
Rostock, Germany, 1923. Â Grete, a 6,548-ton cargo ship built by Neptun AG, slips into the water, awaiting service and ready to begin a strange life at sea. Â Entering service in July of that year for C Mohlenberg Reederei GmbH, she would sail under a German flag until 1934. Â In that year, the 440ft long ship with a beam of 57ft, and a draught of 25ft, 9 inches, was sold to an Italian firm and renamed Gabbiano.