SMS Schiff K
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The
steamship Kronprinz Wilhelm was built as a freighter, but
before she was completed the First World War broke out,
and the German navy requisitioned her. She was outfitted
with two 105mm cannons and renamed Hilfsschiff K, or
"Schiff K" for short, and put in service to protect the
German trawler fleet in the North Sea. This was a vital
task for Germany's food production, but was also a primary
target for Royal navy. On her way back to Germany 2.
November 1917 she was attacked by a British fleet who were
hunting for the fishing fleet in Kattegat. She was the
first to come under enemy fire, and quickly went down in
the deep. After having sunk Hilfsschiff K, the British
force managed to sink another eight trawlers, and today
the wrecks of Frankfurt, Emmy, Julius Wieting, Frisia,
Seeadler, Makrele, Sonne and Walter still rest in the cold
deep. The remains of Schiff K rest today on a depth of 32
to 41 meter southeast of Anholt.
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| GPS (ED50): D.56:29,717 12:11,441  Picture: Kronprinz Wilhelm Courtesy of Allen Jensen & Vrag |
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