The SS Lina Fisser was a German cargo steamship with a notable history during the early stages of World War II, particularly known for its role in the Battle of Narvik.
History
- Construction and Early Service: Built in 1928 by Neptun Werft, Rostock, Germany, the ship was originally named SS Schwan and served the Norddeutscher Lloyd shipping company.
- Acquisition by Fisser & v. Doornum: In 1938, the vessel was purchased by the Hamburg-based shipping company Fisser & v. Doornum and subsequently renamed SS Lina Fisser.
- World War II and Narvik:
- In April 1940, during [[Operation Weserübung]], the German invasion of Norway, Lina Fisser was one of several German merchant ships deployed to support the invading forces. It was laden with iron ore, a crucial commodity for the German war effort.
- The ship arrived in Narvik on April 9, 1940.
- On April 10, 1940, during the [[First Battle of Narvik]], the ship was scuttled by its own crew to prevent its capture by attacking British naval forces, specifically destroyers of the [[Royal Navy]] under the command of [[Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee]]. The scuttling was also intended to create an obstruction in the harbour.
- Wreck: The wreck of the Lina Fisser lies in the harbour of Narvik and remains a popular site for recreational diving, serving as a poignant reminder of the fierce naval battles fought there.
Specifications
- Type: Cargo steamship
- Gross Register Tonnage (GRT): Approximately 1,489 GRT
- Length: 79.2 meters (259.8 ft)
- Beam: 12.3 meters (40.4 ft)
- Builder: Neptun Werft, Rostock, Germany
- Launched: 1928
- Fate: Scuttled on April 10, 1940, in Narvik harbour.
[[Category:Ships of Germany]] [[Category:Merchant ships of World War II]] [[Category:Shipwrecks of Norway]] [[Category:Narvik]] [[Category:1928 ships]]