Built as a cargo vessel under yard No 222 by the Deutsche Werft, Hamburg for the Hamburg America Line.
21 March 1939 launched under the name ANTILLA.
Tonnage 4.364 gross, 2.164 net. Dim. 121.41 x 16.97 x 6.93m.
Two steam turbines connected to one electric motor, manufactured by the Allgemeine Elec. Ges., Berlin, ?hp., single shaft, speed 15 knots.
Accommodation for 12 passengers.
Crew 47.
11 July 1939 completed.
Used in the service in the Caribbean.
When war broke out between the Netherlands and Germany on 10 May 1940 and Germany invaded the Low Countries the ANTILLA was off Aruba, Netherlands Antilles at anchor.
Still a new vessel, Capt Schmidt gave orders to scuttle the vessel when news reached the vessel of the invasion in the Netherlands. When the crew left the vessel several explosions ripped holes in the hull of the ANTILLA causing her to sink in the shallow waters of Aruba.
Captain Schmidt and his crew were taken prisoners and transported to a POW camp in Bonaire.
Nowadays she is the largest shipwreck on Aruba, her masts and funnel still emerging from the water.
Aruba 2007 500c sg?, scott 304c
Aruba 2012 100c sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz Merchant Fleets in profile Vol. 4 by Duncan Haws.
Some web-sites.