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 m long, with a beam of 8.00 m. She had a depth of 3.74 m and a draught of 4.65 m. She was assessed at,. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 13+3/4 in, 21+5/8 in and 35+7/16 in diameter by 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 kn.

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.