SAILOR CAP GREAT EASTERN ARCONA Ernst Commodore Rolin was a veteran captain of the German Merchant Marine deeply in love with the island of Tenerife and its people. Transit through the island of the Canaries never went unnoticed, but if commanded a ship on its maiden voyage, which was the case of Cap Arcona in 1927 (1). In his first trip this German linesman did not plan to enter the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but that did not affect felt by Rolin devotion to his beloved island, as close as possible to enter from the north coast, turned on all the lights, flares and fireworks launched and sent an affectionate greeting to the authorities of the island-President the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife was D. Francisco La-Roche (2) - across the board radio to passing it to the public. In those days, the escapades Commodore Rolin never could have imagined the final dreadful fate had reserved the elegant German liner Cap Arcona.
order not to confuse us, we must first recall that in the early twentieth century there was another Cap Arcona. Specifically, in 1907 was delivered to the shipping company Hamburg-Südamerikanischen Dampfschiffahrts Gesellschaft (better known as the Hamburg-Süd) a vessel of the same name, 9,832 tons, which together with the 9467 CAP VILANO tons that had entered service a year earlier (both built in German shipyards Blohm & Voss), joined the Silver Line. After the First World War German fleet was divided between the victors and the Cap Arcona was awarded to France in 1919 as compensation for war damage, it changed its name to Angers. Maritimes Messageries Company were sold to its line of Far East, connecting Marseille Indochina. In 1938 she was decommissioned and sold for scrapping in La Seyne. On April 24, 1939 caught fire while being dismantled. It sank and charred, but in shallow water, leading to continued the dismantling work.
In the second half of the twenties, the Hamburg-Süd shipping company and recovered from the ravages of World War I in which he lost almost all of its fleet (3), again from the ashes (to 1921 remained in service with only three schooners) and initiated the investment needed to recover the prestige that had characterized them until the outbreak of war. After commissioning the spacecraft in the series "Monte" (MONTESARMIENTO, Monteolivos, etc.) And passenger ships CAP POLAND, SPAIN, La Coruna, and CAP NORTE ANTONIO DELFINO among others, from 1922 began expanding cargo fleet construction of new vessels for the transport of goods, as were the Entreri, Vigo and Tenerife (as can be seen, linking Hamburg-Süd with Spain was evident).
The renowned and historical German Blom und Voss shipyard in Hamburg were the birthplace of our hero today, the new Cap Arcona. There stands in their way was taking a linesman of 27,561 GRT, 166 m. length, 26 meters wide and 12 m in depth. Your power plant consisted of eight sets of steam turbines single reduction that generated an output of 28,000 horse strong enough to breathe her two propellers and thus achieve an average speed of 20 knots. She was launched on Saturday May 14, 1927. Her forecastle of 7.5 meters high and long superstructure topped by three stylized chimneys, completed an elegant and harmonious picture sailor contributing to its attractive round stern or "cruise" and the choice of colors: black hull superstructure and white chimneys, and the latter finished off their upper ends in striking red.
The interior showed great luxury with rich woods, marble and gold and bronze accessories. It had capacity for 1,315 passengers (575 first, 275 second and 465 third class). Care to passengers in first is reflected both in the comfort of cabins (two most places) and the caresses of the crew, serve as an example the main dining room for up to six hundred guests attended by seventy-three maitres waiters (one for breakfast, one lunch and one for dinner.) He had a long walk and just cover the bottom of the third fireplace, transom, was prepared tennis court for regulatory measures. Available pool, cinema and four lifts. The area for migrants was more humble. Security also was present with eight lifeboats on davits hanging band and painted mahogany. No wonder it cost around a million pounds at the time.
Its construction was completed on 29 October of that year, and on November 19 following sailed into the port of Hamburg to Buenos Aires on its maiden voyage under the command of Commodore Rolin, starring in both transatlantic and captain anecdote told at the beginning of this story, which took place on 24 November. Twelve days after setting sail on December 1, arrived in Rio de Janeiro, and three days later, on December 4, arrived at Rio de la Plata. Imposed on the Navigazione Generale Italian and French Atlantique Sud, until that time the shipping with faster vessels on that route.
The January 17, 1928 was the first stop in Tenerife, was a major event for the city of Santa Cruz. It was one of the largest ocean liners docked in its harbor and also because he had seen two months before anything could have happened near Mr. Rolin. Not long after writing FRANCE coincide with the two vessels one of the most spectacular pictures has been featured in the port of Santa Cruz. That day of January, the Cap Arcona tied at seven in the morning and before leaving at eight in the evening, several groups of passengers had the opportunity to make excursions to explore the island.
passed and seafaring life alternate their trips online with cruise ships where passenger demand down to South America, not to suffer an accident worth mentioning. Began to be known as the "Queen of the South Atlantic as it was the largest ocean liner and one of the most luxurious I did that route. His last stay in Tenerife took place in May 1939.
not really know what his activities during World War II except that sometimes as a troop transport sailed for the Baltic, but yes you could note that it was used as set for the filming of a German version of the tragedy of the Titanic. It was a Nazi propaganda film shot in 1942 and directed by Herbert Selpin. Paradoxically, the director was arrested during filming for statements on the Wehrmacht which were interpreted as inappropriate. He finished filming Robert Klinger.
In late April 1945 was needed to evacuate more than 200,000 German soldiers, the balance had tilted in favor of the Allies and Germany burned their last cartridges (4). Several boats were able to move troops and next to Cap Arcona DEUTSCHLAND than 21,000 GRT made it to Lübeck. The port was being attacked by the RAF, so the captains decided to bow to Travemunde to be anchored until the situation improved, ie wait until you finish allies Lübeck and delivered to them. However, the next day the "Flying Fortresses" came to bomb getting sink both cruises. All its occupants died just a few hours before the signing of the peace.
That was at least the official version. But the world is a very small house knowing where everything is finished.
Although a different theory says when the Allies were already reducing the area of \u200b\u200bthe Nazis, they, knowing what was awaiting them, they decided to hide the atrocities they had committed for so long. Had to eliminate the existence of concentration camps and any witness. So they took the prisoners of the camps and went to Lübeck to upload to vessels would be sunk by submarines with them in it was a quick way to get rid of the bodies. The Cap Arcona was one of the elect, went from being the pride of the Nazi's grave to become his enemies. In those days there were also the cargo and Athena Thielbek DEUTCHSLAND addition. The shipment began on 20 April. ATHENA was forced, under threat of death to their captain, to move several thousand deported to the Cap Arcona which was anchored about two and a half miles from the coast, whose captain, Heinrich Bertram, he understood that this was the final his ship, his fate had already been sentenced. In total, 6,500 prisoners were on board and 600 SS guards.
On May 3, 1945 Rumbold England captain ordered the attack began. All vessels present in the Bay of Lübeck were shot and bombed by the fighter. Were of no white flags and the number of people plunged into the water where it probably could distinguish their status as prisoners.
air after the severe punishment, the Cap Arcona began to heel, the forced passengers fell into the water without any protection, life jackets and anything that had served to stay afloat had been disabled (the target was sinking at sea with the prisoners inside.) The unfortunate who made it ashore were the victims of the bullets of German soldiers. Some lucky few were saved thanks to the generosity of the fishermen who collected them. The other boats suffered the same fate.
respect to victims prevents us elaborate on the details macabre tragedy, suffice it to say that until 1971 skeletal remains were arriving on the beaches of the area.
allies celebrated the end of the war and the winners were, history has written on its pages penalties to which they were convicted of losers, but has hidden this unfortunate episode that minimum can be described as embarrassing. Nobody called "war criminals" for the monsters who perpetrated so great carnage. Today the excuse does not work regarding the attack on an allied aircraft a few hours before all hell broke loose. Argued that the plane was flying at ten thousand feet and therefore could not see the situation vessels, but noted the attack. Curious. And another question, the secret services were running at full speed in those days, and yet the news was not so many people walking down those roads guarded by Nazi soldiers with little delicacy that always characterized them. In the XXI century and nobody believes that the allied commanders were unaware of the nature of the operation of "cleaning" of the prison camps.
absolutely certain and true thing is that today there are thousands of corpses deposited in the huge mass grave was opened to bury all human remains floating on the Baltic coast. We will never know the exact number of victims but we do know that they belonged at least twenty-eight different nationalities and killed by "friendly fire." They
divers who descend to the area, eighteen meters long, one can hardly identify an amorphous mess. Some remains visible in the bottom left traces of what happened so long ago. But most striking is the absence of life as if Nature refuses to forget and leave forget that this was a place of unimaginable horror for the victims and the rest of humanity ...
was not this the end that it would have deserved such a magnificent ship, proud, had walked the luxury and elegance by the waters of the Atlantic, left their mark in the ports had docked and created good memories in those who traveled in her womb.
Rest in peace, Cap Arcona.
and Coral
© Ramiro Gonzalez. ____________________________
(1) .- There is evidence that, as in 1922, Commodore Rolin had visited the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in command of the German flag vapor CAP POLONIUS of 22,000 tons, in command of the vessel of which also made the first crossing between Buenos Aires and the Soviet Union, becoming a very popular character among Passengers (Brazil and Argentina) because of its excellent professional qualification for the fineness and kindness he gave to any person with whom he dealt.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has honored the memory of this singular character giving the name of a city street.
(2) .- D. Francis of Assisi La-Roche, and Aguilar (1886-1948), having been mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife between 1924 and 1925, he was President of the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife in two different stages, from 1927 to 1930 and from 1939 to 1943. He was also Chairman of the Board of Works in the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife from 1938 to 1948, under whose mandate is carried out considerable work to extend port infrastructure between 1942 and 1947.
The city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has sought to distinguish his memory by giving his name to the main promenade of the city, being a promoter of it.
(3) .- At the time of the outbreak of World War I, the Hamburg-Süd had 56 ocean liners in service, totaling over 325,000 gross registered tons.
(4) .- For an overview of the final moments of the war in Germany, we refer briefly the chronology of war for the last days of April 1945:
23 April, Hamburg is occupied by the Allies, while the Soviets entering Bohemia. The next day, some districts of Berlin occupied by the Soviet army. The city is about to be surrounded. Day 25, Berlin is completely surrounded. During the next day the capital is subjected to severe shelling by the Soviet army, after which begins the fighting house to house. On day 27, after the collapse of German resistance, gaining just the capital airport of Tempelhof. The next day the Canadian Army took possession of the naval base Wilhemlshaven. On 29 Soviet artillery fire is aimed at Chancery building, ending with the surrender of the defenders of the Reichstag. The next day, Hitler committed suicide with his wife and Eva Braun.
