[Manchukuo]] (now [[Lüshun Port]] in [[Dalian]], [[China]]). Manchukuo was a [[puppet state]] of the [[Empire of Japan]].

==Loss==
On 21 October 1941 ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' left Dairen to try to reach [[German-occupied Europe]]. She carried a cargo strategic to the German war effort: 3,365 tons of rubber, 320 tons of tin, 20 tons of [[tungsten]], and a quantity of [[quinine]].<ref name=Helgason>{{cite web |url= https://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1305.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Spreewald |work=uboat.net |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref> En route she met the German supply ship {{ship||Kulmerland|ship|2}} in the [[Society Islands]]. ''{{lang|de|Kulmerland}}'' transferred to ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' 86 UK [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]], who had survived the {{ship|German auxiliary cruiser|Kormoran}} sinking their ships.

''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' disguised herself as two [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] cargo ships: the Norwegian ''Elg'' and British ''Brittany''. She successfully [[Blockade runner|ran the blockade]] around occupied Europe. On 29 January 1942 {{GS|U-575||2}} was due to rendezvous with her and escort her through the [[Bay of Biscay]] to [[Bordeaux]] in [[German military administration in occupied France during World War II|German-occupied France]]. {{GS|U-123|1940|2}} also arranged to be at the rendezvous, in order for ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''{{'}}s [[Naval surgeon|ship's doctor]] to treat an injured man aboard the U-boat.<ref name=Helgason/>

''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' reached the rendezvous ahead of schedule. ''U-123'' met her as arranged, but ''U-575'' was not there yet. ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' continued unescorted, still disguised as ''Elg''. At 16:50 hrs on 31 January she was steering a zigzag course in the North Atlantic north of the [[Azores]] when {{GS|U-333||2}} hit her with one torpedo. ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''{{'}}s [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless telegraph]] operator broadcast a [[distress signal]] under her other pseudonym, ''Brittany''. ''U-333'' received the distress signal, from which the U-boat commander, [[Peter-Erich Cremer]], concluded he had hit an Allied cargo ship. At 18:33 hrs ''U-333'' hit ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}'' with a second torpedo, which sank her at position {{coord|45|12|N|24|50|W|dim:2000000|display=inline,title}}.<ref name=Helgason/>

==Rescue==
Only then did Cremer realise his mistake, and ''U-333'' began to rescue survivors. {{GS|U-701||2}} and {{GS|U-582||2}} joined the search, but were low on fuel as they were returning from their patrols. {{GS|U-332||2}} and {{GS|U-105|1940|2}}, which were just starting their patrols, joined the search, and so did five [[Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor]] long-range patrol aircraft from [[Luftwaffe]] bases in France. ''U-105'' rescued 25 crew members and 55 PoWs in lifeboats and rafts. Another lifeboat, containing ''{{lang|de|Spreewald}}''{{'}}s [[Master mariner|Master]], 10 crew members, and 13 PoWs was unaccounted for. ''U-105'' searched for another three days before giving up and heading back to her base at [[Lorient]]. Of the 152 aboard ''Spreewald'', 72 were killed.<ref name=Helgason/>

''U-105'' reported that she was carrying severely injured German sailor. A [[Dornier Do 24]] [[flying boat]] was sent to pick up him up, but crashed in rough sea. ''U-105'' rescued all seven of the aircrew, and sank the wreck of the aircraft by gunfire.<ref name=Helgason/>

On 9 February ''U-333'' got back to her base at [[La Pallice]]. Cremer was immediately [[court-martial]]led, but his defence was accepted, and he was found not guilty.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.uboat.net/men/cremer.htm |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Peter-Erich Cremer |work=uboat.net |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |year=1980 |title=The Ships of the Hamburg America, Adler and Carr Lines |series=Merchant Fleets in Profile |volume=4 |place=Cambridge |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |isbn=0-85059-397-2}}
*{{cite book |year=1922 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motor Vessels |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |via=[[Internet Archive]] |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1923ST/page/n820/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1924 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1925ST/page/n1081/mode/1up |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1924}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1931 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons gross and over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=[[Southampton City Council]] |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/31/31b1146.pdf |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1931}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons gross and over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0791.pdf |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1934}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1935 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships over 300 tons |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/35/35b0053.pdf |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1935}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1939 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons. Trawlers, tugs, dredgers, etc. Sailing vessels. Shipowners, etc. |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0839.pdf |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939}} }}

{{1924 shipwrecks}}
{{January 1942 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spreewald}}

[[Category:1922 ships]]
[[Category:Friendly fire incidents of World War II]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1924]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in January 1942]]
[[Category:Ships built in Hamburg]]
[[Category:Ships of the Hamburg America Line]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]