tug PINGUIN

[Aris]

According to Van Damme's TugList mentions the following regarding the tug PINGUIN:

PINGUIN
1 scr, steam, 300ihp
19xx: Built by ??
19xx: delivered to ??
owned by W. de Ridder (NLD)
194x: requisitioned by the German Kriegsmarine, stationed in the Mediterranian
1944 -xx/09: sank

The Greek Navy salvaged in late-44/early-45 the tug TITAN ex-PINGUIN at Salamis Naval Base.
Can anyone provide any additional information on her story or how and wehn PINGUIN came to Greece?

[davidships]

Hi Aris
One of "Piet's little puzzles". The skeletal entry and lack of source, suggests that it has appeared on a list somewhere, and perhaps has some confusion with the 1941 motor tug ALBATROS II/PINGUIN which was defnitely owned by W de Ridder. But it seem very unlikely that the Germans would take a small steam tug of 300ihp (probably +/- 35m length) all the way to Greece for harbour use.

However, I have a note that a tug TITAN was built at the Salamis Navy Yard in 1937, though somewhat larger at 220grt. Apparently "destroyed 1944". Could that be what was raised at Salamis?
It is mentioned also here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_d ... y#Tugboats

K1 Titan I (88), built in Salamis naval shipyard in 1937 and destroyed in 1944

[Aris]

Hi David

The 1937-built TITAN was built for the Greek Navy and felt in the hands of the Kriegsmarine in 1941. She is most probably the TITAN that was sunk off Monemvasia in 1944.
Some Greek sources are mistaking the TITAN sunk off Monemvasia with the namesake civilian tug owned by the Corinth Canal Co. However that one survived the war for sure.

The tug TITAN that was salvaged in Salamis in late-1944 was mentioned as "ex PINGUIN" which is a most unusual name for a Greek vessel. She must have come from somewhere abroad. Note that many small German vessels such as lighters, barges, coasters, etc sought refugee from the Black Sea to the Aegean in 1944 in order to avoid capture by the Soviets. Theoretically, it is also possible that she was an ex-Italian vessel seized after September 1943.

[napy]

About the ex Italian tugs captured in Pireus, we have for sure ARDENZA, SANT'ELIA and maybe PORTO SALVO, all belonging to Regia Marina and all with fate unknown.

Best regards

Marco

[Aris]

Hi Marco

ARDENZA was scuttled in Salonica in October 1944 by the Germans. I have read relative postwar correspondence between the salvage firm and a scrap merchant.