FRACHTOWIEC RIO DE JANEIRO , PRZERYWACZ ZAGRÓD MINOWYCH SPERRBRECHER 18 I OKRĘT PODWODNY ORZEŁ

MS Rio de Janeiro was a German merchant ship from both world wars and the interwar period. The keel was laid in 1913 or 1914, and the ship was launched in 1914. The total length of the vessel was 122.5 meters, with a width of 16.8 meters. The maximum speed did not exceed 10.5-11 knots. MS Rio de Janeiro, originally called Santa Ines, was built in a German shipyard Schiffbau und Maschinenfabrik Bremer Vulkan in Vegesack for the freight company Hamburg Süd. From the beginning, it was assumed that the vessel would be used in maritime communication between Germany and South America, and it was in this direction that Santa Inez set out on its first voyage. However, as a result of the outbreak of World War I, the ship remained in these waters until 1918/1919. After the end of hostilities, he returned to Germany, where, after various perturbations, he returned to the original owner in 1921. It also changed its name to MS Rio de Janeiro. In the period 1921-1939, the ship performed without any major problems the civilian transport tasks set before it. In 1940, however, he was confiscated by the Kriegsmarine and prepared for the transport of the army. The unit was to be used in the course of operations in Norway, but on April 8, 1940, it was sunk by the Polish submarine ORP Orzeł.