15 August 2009, port of Antwerp
This is certainly an odd but historic vessel.
It was built as a tanker / supply vessel for U-boats by the German Navy between 1942 and 1944. In order to avoid the dangers of magnetic mines, the vessel was constructed in concrete instead of the usual steel.
It was designed by the French company “La Maison Saintrap et Brice”, based in Paris and the hull was constructed in a Rotterdam dry-dock. Early 1944 it was moved to Antwerp for outfitting.
In September 1944 the port was liberated by the Brittish army with the vessel left intact.
After the war it was used for its original purpose as a bunkering vessel in the port but in 1950 it was sold to the church who converted it into a floating parish in the port.
The vessel houses two chapels, one for 80 people, one for 260 people, and a café/restaurant.
Length over all : 95.85m
Beam : 14.25m
Max draft : 6.5 m
Weight of the casco : 3800 tons