"Vesta" - what type of ship...

[Rick White]

Can someone help with this photo? Was there a ship named "Vesta" used by the Kriegsmarine? If so what type was it? Also, can anyone identify the Kapitan pictureed here?

The reverse of the photo is below...

Thanks,

Rick

[Rick White]

reverse

[Ian Jewison]

There was the "Vesta" built by Deutsche Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft Neptun, Bremen in 1920. In August 1944 it was sunk in an airaid in Bremen. After the war it was raised and in commercial service.

I will check my books later as to what unit it belonged to etc.

/Ian

[Ian Jewison]

There's a few!:

Vesta (built 27.5.22) as a motor trawler (Fischerie Motorschiff). 17.4.40 under Sperrkdt. Kiel. 20.6.40 renamed H 210. 29.5.41 to Wachfl. Warnemünde. 1.6.42 renamed DWo 142. 1.10.43 Vs 185. 1.1.44 Vs 155.

Vesta (built 1934) Dutch minesweeper. 17.8.1943 renamed DB 07.

HF 234 Vesta (build 1902) as motor fishing cutter. 10.8.40 used for operation Seelöwe!, 21.10.40 renamed HS190, 1.8.42 FC 38. Sunk 18.8.44 St. Malo.

Take yer pick!

/Ian

[Rick Research]

I find no Kapitän zur See Hauptmann. There was a Kapitänleutnant Hauptmann, birthday 5 January 1XXX, wife Asta born 1.8.1XXX, in the 1.1.39 Naval Birthday Book-- I find HIM nowhere: 1937 & 1944 Seniority Lists, not a WW1 naval officer, not a member of the interwar Naval Officers Asociation (MOV).

[Rick White]

Thanks Ian and Rick,

Do you think that it would be the second ship you mentioned, Ian, since the sailor who is shaking hands with the Kapitan is wearing a Minesweeper Badge?

Rick

[Ian Jewison]

Hi Rick,
Possibly but if he was on Sperrbecher, Minensuch or Fischdampfer and completed the required days for the award he would have had the Minesweepers badge anyway! Even Vorposten!!!
I have schematics of all the ships mentioned and was looking for ones with a small mast and that type of rigging/ladder seen...however they all have much the same!!!
I will post them later anyway for perusal........

/Ian

[Rick White]

Thanks Ian,

There are a few photos with ship profiles in this lot. I will post them, as well.

Appreciate the help!

Rick

[Rick White]

Here are the two photos of ships in the lot...

[Ian Jewison]

Hi Rick,

Unfortunately the Vesta's do not match the photos you posted......maybe this is the Vesta or maybe it is just another photo in the album!
However, the nearest match I could find is that of the Schlesien Minesweeper. Built 9.7.1936, 12.10.39 became M 1206, 1.11.42 M 4624. Sunk 23.6.1944 west of St. Helier by shell fire from a British motor gun boat.

/Ian