Museum Ship "Vityaz"

The "Vityaz" was built in 1939 as the cargo and passenger vessel "Mars" and was confiscated by the Kriegsmarine in 1940. It was damaged during an aerial raid on Bremen in December 1943. The "Mars" was in the later phase of the war used as transport ship for wounded and refugees. It transported cellulose from Scandinavia and then became a military hospital for 600 persons. In January-April, 1945, the Mars evacuated 20 000 refugees from Koenigsberg and Pillau. She made her last voyage on April 13.

After WWII the vessel was given to Great Britain and renamed the Empire Forth. A year later, she was given to the USSR and moored in Leningrad.

For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Kaj Metz
• Photos: Cees van Esch
• http://world-ocean.ru/