The Adventures of the Kronprinz Wilhelm

Following the success of the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse (1897) and then bested by upstart

speed ship from HAPAG, Deutschland, North German Lloyd commissioned a second four-stacker.  The new ship, Kronprinz Wilhelm (in honor of the crown prince) was an improved

version of the Kaiser.  She was slightly larger and boasted even more luxurious first class accommodation.

When the she entered service in 1901, NDL aimed to recapture the Blue Ribband.  She never succeeded in besting the Deutschland’s record, but settled into profitable service for the company.

Kronprinz Wilhelm at sea.  1:1250 model by Carlo Marquardt.

The most exciting phase of the liner’s life came during the Great War.  Kronprinz Wilhelm was at sea when war broke out in the summer of 1914.  The crew scrambled to convert their vessel into an armed merchant cruiser, and with (albeit a small) passengers went on patrol.  

Over the course of several months’ non-stop sailing, including risky at sea refueling, she sank 15 Allied merchant vessels while commerce raiding in the South Atlantic.  German-friendly South American officials provided the ship with coal and provisions were obtained from captured vessels.  The crews of the ships joined the passengers on the “cruise” partly as prisoners, but strangely also as holidaymakers.  Amazing not a single life was lost but many people fiel ill to seasickness and poor nutrition.

In April 1915, a worn down vessel, exhausted crew, and sick and hungry passengers arrived in Newport News.  America was still neutral but authorities impounded the vessel.  After the war, Lieutenant Alfred von Niezychowski, wrote of the adventure, The Cruise of the Kronprinz Wilhelm.

Kronprinz Wilhelm passes Augusta Victoria.

In 1917, the US Navy renamed her U.S.S. Von Stueben and outfitted her for trooping duty.  This service was not without drama as she collided with U.S.S. Agamemnon (ex-Kaiser Wilhelm II) and resulting in serious damage and loss of life.  The vessel was in Halifax when the explosion of a French munitions carrier rocked the harbor.  The explosion was so powerful it caused a tsunami that and caused the death of 2,000 people. 

U.S.S.  Von Steuben.  US Navy Photograph in public domain.

In 1918 Von Steuben avoided a torpedo fired by U-151 by timely evasive action.  During another trooping run she came to the rescue of the U.S.S. Henderson battling a fire and transferring her troops to safety. 

After the war, Von Stueben sailed for the United States Shipping Board until 1923 when she was sold for scrap and broken up.

 

Kronprinz Wilhelm (1901-1915, U.S.S. Von Stueben 1917-1923) built by Vulkan Shipyards, Stettin, Germany for North German Lloyd.  14,908 GRT, 664 feet long, 66 feet wide.  Steam quadruple expansion engines geared to twin screw.  Service speed 22 knots.  As built: 1,761 total passengers (367 first class, 340 second class, 1,054 steerage).