Lütjens Site

Lütjens Site

Lütjens Site

Lütjens Site

Letzte Blicke auf die alte „Lütjens“

Der 40 Jahre alte Zerstörer soll heute nach Eckernförde zurückgeschleppt werden .

The last looks at the old "Lütjens"

Today the 40 year-old destroyer should become to Eckernförde back drag.

Kiel - Die letzte Dockung der "Lütjens" geht langsam vorbei. Heute früh werden die Ventile im Dock 2 bei Lindenau aufgedreht. Im Schritttempo senkt sich dann das 10 000- Tonnen-Dock ab und lässt den alten Lenkwaffenzerstörer wieder aufschwimmen. Anschließend sollen Schlepper festmachen und den Koloss zurück nach Eckernförde bringen, wo noch abschließende Erprobungen geplant sind, bevor die "Lütjens" dann im Winter endgültig die Ostsee verlassen wird. Am Montag 1 wardas134 Meter lange und 14,3 Meter breite Schiff bei Lindenau eingetroffen und nach dem Eindocken eingehend untersucht worden. Besonderes Interesse galt dabei den Einbeulungen am Unterwasserschiff. Die Werft nahm auch einige kleinere Reparaturen und Reinigungsarbeiten vor. Äußerlich macht das fast 40 Jahre alte Schiff immer noch einen guten Eindruck. So haben die beiden Schrauben, Wellen und Ruderblätter die zu Testzwecken herbeigeführten Unterwasserexplosionen schadlos überstanden.

Kiel - The last Dockung of the "Lütjens" slowly passes. Today early the valves are turned up in the dock 2 with Lindenau. Then in the step tempo 10 000--metric ton docks sinks and leaves the old guided missile destroyer again aufschwimmen. Afterwards tractors should moor and bring the colossus back to Eckernförde where still final tests are planned, before the "Lütjens" will leave the Baltic Sea then in winter finally. On Monday 1 wardas134 metre of long and 14.3-metre-wide ship with Lindenau arrived and after the Eindocken thoroughly been examined. Besides, special interest counted for the Einbeulungen in the underwater ship. The shipyard also carried out some smaller repair and cleansing work. Externally the nearly 40 year-old ship still does a good impression. Thus both screws, waves and oar blades have got over the underwater explosions caused for test purposes without damage to the environment.

Auch die Masten mit ihren Radaranlagen sind äußerlich unversehrt. Aus eigener Kraft wird das Schiff aber nie wieder fahren. Die vier Hochdruckdampfkessel und die beiden Turbinen müssten mit erheblichem Aufwand instandgesetzt werden. Eine Aufgabe, wie sie allenfalls bei kleineren Dampfschiffen machbar ist, wie jüngst in Kiel mit der "Bussard" bewiesen, deren Dampfdruck für die Maschine bei neun bis zehn Bar liegt. Um die Dampfturbinen der "Lütjens" auf Touren zu bringen, werden bis zu 85 Bar benötigt. Mit den zusammen

70 000 PS konnte die "Lütjens" dann aber auch eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von weit über 30 Knoten erzielen.

Also the masts with her radar arrangements are externally unscathed. However, from own strength the ship will never again go. Four high-pressure steam boilers and both turbines would have to be repaired with considerable expenditure. A task, as it is feasible at most with smaller steamboats, as recently in Kiel with the "buzzard" proved whose vapour pressure lies for the machine with from nine to ten bars. To bring the steam turbines of the "Lütjens" on tours, are required up to 85 bars. Then, however, with together 70,000 HP a maximum speed of more than 30 knots could also achieve the "Lütjens".

Lutjens Newspaper Article.  11/17/2006 Abobe PDF

The following is an E-mail from a young ensign aboard USS Winston Churchill (DDG-81) to his father. Note that "Manning the Rail" is a shipboard ceremony reserved for only high ranking dignitaries, such as Heads of State. 

Here's the letter:

Dear Dad,

We are still at sea. The remainder of our port visits have all been canceled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of it. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.

About two hours ago, we were hailed by a German Navy destroyer, Lutjens, requesting permission to pass close by our port side. Strange, since we're in the middle of an empty ocean, but the captain acquiesced and we prepared to render them honors from our bridge wing. As they were making their approach, our conning officer used binoculars and announced that Lutjens was flying not the German, but the American flag. As she came alongside us, we saw the American flag flying half-mast and her entire crew topside standing at silent, rigid attention in their dress uniforms. They had made a sign that was displayed on her side that read "We Stand By You." There was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and saluted. It was the most powerful thing I have seen in my life. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to think that only half-century ago things were quite different. After Lutjens pulled away, the Officer of the Deck, who had been planning to get out later this year, turned to me and said, "I'm staying Navy."

I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home, but this is it for now.

Zerstörer Mölders D186

Zerstörer Rommel D187