Herman the German (crane vessel)

Herman the German was a large floating crane vessel, originally constructed in Germany during World War II for the Kriegsmarine. Its primary function was to assemble U-boats in sheltered waters, avoiding Allied air attacks. Post-war, it was seized as a war prize and acquired by the United States Navy.

The vessel played a crucial role in the reconstruction of naval facilities at Pearl Harbor after the attack in 1941, lifting and positioning heavy equipment and wreckage. It was subsequently used in various heavy lifting projects for the Navy throughout the Pacific.

Herman the German's size and lifting capacity were significant for its time, making it a valuable asset for large-scale construction and salvage operations. Details of its ultimate fate (whether it was scrapped, sunk, or repurposed) are sometimes contradictory in available sources, although the name "Herman the German" is consistently associated with its origin and Pearl Harbor service.