The Fleets
This page covers German East Africa Line / Woermann Line (Deutsche Ost-Afrika-Linie / Deutsche Africa-Linien / Woermann Linie).
Operated passenger and cargo services between Germany and East African, West African and South African ports from 1890. Also between South Africa and India. (Woermann Line previously operated services to West Africa).
Many thanks to Ted Finch for his assistance in collecting this data. The following list was extracted from various sources. This is not an all inclusive list but should only be used as a guide.
Abbreviations used
- DAL - Deutsche Afrika-Linien
- DOAL - Deutsche Ost-Afrika-Linie
- WL - Woermann Linie
Ships
| Name | Built | Additional Information | GRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral (1) | 1890 | ex- Tosari, 1891 purchased from Sunda Line, Hamburg renamed Admiral, 1902 sold to C. T. Bowring renamed Rosalind. | 2,372 |
| Admiral (2) | 1905 | 1916 seized by Portugal renamed Lourenco Marques. (picture) | 6,341 |
| Adolph Woermann (1) | 1886 | 1894 sank after striking uncharted rock near Nifou. | 1,687 |
| Adolph Woermann (2) | 1888 | ex- Belgrano, 1896 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Adolph Woermann, 1906 renamed Frieda Woermann, 1917 seized by Brazil renamed Macapa. | 2,497 |
| Adolph Woermann (3) | 1906 | 1919 surrendered to Britain as war reparations, 1921 to David SS Co., London renamed Westminster Abbey, then sold to K.N.S.M, Holland renamed Venezuela. | 6,268 |
| Adolph Woermann (4) | 1922 | 1939 scuttled by crew near Ascension Island to avoid capture by Royal Navy. (picture) | 8,577 |
| Alexandra Woermann | 1898 | ex- Bruxellesville, 1901 purchased from Soc. Maritime du Congo, Antwerp renamed Alexandra Woermann, 1919 to Britain as war reparations, 1920 to Wilson Line renamed Calypso. | 3,757 |
| Aline Woermann (1) | 1879 | 1883 sank. | 1,279 |
| Aline Woermann (2) | 1891 | 1908 sold to An Yeng Sang, Hong Kong renamed Aline. | 2,378 |
| Aline Woermann (3) | 1910 | 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland at Douala, renamed Politania, 1917 torpedoed and sunk. | 3,133 |
| Anna Woermann (1) | 1884 | 1898 sold to Norway renamed Kong Magnus. | 1,118 |
| Anna Woermann (2) | 1893 | ex- Antonina, 1897 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Anna Woermann, 1914 scuttled as blockship at Douala, 1916 repaired by Britain renamed Polanna, 1917 torpedoed and sunk. | 2,335 |
| Arnold Amsinck | 1907 | 1917 seized by Brazil renamed Jaboatao. | 4,526 |
| Ascan Woermann | 1893 | ex- Buenos Aires, 1902 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Ascan Woermann, 1908 wrecked Grand Bassam. | 3,184 |
| Bundesrath (DOAL) | 1890 | launched as Alice Woermann (WL), completed as Bundesrath. 1909 scrapped. | 2,192 |
| Burgurmeister | 1902 | 1919 to France as war reparations, renamed Macoris. | 5,945 |
| Carl Woermann (1) | 1881 | 1908 scrapped. | 1,946 |
| Carl Woermann (2) | 1910 | 1917 seized by Brazil renamed Atalaia. | 5,715 |
| Duala | 1939 | 1945 captured by Britain renamed Empire Ock, to U.S.S.R. as war reparations renamed Peotr Veliki. | 6,133 |
| Eduard Bohlen (1) (WL) | 1889 | 1890 renamed Reichstag (DOAL), 1910 sold to Turkey renamed Sabah. | 2,202 |
| Eduard Bohlen (2) | 1890 | 1895 transferred to Cie. Belge Maritime du Congo, Belgium. 1898 returned to Woermann Line, 1909 wrecked Conception Bay. | 2,367 |
| Eduard Woermann | 1903 | ex- Alabama, 1904 purchased from Argos Line, Bremen renamed Eduard Woermann, 1919 to Britain as war reparations, operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co., 1921 sold to Norway renamed Hanna Skogland. | 5,643 |
| Eleonore Woermann | 1902 | 1915 shelled and sunk by HMS Australia off Argentina. | 4,624 |
| Elisabeth Brock | 1912 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1921 renamed Foria for Fabre Line. | 3,679 |
| Ella Woermann | 1883 | 1908 sold to Italy renamed Helvetia. | 1,666 |
| Emilie Woermann | 1903 | 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Edea. | 2,486 |
| Emir | 1911 | 1914 captured by HMS Cormorant at Gibraltar, 1916 renamed Polladern, operated by Elder Dempster, 1921 to Mitchell, Cotts & Co, London renamed Sunheath. | 5,532 |
| Erich Woermann | 1893 | ex- Rosario, 1904 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Erich Woermann, 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Togo. | 3,184 |
| Erna Woermann (1) | 1884 | 1896 sold to Belgium renamed Belgique. | 1,119 |
| Erna Woermann (2) | 1902 | ex- Louisiana, 1905 purchased from Argo Line, Bremen renamed Erna Woermann, 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland in Douala, renamed Huntscastle, operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co. 1921 sold to German East Africa Line renamed Sultan. 1933 scrapped. | 5.528 |
| Ernst Woermann | 1900 | 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Kamerun, 1912 wrecked Liberia. | 4,065 |
| Feldmarschall | 1903 | 1916 captured at Dar-es-Salaam, operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co., renamed Field Marshal. 1922 sold to China renamed Ling Nam. | 6,142 |
| Frieda Woermann | see Adolph Woermann. | ||
| General (1) | 1890 | ex- Salatiga, 1894 purchased from Sunda Line, Hamburg renamed General, 1909 scrapped. | 2,361 |
| General (2) | 1910 | 1923 to Messageries Maritimes, France renamed Azay le Rideau. | 8,063 |
| Gertrud Woermann (1) | 1885 | 1903 wrecked in fog near Port Nolloth. | 1,743 |
| Gertrud Woermann (2) | 1893 | ex- Pfalz, 1904 purchased from North German Lloyd renamed Gertrud Woermann, 1904 wrecked off Swakopmund in fog. | 4,603 |
| Gertrud Woermann (3) | 1905 | 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Windhuk. | 6,344 |
| Gertrud Woermann (4) | 1907 | 1917 seized by Brazil renamed Curvello. | 6,465 |
| Gouverneur | 1900 | 1909 wrecked near Lourenco Marques. | 3,381 |
| Gretchen Bohlen | 1890 | 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Duala. | 1.294 |
| Hans Woermann | 1900 | 1914 captured at Duala by HMS Cumberland, managed by Elder Dempster renamed Gold Coast, 1917 torpedoed and sunk. | 4,059 |
| Hedwig Woermann | 1890 | 1907 wrecked Sierra Leone. | 1,289 |
| Helene Woermann | 1888 | ex- Montevideo, 1898 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed HW, 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Lome. | 2,583 |
| Henny Woermann | 1911 | 1917 seized by Brazil renamed Uberaba. | 6,082 |
| Henriette Woermann | 1903 | 1914 captured in Douala by HMS Cumberland, 1915 managed by Cunard SS Co., renamed Polymnia. 1917 torpedoed and sunk. | 2,426 |
| Herzog | 1896 | 1911 sold to Portugal renamed Beira. | 4,933 |
| Hilda Woermann | 1914 | 1917 renamed Wahehe, same owner, 1919 surrendered to Britain as war reparations, 1920 sold to Burns, Philp & Co., renamed Marella. | 7,372 |
| Irma Woermann | 1901 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1921 renamed Lieutenant Fournaud. | 2,304 |
| Jeanette Woermann | 1893 | 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland at Douala, managed by Cunard SS Co renamed Pollentia. 1916 sank. | 2,286 |
| Kagera | 1915 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1922 renamed Indiana by French Line (CGT) | 5,617 |
| Kaiser | 1891 | 1912 sold to Chile. | 2,901 |
| Kamerun | 1938 | 1945 captured by Allies, 1947 to Norway renamed Goya. | 5,042 |
| Kanzler (1) | 1890 | 1891 wrecked on Pinda Shoal in Rovuma Delta. | 2,838 |
| Kanzler (2) | 1892 | 1913 sold to Khandwani, Bombay. | 3,052 |
| Khalif (1) | 1878 | ex- Naxos, 1902 purchased from Deutsche Levante Line renamed Khalif. 1905 scrapped. | 1,653 |
| Khalif (2) | 1906 | 1916 seized by Portugal renamed Fernao Veloso. | 5,105 |
| Khedive | 1906 | 1910 wrecked near East London, South Africa. | 5,106 |
| Kigoma | 1914 | 1919 to Britain as war reparations, operated by Shaw, Savill & Albion Line, 1921 to Anchor Line renamed Algeria, 1922 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Toledo. | 8,156 |
| Kommodore | 1904 | ex- Esne, 1910 purchased from Kosmos Line, Hamburg renamed Kommodore, 1916 seized by Portugal renamed Mormugao. | 6,013 |
| Konig | 1896 | 1915 shelled and sunk by HMS Hyacinth | 4,820 |
| Kronprinz | 1900 | 1916 seized by Portugal renamed Quelimane. (picture) | 5,645 |
| Kurfurst | 1901 | 1904 wrecked near Sagres, Portugal. | 5,654 |
| Kurt Woermann (1) | 1883 | ex- Pernambuco, 1894 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Kurt Woermann 1894 wrecked. | 2,027 |
| Kurt Woermann (2) | 1895 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1922 resold to Woermann Line, 1924 renamed Lagos (Deutsche Levante Linie, managers), 1927 sold to Italy renamed Eudora. | 2,263 |
| Lili Woermann | 1902 | 1920 to Britain as war reparations, 1921 resold to Woermann Line, 1933 scrapped. | 2,281 |
| Linda Woermann | 1895 | ex- Gutrune, 1902 purchased from Dampschiff-Rhederei von 1889, Hamburg renamed Linda Woermann, 1916 seized by Portugal renamed Pungue. | 1,377 |
| Livadia | 1922 | 1935 chartered from Hamburg America Line, 1936 purchased by DOAL, 1943 shelled and sunk by British long range artillery off Calais. | 3,083 |
| Lothar Bohlen (1) | 1888 | ex- San Nicolas, 1896 purchased from Hamburg South America Line renamed Lothar Bohlen, 1898 stranded Liberia. | 2,515 |
| Lothar Bohlen (2) | 1898 | 1920 to Britain as war reparations, 1925 sold to Italy renamed Francesco Vazzana. | 2,232 |
| Lucie Woermann | 1902 | 1920 to Britain, managed by New Zealand Shipping Co., 1921 to France as war reparations, renamed Aviateur Roland Garros for Messageries Maritimes. | 4,630 |
| Lulu Bohlen (1) | 1886 | 1903 stranded River Sanguin. | 1,685 |
| Lulu Bohlen (2) | 1904 | 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Otavi. | 5,173 |
| Lulu Bohlen (3) | 1911 | 1920 to France as war reparations renamed Kouroussa for Cie. Francaise de Nav. a Vap., Marseille. | 3,159 |
| Marie Woermann (1) | 1887 | 1909 sold D. F. Andreadis, Syra renamed Katinitsa.. | 1,772 |
| Marie Woermann (2) | 1916 | 1917 renamed Wadai same owner, 1920 to Britain as war reparations, 1921 sold to Rotterdam Lloyd renamed Tjerimai. | 7,497 |
| Markgraf | 1893 | ex- Mark, 1902 purchased from North German Lloyd renamed Markgraf, 1919 shelled and sunk at Tanga by HMS Severn and HMS Mersey. | 3,680 |
| Martha Woermann | 1902 | 1920 to Britain as war reparations, 1921 resold to Woermann Line, 1924 wrecked at Forcados. | 2,282 |
| Max Brock | 1907 | 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland at Douala, renamed Policastria for the Shipping Controller, London, 1920 sold to Norway renamed Frederick Gilbert, 1922 renamed Grey County, 1925 re-sold to Woermann Line renamed Waregga, 1933 scrapped. | 4,579 |
| Melita Bohlen | 1883 | ex- Lissabon, 1896 purchased from de Freitas, Hamburg renamed Melita Bohlen, 1907 scrapped. | 1,993 |
| Muansa | 1911 | 1943 torpedoed and sunk by submarine L.20. | 5,408 |
| Njassa | 1923 | 1934 chartered from Hamburg America Line, 1936 purchased by DOAL, 1945 bombed and sunk at Wilhelmshaven. | 8,754 |
| Otavi | 1940 | 1946 to France as war reparations, 1947 transferred to Argentina renamed El Gaucho. | 6,917 |
| Otto Woermann | 1898 | ex- Borkum, 1901 purchased from Albis Line, Hamburg renamed Otto Woermann, 1909 sold to Belgium renamed Adour. | 1,239 |
| Pangani | 1915 | 1919 to Britain as war reparations operated by Glen Line, 1921 to David SS Co, London renamed Cassio, re-sold to Holland renamed Nijkerk. | 5,735 |
| Paul Woermann | 1898 | 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland in Douala, managed by Cunard SS Co renamed Polandia. | 2,238 |
| Prasident | 1900 | 1915 scuttled at Lindi, Tanganyika when under British attack. Raised after the war, laid up at Saldanha Bay until 1955 then used as breakwater. | 3,310 |
| Pretoria | 1936 | 1945 captured by Britain renamed Empire Doon, troopship. | 16,662 |
| Prinzessin | 1905 | 1919 surrendered to Britain, operated by Shaw, Savill & Albion, later by Union-Castle Mail SS Co. 1921 allocated to France as war reparations, renamed General Voyron for Messageries Maritimes. | 6,387 |
| Prinzregent | 1903 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1920 renamed Cordoba for S.G.T.M. | 6,341 |
| Professor Woermann (1) | 1882 | 1903 sold to Italy renamed Anna Villa. | 1,611 |
| Professor Woermann (2) | 1903 | ex- Florida, 1904 purchased from Argos Line, Bremen renamed Professor Woermann, 1907 sold to Hamburg America Line renamed Swakopmund. | 5,638 |
| Professor Woermann (3) | 1912 | 1914 captured by Royal Navy, renamed Professor and operated by Union-Castle Mail SS Co., 1921 sold to Hugo Stinnes, Hamburg renamed Edmund Wagenknecht. | 6,061 |
| Reichstag | 1890 | see Eduard Bohlen 1889. | |
| Renata Amsinck | 1912 | 1914 captured by HMS Cumberland at Douala, renamed Polrosa, 1915 wrecked Barbuda, West Indies. | 3,824 |
| Rovuma | 1915 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1922 renamed Nevada by French Line (CGT). | 5,618 |
| Rufidji (1) | 1911 | captured by British at Simonstown, 1916 renamed Huntscliff. 1918 sank off Ireland. | 5,442 |
| Rufidji (2) | 1921 | ex- Andalusia, 1925 purchased from Hamburg America Line renamed Rufidji, 1943 seized by Portugal renamed Buzi. | 1.387 |
| Safari | 1892 | 1906 sold to Cowasjee, Dinshaw & Bros., Bombay. 1907 sold to Khedivial Mail Co., London renamed Mansourah. | 1,433 |
| Setos | 1883 | 1894 purchased from Kosmos Line, Hamburg, 1901 sunk Bombay in collision. | 1,746 |
| Somali | 1889 | ex- Osiris, 1901 purchased from Kosmos Line, Hamburg renamed Somali. 1914 sunk by British warships - East Africa. | 2,532 |
| Sultan (1) | 1891 | ex- Virginia, 1898 purchased from Hamburg America Line renamed Sultan, 1913 sold to Japan renamed Hachiro Maru. | 2,884 |
| Sultan (2) | 1921 | see Erna Woermann. | |
| Swakopmund | 1939 | 1945 bombed and sunk in Baltic. | 6,133 |
| Tabora | 1912 | 1916 shelled and sunk by Royal Navy at Dar-es-Salaam. | 8,022 |
| Tanganjika | 1922 | (DOL), 1935 sold to Hamburg America Line, 1936 purchased by Woermann Line, 1939 German Navy accommodation ship, 1943 bombed and sunk at Wilhelmshaven, 1947 raised and scrapped. | 8,540 |
| Thekla Bohlen | 1894 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1921 renamed Song Ma. | 2,239 |
| Togo | 1938 | 1945 captured by Allies, 1947 to Norway renamed Svalbard. | 5,042 |
| Tubingen | 1920 | 1935 transferred from NGL, 1945 bombed and sunk in Kattegat. | 4,501 |
| Ubena | 1928 | 1945 captured by Britain renamed Empire Ken, became troopship. | 9,554 |
| Ulanga (1) | 1914 | ex- Santa Clara, ex- Den of Airlie, 1923 purchased from C. Barrie & Sons, Dundee renamed Ulanga. 1931 scrapped after catching fire. | 5,537 |
| Ulanga (2) | 1940 | 1945 to Norway as war reparations renamed Stornes. | 6,940 |
| Urundi | 1920 | 1945 surreendered to Britain renamed Empire Thames, 1945 to Greek Government renamed Kalamai. | 5,791 |
| Usambara (1) | 1903 | ex- Edfu, 1910 purchased from Kosmos Line, Hamburg renamed Usambara, 1919 to France as war reparations, 1920 renamed Montana for French Line (CGT) | 5,999 |
| Usambara (2) | 1922 | 1940 requisitioned by German Navy, 1945 bombed and sunk near Stettin. | 8,690 |
| Usaramo | 1920 | 1940 requisitioned by German Navy as accommodation ship, bombed and sunk at Bordeaux, refloated but 1944 scuttled in River Gironde. | 7,758 |
| Ussukuma | 1920 | 1939 scuttled by crew off River Plate after interception by Royal Navy. | 7,765 |
| Wadai (1) | see Marie Woermann 1916. | ||
| Wadai (2) | 1922 | 1945 surrendered to Britain renamed Empire Yare, 1946 to Russia renamed Gogol. | 4,696 |
| Waganda | 1898 | ex- Tannenfels, ex- Hunslet, 1921 purchased from Shipping Controller, London renamed Waganda, 1932 scrapped. | 5,462 |
| Wagogo | 1914 | ex- Sofia, ex- St. Andrews, 1925 purchased from Treherbert SS Co, London renamed Wagogo, 1943 seized by Portugal renamed Bailundo. | 3,118 |
| Wahehe (1) | see Hilda Woermann 1914. | ||
| Wahehe (2) | 1922 | 1940 captured by Royal Navy near Iceland renamed Empire Citizen, 1941 torpedoed and sunk. | 4,709 |
| Wakama | 1921 | ex- Odin, 1925 purchased from Frigga Line, Hamburg renamed Wakama, 1940 scuttled by crew near Rio de Janeiro to avoid capture by Royal Navy. | 3,771 |
| Wameru | 1919 | ex- Polaria, ex- Porthia, 1927 purchased from R. H. Read, St. Ives renamed Wameru, 1943 seized by Portugal renamed Huambo. | 4,076 |
| Wangoni | 1921 | 1940 requisitioned by German Navy as accommodation ship, 1946 to U.S.S.R renamed Chukotka. | 7,768 |
| Waregga (1) | 1914 | 1919 to France as war reparations, 1920 to Soc. les Affreteurs Reunis, Rouen. | 3,830 |
| Waregga (2) | 1925 see Max Brock. | ||
| Warundi | 1914 | 1919 to France as war reparations, renamed Olbia for Fabre Line, Marseille. | 3,821 |
| Watussi | 1928 | 2nd Dec.1939 set afire and abandoned by crew about 50 miles south of Cape Agulhas to avoid capture by Royal Navy while attempting to reach Germany from Mozambique. Later sunk by HMS RENOWN. | 9,552 |
| Wigbert | 1920 | 1934 purchased from NGL, 1940 torpedoed and sunk in Kattegat. | 3,648 |
| Windhuk | 1936 | 1943 seized by USA renamed Lejeune (AP 74), troopship. | 16,662 |
| Wolfram | 1921 | 1934 purchased from NGL, 1942 torpedoed and sunk. | 3,648 |