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At random: The USS NAUTILUS SSN 571 made history by cruising submerged from the pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, passing under the North Pole at 11:15 p.m. EDST on August 3, 1958.
The three worst maritime tragedies in history.
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whalen
Posted 2017-07-04 8:08 PM (#84363)


Great Sage of the Sea

Posts: 606

Location: Citrus County FL		Subject: The three worst maritime tragedies in history.

I got this from axishistory.com

The sinking of the "General Steuben" was one of a trio of German evacuation ships sunk by Soviet submarines in 1945. The three top the list of the worst maritime tragedies in history. 

On 30 January 1945, the Soviet submarine "S 13" commanded by Captain Third Rank Alexander Marinesko sank the German liner "Wilhelm Gustloff" west of the Gulf of Danzig. Conflicting sources state that of the 6,050 to 10,582 wounded soldiers and refugees aboard the Gustloff, only 1,239 were rescued. 

On 10 February 1945, Marinesko also sank the hospital ship "General Steuben" with two torpedoes in the same general vicinity. The ship was carrying as many as 5,000 wounded soldiers and refugees of which 3,500 lost their lives. 

On 16 April 1945, the Soviet submarine "L 3" commanded by Captain Third Rank Vladimir K. Konovalov sank the German liner "Goya" with two torpedoes. Of the estimated 7,000 wounded soldiers and refugees aboard, only 183 survived. 


Edited by whalen 2017-07-04 8:12 PM
Sewer Pipe Snipe
Posted 2017-07-04 11:39 PM (#84364 - in reply to #84363)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1796

Location: Albany, GA.		Subject: RE: The three worst maritime tragedies in history.

The cold water probably had a lot to do with the numbers, as did the possible lack of rescue craft. Can't help but wonder if they were marked as Hospital Ships, and sunk anyway in the tradition of the Russian's not taking any German prisoners near the end.

rover177
Posted 2017-07-05 2:09 PM (#84365 - in reply to #84363)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1576

Location: Wollongong, NSW		Subject: RE: The three worst maritime tragedies in history.

Wilhelm Gustloff was not marked. The ship (and others) would not only carry refugees and wounded but active soldiers as well. This is well documented. Marked Hospital ships also carried active soldiers - Germany made the mistake of being caught and therefore all hospital ships became legitimate targets.
Thomas Courtien
Posted 2017-07-06 4:04 AM (#84371 - in reply to #84363)
Master and Commander

Posts: 1890

Location: Patterson, New York 		Subject: RE: The three worst maritime tragedies in history.

I had the read the Wilhelm Gustloff story once; the other two are new to me. Thanks for the names, I can look them up.

Sinking a hospital ship is the least outrageous act committed by the Soviets as they marched to Berlin.

The Germans made the mistake of putting a stick in a hornets nest when they decided to attack the Soviets.



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