9/6/1939 57°16’N, 1°41’E North Sea 36th day at sea
In search for a suitable freighter for “Operation Wolf” Ship 35’s lookouts sighted smoke bearing 035°T range 16,850m, Hartmann again brought the ship to battle stations. Ship 35 closed at 19 knots to 8,000m and de camouflaged, 2 warning shots from the 3.7cm brought the freighter to a stop, This time the ship didn’t transmit, a boarding party was sent under the command of Oblt.z.S Schmidt (6 officers, 8 petty officers, and 25 ratings).
Oblt.z.S Schmidt was met on deck by the master of the freighter Master K.S. Boer inspecting the ships logbook and papers Schmidt determined that the freighter CENTURION 5,283 grt had departed The Port of Danzig and was bound for London. The ship was under orders of the British Admiralty. This ship belonged to Olsen & Ugelstad, Oslo built in 1928 by C.S. Swan & Hunter Ltd, Wallsend.
Schmidt gave the crew 10 minutes to abandon ship afterwards the Chief Engineer KKpt(Dipl-Ing) Miller, prize officer Oblt.z.S Wagner, and Mine Officer Oblt.z.S(M) Boehme informed Hartmann that the freighter was in bad condition and would not be suitable for use as minelayer, Hartmann ordered the ship to be scuttled. Soon Oblt.z.S Wolff and his team went to work and the ship was sent to the bottom.
A crew of 48 were taken prisoner. Hartmann departed the area at once. He concluded that the sinking of both Norwegians and RAF aircraft that have been sighted hurt Ship 35’s chances of carrying out the operation herself and now 2 ships would need to be captured and converted into minelayers. Also an update on Ship 39 (Kybfels) she departed Bremerhaven and is now coming in our direction both vessels will meet on September 10th at Point Green 10.
