Flag of the shipping company

Heraldic Figure of  Emden

Building of the shipping company Johs. Fritzen until 1945 in Stettin, Bollwerk 1
and shipping company W. Kunstmann until 1936 in Stettin, Bollwerk 1a
and the shipping company Emil R. Retzlaff until 1932 in Stettin, Bollwerk 1b
(PDF-Link to the Retzlaff-Site)

"Neptunhaus" Am Delft 34, Emden
Destination for many sailors for
several generations. Teared down 2009

Link to Foto-Archive of the Fritzen Ships 1945 - 1979

Remarks:
In this website, you will find two Fritzen Archives, which include the first vessels from creation of the Fritzen shipping company until 1945, but also the vessels serving during the time between 1945 and 1979.
What initiated this extensive research and documentation?
I have sailed as Radio Officer on Fritzen vessels for some years before I have changed “sides” and served as Radio Operator at “Radio Norddeich” for the worldwide fleet.
It is not surprising that the wish to develop and offer this information about these vessels on the Internet arise. This initiated the website for the Fritzen vessels serving from 1945 until 1979.
Hans-Jürgen Hollstein from Geneva in Switzerland by E-mail has contacted me with the recommendation to present documentation of the entire Fritzen fleet.
A number of ex-Fritzen Seafarers will remember Hans-Jürgen Hollstein. He served as junior until he became chief engineer within this company. He was then working for Cargill International Group as superintendent and technical director in Geneva and Hong Kong from 1974 until his retirement.
At first, I was reluctant, but later I agreed to his proposal. I have to admit that without his help this project would not have developed. Not only did he provide the technical information but also the extensive ship photo materials. For a number of vessels, no photos could be retrieved but via the ship building yards, the sister vessels have been identified and the photos traced.
Further extensive information from following books have been retrieved:
Gert Uwe Detlefsen, “Deutsche Reedereien, Band 12”
Reinhardt Schmelzkopf, „Die deutsche Handelsschiffahrt 1919 -1939 (Band 1 + 2)“
Ludwig Dinklage, „Die deutsche Handelsflotte 1939 -1945 (Band 1 + 2)“
Heinz Schön, „Flucht über die Ostsee 1944/45 im Bild“
„Foto-Flite“ / UK provided photos of the latest Fritzen vessels with their particular permission to publish these photos in the Internet.

Have fun by screening these archives. You will certainly find your Fritzen vessel as well.

Comments, recommendations, or any unpublished ship photos or qualified critics are most welcome.

    HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN  (1)

IMO 5601936

HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN  (2)

IMO 1123165

            Call sign: DFZK,  DWT 6.00 LPP 101,41m, B 14,66m, Draft 8,31
1 triple-expansion-engine 1.400 HP, 10 Kts
Ship yard Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Newcastle/GB
02.1902 in service as Norwegian TANCRED,
02.1922 sold as HAGEN to Emil Retzlaff, Stettin,
1924 renamed to HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN, 2.1933 laid up in Emden,
April 1934 broken up at Bremer Vulcan AG, Germany

Call sign: DAXP, DWT 8600, LPP 115,36m, B 16,07m; draft 9,25m
1 triple-expansion-engine 1.800 HS, ship yard: Richardson, Duck & Co. Stockton/GB
 August 1906 in service as PICTON for E. Thomas, Radcliffe & Co. in Cardiff,
1927 renamed to SEVEN SEAS TRANSPORT.
 March 1929 sold as HEINZ. W. KUNSTMANN to Wilhelm Kunstmann, Stettin.
January 1939 renamed to HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN.
  10.26.1941 stranded near Hoek van Holland, broken up.

HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN  (3)

IMO 1129066

KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN (1)

IMO 5602146

Call sign: DYBL, DWT 7.100, LPP 110,19m B 15,60m, draft 6,55m, 11 Kts
1 triple-expansion-engine 1.600 HP from Central Marine Engine Works, West Hartlepool/GB
Januayr 1910 as RACHEL to Rachel Steamship Co. Ltd. London,
1918 renamed to GRELARLIE, 1924 as Greek  PERAKIS L. CAMBANIS.
3.6.1940 after German air attack scuttled by crew.
1942 raised and in service as German HERTA ENGELINE FRITZEN.
4.6.1945 sunk heavily damaged in Kiel-Canal.
 April 1949  broken up in Boom/Belgium

 DWT 6.000, LPP 101,85m B 14,67m draft 8,52m,10 Kts
1 triple-expansion-engine 1.600 HP,  ship yard North Eastern Marine Co. Ltd. Sunderland/GBR
14.11.1903 in service as Norwegian TORDENSKJOLD,
2.12.1922 as HUNDING for  Emil Retzlaff, Stettin.
1924 als KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN.
2.1.1925 stranded near Skudesnes/Norway, total loss.
 

KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN (2)

IMO  5602132

KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN (3)

IMO  1139168

 DWT 6,115; Draft: 7.74m;  LPP: 103.6m;  Beam  14.63m
1 triple-expansion-engine  1,600 BHP
  Ship yard Sunderland SB Co., Hull 218;  
In service 09.03.1903 as Norwegian „SARK“.
  1923  renamed to „RADBOD“ for Emder Dampfer Kompagnie Nübel & Fritzen AG, Emden
  1925 renamed to „KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN  “ for AG für Handel und Verkehr, Emden
  29.01.1933 broken up in Kiel, Deutsche Werft AG

   DWT 12,350; Draft: 10.67m;  LPP: 138.66m;  Beam 17.98m, call sign DAYU
 1 triple-expansion-engine   3,500 BHP
   Ship yard W. Doxford & Sons, Pallion/GB,  Hull  475; 
In service 11.1916 as „DAGHILD“ for Denmark,
   1937  renamed as „KATHARINA DOROTHEA FRITZEN“ for W.Kunstmann, Stettin
   05.06.42 sunk by mines near isle of Langeoog / German Bight

ERIKA FRITZEN (1)

IMO  1122838

   DWT 7,213; Draft: 7.32m;  LPP: 106.83m;  Beam  15.57m, call sign: DGAN
1 triple-expansion-engine  1,550 BHP
   Ship yard W. Doxford & Sons/GB., Hull  351;  
01.1906 in service as „RYTON“ for GB,
   1913  renamed to „HOGLAND“ for Sweden, 
   1924 renamed to „DAMPFEM“; for Norway;
   1926 in service as „ERIKA FRITZEN  “ for " AG für Handel & Verkehr"., Emden
   1939  in service as „ERIKA FRITZEN  “ for "Johs.Fritzen & Sohn", Emden
   26.02.45 sunk by mines of  the RAF in  54.23N 11.59 E

     DWT 7,600; Draft: 7.01m;  LPP: 124.14m;  Beam  16.03m, call sign DGZV
 1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,800 BHP
  Ship yard: Howaldtswerke, Kiel., Hull  377;   04.1901 as „DROTTNING SOPHIA“ in service for Sweden
   1921  renamed to  „HUGO STINNES 7“; for AG Hugo Stinnes, Hamburg 
   1918  renamed to„ LUCANIA“, in service for Italy
   1929 renamed to „EMSLAND“  for AG für Handel und Verkehr, Emden
   1923 in service for Kauffartei AG, Hamburg
   1929  in service for Kauffartei Seereederei Adolf Wiards & Co., Hamburg
   20.01.1944 hit by air torpedo and stranded near Stadlandet,
   05.02.1944  hit by submarine torpedo and sunk 11.02.1944 after air attack

               DWT  6,130; Draft: 7.23m;  LPP: 100.64m;  Beam  14.28m call sign DESI
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,500 BHP
   Ship yard: Robert Craggs, Dent`s Wharf/GB., Hull  170; 
10.1901 in service as „BARENDRECHT“ for the Netherlands,
   1914 renamed to „SOPHIA“; in service for Greece
   1915 renamed to „GLITTERTIND“, in service for Norway
   1923 renamed to „VICTOR  SCHUPPE“ for V. Schuppe, Stettin
   1924 renamed to „BRAGA“ for Seereederei Frigga, Hamburg
   1929  renamed to „EMSRIFF“ for AG für Handel und Verkehr, Emden
   09.33 broken up in Kiel, Deutsche Werke AG

EMSHÖRN

IMO  1104567

EMSSTROM

 IMO  3003593

     DWT  5,700; Draft: 8.27m;  LPP: 104.75m;  Beam  13.15m
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,200 BHP
   Ship yard: Barclay, Curle & Co, Whiteinch/GB, Hull  391;  
09.1894  in service as „YANARIVA“ for GB.
   1911  renamed to „CROWN OF LEON“; GBR, 
   1918  renamed to„LUCANIA“, Italy; 
   1923 renamed to „DESI for. Stange & Dreyer / Germany,
   1923  renamed to „EMSRIFF“ für Stange & Dreyer,
   1929 renamed to „EMSHÖRN“ for Johs. Fritzen, Stettin/Germany
   02.1933 broken up in Emden,

 DWT  6,400; Draft: 6.55m;  LPP: 118.81m;  Beam  16.00m, call sign: DGCU
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,800 BHP
   Ship yard: Howaldtswerke, Kiel., Hull  326;  
3.1900  in service as „OSCAR FREDRIK“ for A. A. Johnson,
   1922  renamed to „FRITZ HUGO STINNES 5“; für  Hugo Stinnes /Germany, 
   1929  renamed to  „EMSSTROM“ for Lexzau Scharbau & Co., Stettin/Germany
   16.02.1945 hit by air craftTorpedo near Brusterort and strandet.

 

  DWT 8,100; Draft: 8.05m;  LPP: 118.70m;  Beam  16.30m, call sign: DBAF
  1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,800 BHP
   Ship yard: Richardson Duck, Thomaby/GB, Hull  644;
02.1915 in service as „DORINGTON COURT“
   1937 renamed to „LALEHAM“ for  Alpha SS Co. GBR
   1939 renamed to „HARM FRITZEN  “ for  Johs.Fritzen & Sohn, Emden
12.2.1944 grounded near Haugesund/Norway,
17.3.1944 salvaged and repaired in Copenhagen/Denmark
   01.03.48 sunk with gas ammunition at 47.55N 08.58W by GB

 DWT 7,350; Draft: 7.56m; LPP: 125.0m; Beam  16.55m, call sign:  DBAG
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,800 BHP
   Ship yard: Rodger & Co. Port Glasgow/GB Febr. 1912, Hull  416;
02.1912 in service as „BARON JEDBURGH“ for GB,
  1930 renamed to „IOANNIS VATIS“;
1937 renamed to „PECKHAM“;
  1939 renamed to „JÜRGEN FRITZEN“ für Johs.Fritzen & Sohn, Stettin
  21.04.1940 sunk 1,5 nm east of Landsort near Stockholm
 

    DWT: 4,600;  Draft: 6.31m; LPP: 95.71m; Beam: 14.17m; call sign:  DBBG
  1 triple-expansion-engine,  279 BHP
  Ship yard: J.Blumer, North Dock/GB; Hull  170;  
1.1903  in service as „MAGARITA“ for GB
  1922 with the same name for GBR;
1936 renamed to „TILDA“ for Finland;
  1942 in service for Johs.Fritzen &Sohn / GER,  renamed to „ANNETTE FRITZEN“
  1945 handled over to the Japanese Government;
6.07.45 sunk by mines near  Pusan/Korea at 35N 128E

     DWT 8,700; Draft: 7.89m;  LPP: 111.25m;  Beam  15.54m, call sign:  DBAE
    1 triple-expansion-engine, 1.450 BHP
   Ship yard: Pickersgill, Southwick/GB. Hull  188; 
07.1916  in service as „MAPLEMORE“ for GB,
   1922 renamed to „GIBRALTAR“; GBR, 
   1938  renamed to „MEOPHAM“ for GBR; 
   1939 renamed to „ANTJE FRITZEN  “ for Johs.Fritzen & Sohn, Emden
   21.09.43 sunk by soviet attacks on the way to Kirkenes/Norway

     DWT 7,580; Draft: 7.86m;  LPP: 111.13m;  Beam  15.66m,call sign  DAZI
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,800 BHP
 Ship yard: Irvines Shipbuilding, West Hartlepool/GB., Hull  493; 
08.1910  in service as „LINGFIELD“ for GB,
   1929 renamed to „CHATAM“; GBR, 
   1931 renamed to „STAR OF CAIRO“ for Egypt;  
1931 renamed to „AYLSHAM“ ;
   1938  renamed to „GERRIT FRITZEN  “ for  W. Kunstmann, Emden
   23.11.1939 stranded near Hubertgat (German Bight), total loss
26.1.1940 broken up

     DWT  2450; Draft: 4,78 m;  LPP: 77.90m;  Beam  12..20m, call sign  DGOU
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 914   BHP
  Ship yard:  Ouse,Hook/GB, Hull  80;  
06. 1922  in service as „TERNE“ for Denmark
   1923 renamed to „SEVEROLES“;
1939 renamed to  „BOHUS“; 
   1940 renamed to „GERRIT FRITZEN  “ in service for German Government
   12.03.45 sunk by air attacks of soviet marine air force near Rixhöft 
 

      DWT 10,750; Draft: 10.52m;  LPP: 125.70m;  Beam  17.01m,call sign  DOOR
   2  steam-driven engines with gear, 676 BHP
   Ship yard: Monmouth, Chepstow/GB, Hull  372; 
11.1920  in service as „FIUME“ for Italy
   1920 renamed to „WAR GENIUS“; GB, 
   1926 renamed to „TAIFUN“ for Kauffahrtei AG, Bremen; 
   1938  renamed to„CARL FRITZEN  “ for Lexzau Scharbau & Co, Emden
  1.1.1939  as „CARL FRITZEN  “ for Johs.Fritzen & Sohn., Emden
   04.09.39  sunk by the British light cruiser  "Achilles"
near the estuary of the river La Plata at 34.19S 48.29W.
(The crew was saved in their life boats)

   DWT  4,650; Draft: 6.49m;  LPP: 96.49m;  Beam 13.760m, call sign  DAQC
  1 triple-expansion-engine, 950 BHP
   Ship yard: Vulcan-Werke, Hamburg, Hull  685; 
 November 1922  in service as „WILHELM KUNSTMANN“ for W. Kunstmann Stettin/Germany,
   January 1938 renamed to „KLAUS FRITZEN“ for W. Kunstmann, Emden
1940 to Johs. Fritzen & Sohn, Stettin
   04.05.1942 sunk by British bomb attack at Maaloy-Roads  near Bergen.




 

    
IMO  3003999 

DWT 850; Draft: 3.44m; LPP: 40.46m; Beam 8.58m, call sign  DCKZ
  Steam Engine: 330 BHP
  Ship yard: Helsingborgs Varfd/Sweden,  Hull 25;  
April1902  in service as „FALSTER“ for Sweden,
  1923 renamed to „LARGO“ für SWE;
1939 renamed to „EGON“ for Estonia;
  1942  renamed to „JÜRGEN FRITZEN“ for Johs.Fritzen & Sohn, Stettin
May 1945 in use to evacuate the people of East Germany
Damaged in Flensburg and laid up..
  16.06.1952 broken up in Emden

DWT 5014; Draft: 6.06m;  LPP: 100.64m;  Beam  14.51m, call sign  DGLR
   1 triple-expansion-engine 1,200 BHP
    Ship yard: Gray, Hartlepool/GB, Hull  694;  
1.1905  in service as „LEANDER“ for GB,
   1918 renamed to  „SHEAF DART“ GBR, 
   1929 renamed to  „VIGOR“ for Sweden
   1937 umbenannt in „OSTFRIESLAND“ für  Lexzau, Scharbau & Co., Emden
   1939  renamed to  „THEDA FRITZEN  “ for Johs.Fritzen & Sohn, Emden
   17.11.45  sunk with gas ammunition at Jutland by GB

    DWT 10,300; Draft: 8.01m;  LPP: 127.84m;  Beam  17.28m, call sign  DAZG
  1 triple-expansion-engine, 2,400 BHP
   Ship yard: Ropner, Stockton/GB, Hull  486; 
04.1914 in service as „GREAT CITY“ for GB,
   1936 renamed to „RICHMOND HILL“; GBR, 
   1937renamed to „ADAMASTOS“ for Greece; 
   1937 renamed to „DORA FRITZEN  “ for W. Kunstmann, Stettin
   06.01.45 sunk by torpedos of the Norwegian "MTB722" in the Stavfjord/Norway

          DWT  10,750; Draft: 10.45m;  LPP: 125.70m;  Beam 17.00m, call sign  DOIW
   Steam engine, 2,900 BHP
   Ship yard: Monmouth, Chepstow/GB, Hull  369; 
17.07.1920 in service as „SILE“ for Italy,
   1920  renamed to „WAR ILIAD“ for GBR, 
   1926 renamed to „PASSAT“ für  Kauffahrtei AG, Bremen; 
   1939  renamed to „JANTJE FRITZEN  “ for Lexzau Scharbau & Co, Emden
   17.11.45  sunk with gas ammunition at Jutland by GB

                  DWT 4,650; Draft: 6.49 m;  LPP: 96.49m; Beam 13.70m, call sign  DAQI
   1 triple-expansion-engine,  950 BHP
  Ship yard: Vulcan-Werke.,Hamburg, Hull  686; 
01.1923 in service as „LINA KUNSTMANN“ for W. Kunstmann, Stettin/Germany
   1938 renamed to „REIMAR-EDZARD FRITZEN“; for W. Kunstmann, Stettin
   1951 renamed to  „ESCHERSHEIM“ for  Unterweser Reederei, Bremen
  14.01.1963 broken up in Lübeck

   DWT: 7,600 ; Draft: 8.90m;  LPP: 107.64m;  Beam  16.08m, call sign DGRL
    1 triple-expansion-engine,  2.200 BHP
   Ship yard:  Ateliers & Chantiers de France, Dunkerque, Hull  113; 
1922 in service as „SAINT OCTAVE“ for France,
4.6.1941 in Dunkerque in service for the German Navy.
   19.12.1941 renamed to  „ILSE FRITZEN“; for Johs.Fritzen & Sohn by German Navy 
   25.01.1945 attacked by RAF and sunk near Askevold/Norwax

                              DWT  6,600; Draft: 7.85 m;  LPP: 106.39m;  Beam 15.28m, call sign  DPZW
   1 triple-expansion-engine, 1,600 BHP
   Ship yard: Tyne Iron SB Co., Willington Quay/GB, Hull  158; 
06.05.1906 in service as „TRICOLOR“ for "IS DS Tricolor"/ Norway
   1925  renamed to „WITTEKID“; for Emder Dampferkompagnie Nübel & Fritzen AG
November 1939 as coal hulk for German Navy Yard in Wilhelmshaven
   14.01.1944 on the way from Narvik/Norway to Germany sunk bei RAF near Lister


 

 DWT 7,100; Draft: 7.97m;  LPP: 116.20m;  Beam 14.63m, call sign  DGBN
 1 triple-expansion-engine,  2,000 BHP
   Ship yard: Thompson, JL, North Sands/GB, Hull  345; 
 12.1896 in service as „LAVINIA“ for A.Kirsten/Germany
   1900 renamed to „HERMONTHIS“; for Deutsche Dampfschiff  Ges. „Komos“, 
   1920 renamed to „VALTAMERI“ , for E.W. Hellesten; 
   1925 renamed to „NEUWERK für. H & C Hedrich,
April 1929 renamed to  "EMSGATT"
12.01.1931 laid up in Emden,
End of 1933 broken up at Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel

IMO 5603462
DWT: 1,202; Draft: 7. 84m;  LPP:  88.93m;  Beam  12.71m 
  1 triple-expansion-engine 3,300 BHP, 16 Knoten
   Ship yard: Helsingor Vaerft, Elsinore in Denmark,  Hull  140;  
25.07.1913 as „A.P.BERNSTORFF“ in service for Denmark,
   1944  renamed to „RENATE“; in service for German Navy,staffed Johs. Fritzen & Sohn
   30.08.1944 bombed in Stettin, repaired
  02.04.1945 as hospital ship with 500 casualties bombed again in the Baltic Sea
   19.6.1945 from the Allied given back to Denmark, again as „A.P.BERNSTORFF“ in service
   1947 retrofitted from coal firing to oil firing,
   07.11.1953 to 1955 laid up in Esbjerg/Denmark
   28.03.1957 broken up in Hamburg