Hospital Transport «Kalpaks» No. 524

Historical Background

A Latvian steamship of French construction, built in 1914.

In Tallinn she took aboard 1,000 people, of whom 850 were wounded; the rest mostly women and children. The ship repeatedly stopped in minefields to rescue survivors. By evening, up to 1,500 aboard.

Kalpaks sank August 29, 1941 at 4:46 PM after three bomb hits. Surviving reports describe how the enemy machine-gunned people in the water. Of 1,000+ people, only 60–70 survived. First found during the M-96 search but not surveyed then.

Condition on the Seabed

Identified by a bell reading «Marie Louise» — 1914, Nantes. In holds: human remains, field kitchens, hospital laundry boilers, small arms, and helmets.

Photos of Current Condition