RAIDERS AND THEIR SUPPLY SHIPS ACROSS THE OCEANS - SHIPS TANKERS
9)SUPPLY SHIP REKUM
Rekum seen as Norwegian Heron. Photo CHITON | Helderline.com
Built 1919
Tonnage 5,540/8,300
Length 412,0’
Beam 52,3’
Draught 25,1’
Propulsion 1 Triple expansion 517 NHP 1 screw single shaft
Speed 10,5kt
Launched as WAR SHIKARI by Lithgows Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow.
In 1920 was acquired by Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company. In 1921 was renamend CHITON.
In 1927 was acquired by Sherlofsen Moss (Norway) and renamed HERON.
In 1939 was purchased by E. Glassel (Germany) and renamed REKUM.
Rekum supplied fuel for several raiders in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. After the battle with Alcantara, Thor repaired her battle damage, cleaned her boilers and changed her disguise. On July 24 1940 the Raider Widder replenished fuel from Rekum. Thor rendezvoused with the supply ship Rekum on 25 August 1940 and then returned to Brazilian waters.
Sunk by coastal batteries at Dover on March 21 1944 off Boulogne.
