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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

Prinz Eugen (IX-300)

German Cruiser (War Prize):

Laid down in 1936 at Krupp Germania Werft Yards, Kiel, Germany

Launched, 20 August 1938

Commissioned into the German Navy, 1 August 1940

Surrendered to British Forces at Copenhagen, Denmark, 7 May 1945

Acquired by US Navy, 13 January 1946

Placed in service as Prinz Eugen (IX-300) in January 1946

Used as a target for an atomic test at Bikini Atoll, 25 July 1946

Final Disposition, after being towed to Kwajalein began to list and capsized and sunk at Enubuj Island, Kwajalein Atoll, 22 December 1946.

Specifications:
Displacement 19,250 t.(fl)
Length 655'
Beam 71'
Draft 15
Speed 32 kts.
Complement (war-time) 830

Armament

eight 8" guns

twelve 4.1" guns

twelve 37mm guns

twelve 21 " torpedo tubes

Aircraft four aircraft, one catapult

Propulsion steam turbines

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
KMS Prinz Eugen
	54k	*Namesake* Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy–Carignano - (18 October 1663 – 21 April 1736) better known as Prince Eugene, was a field marshal in the army of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty during the 17th and 18th centuries. He was one of the most successful military commanders of his time, and rose to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. (Wikipedia)	Tommy Trampp
	328k	Post card image of the launching of KMS Prinz Eugen 20 August 1938, at Krupp's Germania Werft Yard, Kiel, Germany	Tommy Trampp
	104k	KMS Prinz Eugen after launching at Krupp's Germania Werft Yard, Kiel, Germany, 20 August 1938. Note the conventionally stowed anchors and her coat of arms painted on her straight bow. Imperial War Museum photo from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	86k	KMS Prinz Eugen at Krupp's Germania Werft Yard, Kiel, Germany, shortly before her completion. Photo by W. B. Bilddienst from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	167k	The German battleship KMS Bismarck at sea en route to Norway, circa 19-20 May 1941, prior to her Atlantic sortie. Photographed from the heavy cruiser KMS Prinz Eugen. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 69721. Copied from the report of officers of *Prinz Eugen*, with identification by her Gunnery Officer, Paul S. Schmalenbach, 1970.	Tommy Trampp
	35k	KMS Prinz Eugen in 1941, prior to Operation "Rheinubung" (KMS Bismarck's Atlantic Sortie). The spherical shields have not yet been fitted to the forward directors. Photo by Druppel from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	196k	KMS Prinz Eugen in 1941, prior to Operation "Rheinubung". Note separate elevation to the 20.3 cm (8") SKC/34 guns, the left gun of 'Anton' turret is at maximum elevation, the right at maximum depression. In the background is *Cap Arkona* and astern of her is either *Deutschland* or *Hansa*, employed as accommodation ships. Photo Groner from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	61k	KMS Prinz Eugen in 1941, arrives in Brest, France after "Rheinubung". Note the paint eroded by the action of the bow wave. Photo Bundesarchiv-Koblenz from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	97k	An undated RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen, with the repair ship KMS Huascaran alongside, undergoing temporary repairs to her stern in Lofjord, Near Trondheim, Norway, after escaping from Brest, France, and being torpedoed by *HMS Trident* (N-52)** on 21 February 1942. Photos and text from "Looking Down on War: Axis Warships As Seen on Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retd). Pen and Sword Maritime, Pen and Sword Books Ltd., 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978 184884 471 1	Robert Hurst
	251k	KMS Bismarck followed by KMS Prinz Eugen steam out of Lofjord Norway, May 1942.	Tommy Trampp
	141k	Overhead view of KMS Prinz Eugen underway on a north-north-easterly course off the southwest coast of Norway. The photograph was taken on 17 May 1942. RAF photo-interpreters noted the squared-off stern, about 30 feet having been cut away after torpedo damage from the submarine *HMS Trident* (N-52)** on 23 February 1942. An Arado 196 aircraft is visible amidships on the catapult. Photo Ref: AIR 34/744 from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	49k	AN RAF pilot makes his report to the intelligence officer on his return from attacking KMS Prinz Eugen. He found Prinz Eugen hugging the shore and protected by a screen of destroyers on the evening of 17 May 1942. The cruiser was steaming southwards along the Norwegian coast. She was attacked by torpedo and bomb carrying aircraft of Coastal Command RAF, operating more than 300 miles from their base. *Prinz Eugen* had been undergoing repairs in the Lofjord, near Trondheim, Norway after her escape from Brest in company with KMS Gneisenau and KMS Scharnhorst. Photo from Imperial War Museum.	Tommy Trampp
	146k	A RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen moored ahead of the light cruiser KMS Emden (at right) at Gotenhafen (Gdynia) on 10 October 1943. The Swastika herald prominent on bow deck became a PI recognition key for *Prinz Eugen* for most of the war. Photos and text from "Looking Down on War: Axis Warships As Seen on Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retd). Pen and Sword Maritime, Pen and Sword Books Ltd., 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978 184884 471 1	Robert Hurst
	106k	An overhead RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen tied up at the Germania yard, Kiel after having had a new stern fitted. Photos and text from "Looking Down on War: Axis Warships As Seen on Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retd). Pen and Sword Maritime, Pen and Sword Books Ltd., 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978 184884 471 1	Robert Hurst
	46k	KMS Prinz Eugen lying off Kiel, Germany in October 1942. A faint trace of a residual 'wave'-type camouflage pattern is just visible on the original print. Vierlings are fitted on 'B and 'C' turrets. Photo Groner from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	51k	KMS Prinz Eugen at anchor, circa 1943 or 1944, location unknown. Note the faded camouflage paint. Photo Groner from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M. J. Whitley.	Robert Hurst
	97k	An overhead RAF photo recon image of KMS Prinz Eugen underway in the Baltic sea off Gotenhafen (today Gdynia), 24 March 1945, four days before his last refugee trip.. Note the Kriegsmarine regarded their ships as being masculine rather than being feminine Photos and text from "Looking Down on War: Axis Warships As Seen on Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retd). Pen and Sword Maritime, Pen and Sword Books Ltd., 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978 184884 471 1	Robert Hurst
094630042	177k	KMS Prinz Eugen at anchor, date and location unknown. Photo from "Naval Air War 1939-1945" by Nathan Miller	Tommy Trampp
	276k	Photo of ship model of KMS Prinz Eugen by Trumpeter, dated 1945.	Tommy Trampp
	12k	KMS Prinz Eugen prior to acquisition by the US Navy. US Navy photo from DANFS	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	191k	A US Navy photo from "Looking Down on War: Axis Warships As Seen on Photos From Allied Intelligence Files" by Colonel Roy M. Stanley 11, USAF (Retd). Pen and Sword Maritime, Pen and Sword Books Ltd., 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978 184884 471 1	Robert Hurst
	118k	Danish soldiers stand guard over the German cruiser KMS Prinz Eugen after German naval forces surrender in Copenhagen harbor, 13 May 1945. Before the surrender the ship had been shelling the city	Tommy Trampp
NS 094630031	78k	THE SURRENDER OF THE GERMAN CRUISERS PRINZ EUGEN AND NURNBERG TO HMS's DIDO AND BIRMINGHAM AT COPENHAGEN IN MAY 1945 In May 1945, as the war drew to a close, a force consisting of the cruisers HMS Dido, HMS Birmingham and several destroyers was tasked with occupying ports in the Baltic. The force passed through the German mine fields off the Skagerrak, reaching Copenhagen on 9 May. They took control of the German cruisers KMS Prinz Eugen and KMS Nurnberg following their surrender. The Captains of *Prinz Eugen* and *Nurnberg* formally surrendered to Captain Elkins of HMS Dido, 12 May 1945. The following day *Birmingham* was relieved by HMS Devonshire and returned to the UK. NS 094630031 - Officers from the German cruisers board HMS Dido to receive de-ammunitioning orders NS 094630032 - Surrender of German cruisers to Captain Elkins of HMS Dido NS 094630033 - KMS Prinz Eugen alongside at Copenhagen for the surrender	Tommy Trampp
NS 094630032	35k
NS 094630033	35k
Prinz Eugen (IX-300)
	99k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) arriving at Boston, 26 January 1946	Tommy Trampp
	36k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) arriving at Boston, 26 January 1946	Joseph M. Lobo, CM2/c, USCG, and Jordynne Olivia Lobo, AG3, USNR
	36k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) arriving at Boston, 26 January 1946	Joseph M. Lobo, CM2/c, USCG, and Jordynne Olivia Lobo, AG3, USNR
	76k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) moored at Boston Naval Shipyard, early 1946. Note USS LSM-486 nested with several additional LSMs in the background at a nearby pier.	George M. French
	29k	*USS Prinz Eugen* (IX-300)** fires her forward 8" guns to port during her run from Boston to Philadelphia. Navy Bureau of Ship's observers put the cruiser's abilities to test.	Tommy Trampp
094630040	117k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) off the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, PA., circa February 1946. *Prinz Eugen* had a crew of 8 officers and 85 enlisted men of the U.S. Navy supervising 27 officers and 547 enlisted men of the former German Kriegsmarine for tests. U.S. Navy "All Hands" magazine March 1946	Robert Hurst
094630043	247k	Newspaper caption -"CREW MEMBER OF TH NAZI CRUISER >Prinz Eugen are shown as they filed down the gangplank of the ship at the naval base in Philadelphia, Pa. In a surprising display of affection for crew members of the German Navy some 5,600 German-Americans paid homage to the 547-man crew of the cruiser and showered them with gifts. The ship will be used as a "guinea pig" in the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll." The Wilmington Morning Star, Thursday February 28, 1946, page 15	Michael Mohl
	55k	US Navy CAPT. A.H. Graubart and CAPT. Hans Jürgen Reinicke walk on deck of the former German heavy cruiser *Prinz Eugen, officially Prinz Eugen* (IX-300), off the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, PA. *Prinz Eugen* had a crew of 8 officers and 85 enlisted men of the U.S. Navy supervising 27 officers and 547 enlisted men of the former German Kriegsmarine for tests. Reinicke was the commander of the German crew. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, March 1946	Tommy Trampp
BUSHIPS 114284	597k	Fore and aft views of Prinz Eugen (IX-300) moored at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, February 1946. Her two guns from turret number one were removed while at Philadelphia. US Navy Bureau of Ships photo #114284 and #114285.	David Buell
BUSHIPS 114285	585k		David Buell
	617k	Aerial port bow view of Prinz Eugen (IX-300) sailing from Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, 10 March 1946. Naval Shipyard Philadelphia photo # 377-46-19	Ingo Bauernfeind via Robert M. Cieri
	84k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) underway bound for the Pacific and the atomic bomb trials. Points to note are the removal of the 20.3cm guns from "A" turret, the starboard flak director, as is most of the light flak guns and directors. Gone too is the main range-finder on the conning tower where special test equipment has been installed. US Navy photo from "German Cruisers of World War Two", by M J Whitley.	Robert Hurst
094630041	139k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) passing through the Gatun locks, Panama Canal, 15 March 1946. Note the guns of A turret are missing. Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. National Archives Identifier: 520587	Robert Hurst
80-G-627446	291k	Prinz Eugen (IX-300) at anchor, 14 June 1946, awaiting atomic bomb trials. On the main range-finder at the top of the superstructure can be seen the massive mattress aerial of the Fu MO26 radar. At the foretop is the small Fu Mo81 Berlin-S aerial. On the mainmast platform is the Fu Mo25 aerial and on the front port side of the flak control platform can be seen the one of the Sumatra radar-detection dipoles. US National Archives photos # 80-G-627446 and 80-G-627445 US Navy photos now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Robert Hurst and David Wright
	402k		Robert Hurst and David Wright
	147k	Overhead view of the Prinz Eugen (IX-300) wreck at Ennylabegan Island, Kwajalein Atoll, 12 October 1980. Courtesy World War II in Pictures (Blog)	Tommy Trampp
	124k	The wreck of Prinz Eugen (IX-300) at Enubuj Island, Kwajalein Atoll sits upside down, with her rudder and two remaining propellers partially out of the water. The third propeller is currently displayed in Germany. Courtesy Sub2obyDiveAdvisor.com.	Tommy Trampp
	153k	*Prinz Eugen* propeller and bell. In August 1979, one of the ship's propellers was retrieved and placed in the Laboe Naval Memorial in Germany. The ship's bell is currently held at the National Museum of the United States Navy on display at the Cold War Gallery, Washington Navy Yard. *Prinz Eugen* was part of the atomic testing of Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll in 1946. The bell had been removed prior to the atomic testing.	Tommy Trampp
09375236	103k	Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, 4 September 2018. *USNS Salvor* (T-AR5 52) and products tanker Humber sit moored over the capsized WW II German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen during an oil recovery project. The U.S. Army. in partnership with the U,5. Navy and the Republic of the Marshall islands are conducting the recovery effort to ensure mission capability of the U.5. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein while protecting the sensitive ecosystem within the atoll. The Prinz Eugen** was transferred to the U.S. Navy as a war prize from the British Royal Navy after WWII and in 1946 she was loaded with oil and cargo and used to test survivability of warships during the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. The operation is being performed by Naval Sea Systems Command. Office of the Supervisor of Salvage engineers and is expected to last until the end of October. U.S. Navy photo by Leigh Ann Ferrari	John Spivey