The yacht the E-boats were based on

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   Hi all

This may be a tiny bit off subject, but is a part of the development leading up to the Schnellboot.

I am looking for information on the yacht Oheka II upon which the S-1 was based according to my research.

She was built in 1927 for a New York banker and according to Lloyds Register of Yachts (LRoY) was sold to Japan in 1936 efter the owners death in 1934. The new owner was Takanaka Mitsui with home port in Yokohama. I have photos of LRoY from 1937 and 1939 with the same info. I could not find her in the editions after the war. But since that data was found on paper, I may have missed her. 

I have found a few articles in the New York Times from 1927 and have found http://www.prinzeugen.com/SBOATIND.htm
which was very interesting.

Is any more of the history known?

I have only found two usable photos on the internet, and they are not high resolution :-(

Regards
Peter

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PeterS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 July 2005 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: The yacht the E-boats were based on Posted: 08 October 2008 at 8:30pm
	Hi all This may be a tiny bit off subject, but is a part of the development leading up to the Schnellboot. I am looking for information on the yacht Oheka II upon which the S-1 was based according to my research. She was built in 1927 for a New York banker and according to Lloyds Register of Yachts (LRoY) was sold to Japan in 1936 efter the owners death in 1934. The new owner was Takanaka Mitsui with home port in Yokohama. I have photos of LRoY from 1937 and 1939 with the same info. I could not find her in the editions after the war. But since that data was found on paper, I may have missed her. I have found a few articles in the New York Times from 1927 and have found http://www.prinzeugen.com/SBOATIND.htm which was very interesting. Is any more of the history known? I have only found two usable photos on the internet, and they are not high resolution :-( Regards Peter

Pioneer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Pioneer Joined: 07 December 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 675	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pioneer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 October 2008 at 9:20am
	Hello Peter, I have a copy of an excellent book - "S-BOOTE German E-boats in action 1939-1945" by Jean-Philippe Dallies Labourdette ISBN:2-35250-019-2. This book has been translated from French and may just have lost a little regarding an accurate 'time frame' - but it quotes (on page 13)... "Along with its dealings on the home market, the firm started to export its know-how, notably to the United States. The American Coast Guard was interested in Lursen's little boats, and several vessels of varying tonnage were built for them. Among these was the Inishowen, whose form and nautical characteristics were already similar to those of the first series of S-Boote launched at the beginning of the 1930's, And then an American millionaire ordered a splendid motor yacht, the Oheka 11, with remarkable nautical qualities and capable of a speed of 34 knots..." From that I would deduce that the Oheka 11 was developed after the first series, while this book may have the dates out of sync, it does specifically mentions two earlier craft - Rheinpolizie V1 and V11 delivered in 1926 to the Rhine Police. I personally believe (for what its worth ) that the Lurson yard had been continually developing their craft from WW1 designs, frequently pushing the Terms of the Versallies Treaty to its limits. S1 was delivered to the Reichmarine on the 7th August 1930. I shall try and and get an image of the American "Inishowen" posted - this was supposedly delivered to the American Coast Guard late 1920's ('27-'28??) - maybe someone can enlighten me further? Photo: Lurssen. American Coast Guard 'Inishowen' The Hull lines show a remarkable likeness to the S1. Edited by Pioneer - 09 October 2008 at 9:36am
	Pioneer - Forum Moderator

PeterS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 July 2005 Location: Denmark Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 October 2008 at 12:33am
	Hello Pioneer That sounds like a very interesting book. I think it has some dates mixed up though. Lürssen belivered a expressyacht (Rennkreuzer) named Charming Polly in 1926 to a different American owner than Oheka II's. From wikipedia.de Die Entwicklung des typischen deutschen Schnellbootes des Zweiten Weltkrieges begann 1928, als das Schnellboot S 1, basierend auf dem Plan der schnellen Motorjacht Oheka II, entwickelt wurde. Das Boot wurde 1930 als „UZ (S) 16“ - U-Boot-Zerstörer in Dienst gestellt. Partly translated :) Development of the typical german schnellboot from WW2 began in 1928 with the S-1, based on the fast motoryacht Oheka II. delivered as „UZ (S) 16“ in 1930. From an article on lüerssen By the end of 1931 over 45 boats had been delivered to the US. On 30. Juni 1930 the Schnellboot S 1 was launched This fits the date you gave on delivery 07-aug-1931. Several sources mention that the Treaty of Versallies did not mention boats of this small size and so a loophole was used. The photo of the Inishowen shows a hull quite similar to the Oheka II.