SS Iserlohn (1909)

The SS Iserlohn was a German cargo steamship built in 1909 by Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack. She was owned by the North German Lloyd shipping company. The ship's primary function was transporting cargo, primarily between Germany and the Far East.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Iserlohn was in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). To avoid capture by Allied forces, the ship attempted to return to Germany. It successfully broke through the Allied blockade, carrying a valuable cargo of strategic materials including rubber, tin, tungsten, and quinine. This successful blockade run made the Iserlohn a noteworthy vessel during the early stages of the war.

The Iserlohn arrived back in Germany in late 1939. The materials she carried were crucial to the German war effort, providing essential supplies needed for manufacturing and military operations. The ship was subsequently requisitioned for naval service and used in various capacities throughout the war.

The ultimate fate of the SS Iserlohn is not definitively known. However, historical records suggest it was either sunk during an Allied bombing raid, scuttled to avoid capture, or possibly damaged beyond repair and decommissioned. Further research is needed to determine the exact circumstances of its loss.