German weather ship WBS 8 August Wriedt facts for kids
August Wriedt was a special ship that had a few different names and jobs during its life. It was first built in 1929 as a fishing boat called Dolly Kühling. Later, it was renamed August Wriedt. During World War II, it became a German weather ship. In 1941, a British ship captured it. After that, it served the British Royal Navy as HMS Maria until 1950. The ship was eventually taken apart for scrap metal in 1951.
HMS Maria in May 1945 on the harbor quay in Maassluis, Netherlands
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Quick facts for kids History |
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   Germany |
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| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Port of registry |
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| Builder | Schiffswerft von Henry Koch AG, Lübeck |
| Launched | 6 March 1929 |
| Completed | March 1929 |
| Identification |
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| Captured | 29 May 1941 by HMS Malvernian |
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Maria (1941–50) |
| Owner |  Royal Navy (1941–50) |
| Acquired | 29 May 1941 |
| Commissioned | March 1942 |
| Decommissioned | 1950 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, June 1951 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam | 7.85 metres (25 ft 9 in) |
| Depth | 3.56 metres (11 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion steam engine, 88nhp |
| Propulsion | Single screw propeller |
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h) |
Contents
About the Ship
The ship was about 151 feet (46 m) long when it was first built. It was 26 feet (7.8 m) wide and 11 feet (3.5 m) deep. It weighed about 372 gross tons.
The ship was powered by a triple expansion steam engine. This type of engine uses steam to push pistons, which then turn a propeller to move the ship. It could travel at a speed of about 11 knots (20 km/h).
In 1937, the ship was made longer, reaching about 166 feet (50.7 m). Its weight also increased to 407 gross tons.
A Ship's Journey: From Fishing to War
Early Life as a Fishing Boat
The ship was built in 1929 in Lübeck, Germany. It was first named Dolly Kühling and worked as a fishing trawler. This means its main job was to catch fish.
It was owned by different fishing companies over the years. In 1935, its name was changed to August Wriedt.
Serving in World War II
In 1940, during World War II, the German navy, called the Kriegsmarine, took over August Wriedt. They used it as a weather ship. Weather ships are important because they collect information about the weather, which helps with planning military operations.
On May 29, 1941, while it was in the Atlantic Ocean, a British ship called HMS Malvernian found and captured August Wriedt. A small group of British sailors then took the captured ship to St. John's, Newfoundland.
New Role as HMS Maria
After being captured, August Wriedt joined the British Royal Navy in 1942. Its name was changed again, this time to HMS Maria. Its new job was to be a "wreck dispersal vessel." This means it helped clear away sunken ships or other obstacles in the water.
HMS Maria served the Royal Navy until 1950. In June 1951, the ship was sold and taken apart for scrap metal.
