Danmark1.jpg The Netlayer IV ex MV Najade in March 1944 in the Kieler Förde.EsikatselukuvatWar transport OLDENBURG with camouflage paint in a German port, in 1942.The Netlayer IV ex MV Najade in March 1944 in the Kieler Förde.EsikatselukuvatWar transport OLDENBURG with camouflage paint in a German port, in 1942.The Netlayer IV ex MV Najade in March 1944 in the Kieler Förde.EsikatselukuvatWar transport OLDENBURG with camouflage paint in a German port, in 1942.
7 dec 1921: DANMARK was launched by Helsingör Jaernskig- og Maskinbyggeri, Elsinore, yard number 163, for De Danske Statsbaner.
Measured 2915 grt / 1264 nrt / 500 tdw. Capacity: 20 freight waggons or 7 coaches plus 70 cars, 1100 passengers. Powered by 2 III-exp. steam engines, together 3600 H.P., maximum speed 15½ kn.
11 Dec 1922: delivered to its owners, put into service this month on the route Gjedser-Warnemünde.
9 Jan 1929: DANMARK involved in a collision with the railway ferry SCHWERIN (3133 grt / 1926), only slight damages sustained.
9 April 1940: on the first day of Operation Weserübung captured by German troops in the port of Gjedser. The German force arrived at 0355 h with the ordinary ferrys SCHWERIN and MECKLENBURG (1810 grt / 1903), crammed with infantry troops !
1940 - 1944: remained in regular service between Germany and Denmark, carrying mainly troops and war materials, but also civilians.
8 March 1945: DANMARK was sunk by Danish insurgents in the port of Gjedser with explosives.
28 June 1945: raised, towed to Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen. Repairs completed by 15 July 1946, anew taken into service between Warnemünde and Gjedser on 10 May 1947.
15 July 1951: ferry service extended also to Großebrode-Kai, Schleswig-Holstein.
since 14 May 1963: DANMARK placed back into reserve for occasional travelling, last voyage took place on 14 April 1968.
18 April 1968: sold for scrapping to Van Heyghen Frères, Bruges, arrived there on 23 April 1968.

Photo and text: Sebastian Boreck, Berlin