German trawler V 107 Botilla Russ

History
Name	Botilla Russ (1922–40) Sperrbrecher 137 (1940–44)
Owner	Ernst Russ (1922–39) Kriegsmarine (1939–44)
Port of registry	Hamburg, Germany (1922–35) Hamburg, Germany (1935–39)  Kriegsmarine (1939–44)
Builder	Atlas Werke
Yard number	166
Launched	August 1922
Commissioned	1 October 1939
Out of service	28 January 1944
Identification	Code Letters RCQF (1922–34) Code Letters DHCY (1934–39) Pennant number V 107 (1939–40)
Fate	Struck a mine and sank off the coast of France
General characteristics
Class and type	Vorpostenboot (Converted cargo ship)
Tonnage	996 GRT, 586 NRT
Length	68.28 m (224 ft 0 in)
Beam	10.13 m (33 ft 3 in)
Depth	4.14 m (13 ft 7 in)
Installed power	Triple expansion steam engine, 129 nhp
Propulsion	1 screw propeller
Speed	10+1⁄2 knots (19.4 km/h)

V 107 Botilla Russ was a German cargo ship which was converted into a Vorpostenboot and then a Sperrbrecher for the Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Description

The ship was 68.28 metres (224 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 10.13 metres (33 ft 3 in) and a depth of 4.14 metres (13 ft 7 in). She was assessed at 966 GRT, 586 NRT She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 45.9 centimetres (18+1⁄16 in), 75 centimetres (29+1⁄2 in) and 123 centimetres (48+1⁄2 in) diameter by 75 centimetres (29+1⁄2 in) stroke. The engine was built by Atlas Werke, Bremen. It was rated at 129nhp,[1] and could propel her at 10+1⁄2 knots (19.4 km/h).[2]

History

Botilla Russ was built in 1922 by Atlas Werke for Ernst Russ, Hamburg, Germany. The Code Letters RCQF were allocated.[1] In 1934, her Code Letters were changed to DHCY.[3]

On 1 October 1939, Bottila Russs was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine. She served with 1 Vorpostenflotille as V 107 Botilla Russ. On 22 June 1940, she was transferred to 3 Sperrbrecherflotille as Sperrbrecher 137.[4] She struck a mine and sank off the coast of Finistère, France on 28 January 1944.[2][5]

References

1. "Botilla Russ (66047)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Steamers & Motorships. BOS-BOU (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1930–1931. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
2. "Sperrbrecher-137 (Botilla Russ) [+1944]". Wrecksite. 4 September 2014.
3. "Botilla Russ (21655)" (PDF). Lloyd's Register: Navires à Voiles. BOT-BOX (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1935–1936. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via Southampton City Council.
4. "Vorpostenboote der deutschen Kriegsmarine 1939–45". wlb-stuttgart.de (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2022.
5. "Single Ship Report for "5605633"". Miramar Ship Index.