Die Schnellboot-Seite
Tender Klasse 401 ("Rhein")
The thirteen tenders of classes 401, 402, and 403 were been built for support of the boat-squadrons. The tenders of class 401 were planned for subordination of the S-Boat-squadrons. They served to supply the boats with fuel, water, ammunition, spare parts, ans food. The sick-bay was suited to take care of lighter woundings. With additionally embarked medical doctors also heavier woundings could be treated. Replenischment by air was only possible as vertical replenishment (VERTREP), since the ships had no landing deck. To support the boat's crews in repairs a Systemunterstützungsgruppe (SUG) [system support group] could be embarked. Embarkation of a squadron staff was also possible.
Technical Data
| Shipyards | Multiple |
| Units built | 8 |
| From/to | 1959 - 1964 |
| In Commission | 1961 - 1994 |
| Displacement | 2740 ts |
| Length | 98,20 m |
| Beam | 11,80 m |
| Draught | 4,70 m |
| Propulsion | 6 x Maybach four-stroke 16-cylinder Diesel engines 14 400 HP |
| Shafts/Propellers | 2 - 2 |
| Speed | 20 kts |
| Complement | 122 |
| Armament | 2 x 100 mm-K L/55 MEL |
| 4 x 40 mm/L 70 Bofors Flak | |
| 70 Mines | |
| 10 Depth Charges |
Tender "Main" - Picture: Archives Förderverein
Tenders and S-Boats - Picture: Archives Förderverein
Specials
T 1 "Rhein" (A 58) - Schlieker-Werft, Hamburg, 3. S-Squad, commissioned November 6th 1961, decommissionde 1993, sold to Singapoore.
T 2 "Elbe" (A 61) - Schlieker-Werft, Hamburg, 2. S-Squad, commissioned April 17th 1962, from 1982 assigned to 7. S-Squad, decommissioned December 17th 1992. Left to Turkey as substitute for ex-Tender "Ruhr". Today in service as training ship for Officer-Cadets "TCG CEZAYIRLI GAZI HASANPAŞA" (A-579) at Naval Academy Tuzla.
T 4 "Ruhr" (A 64), Schlieker-Werft, Hamburg, planned for 7. S-Squad, Schoolship, commissioned May 02nd 1964, decommissioned December 2nd 1971, Reserveflotilla. Left to Turkey as training ship for Officer-Cadets "TCG C2ndEZAYIRLI GAZI HASANPAŞA" (A-579 at Naval Academy Tuzla. Broken off, substituted by Tender "Elbe".
T 5 "Weser" (A 62), Elsflether Werft, Elsfleth, 1. S-Squad, from 1963 to 31.01.1965 Schoolship, C: 14.07.1962, D: 31.05.1968, left to Greece as "Aigaion" (D 215), C: 06.07.1976
T 6 "Main" (A 63), Lindenauwerft, Kiel, 5. S-Squad, commissioned June 29th 1963, decommissioned November 25th 1993
T 7 "Werra" (A 68), Lindenauwerft, Kiel, 7. S-Squad, commissioned September 2nd 1964, March 31st 1982 transfered to Minedefencesquad.
T 8 "Donau" (A 69), Schlichting-Werft, Travemünde, planned for 3. S-Squad, Schoolship, commissioned May 23rd 1964, decommissioned June 28th 1982, conservated in MArs WHV, commissioned FEbruary 18th 1970 for 2. S-Squad, decommissioned December 1st 1994. Today in service as training ship for Officer-Cadets "TCG SOKULLU MEHMET PAŞA" (A-577) at Naval Academy Tuzla.
T 9 "Neckar" (A 66), Lürssen-Werft, Vegesack, planned for 1. S-Squad, commissioned December 7th 1963 for 7. S-Squad, decommissioned 1994
Similar to "Rhein"-Class are also the types Class 402 ("Mosel"-Class for minesweepers) with three units built ("Mosel", "Isar", "Saar") and Class 403 ("Lahn"-Class for Submarines) with two units ("Lahn" and "Lech").