Profile drawing of Nymphe
Floating AA batteryWartime role

Design and service

The story of Nymphe

In 1940, four old coast defense ships were in service in the Norwegian navy. The two bigger ships, Norge and Eidsvold, were sunk during the German invasion of Narvik, while the two smaller ones, the Harald Haarfagre (build 1897) and the Tordenskjöld (build 1897) were captured by German forces.

Like other older and captured warships, those two ships were also modified to Floating AA batteries. After the reconstruction in Kiel, both ships entered German service an March of 1941, now named Nymphe and Thetis. Unlike other floating batteries, they kept their engine systems and were able to sail with their own power.

The Nymphe was first used in Norwegian waters near Tromsö, but later used in the area of Kiel. It survived the war, but on its way back to Norway on 17.05.1945, it beached and was later scrapped.

At a glance

Technical profile

Dimensions, armament and performance.

Dimensions

Size (Max)
3858 t
Length (Total)
92,85 m
Length (Waterline)
85,03 m
Beam
14,78 m
Draft
5,38 m

Armament

10,5 cm Flak
6
4 cm Flak
2
2 cm MG
14

Machinery

Shafts
2
Engines
2
Type
3 cyl triple expansion

Performance

Total Performance
4500 shp
Speed
14 kn

Construction record

Nymphe

Laid down
Armstrong Withworth & Co Elswick, 1896
Launched
18.03.1897
Commissioned
1898 (01.02.1941 as floating AA battery)
Fate
beached 1945