Strength Through Joy
Originally constructed as a cruise ship for the Nazi Strength Through Joy ("Kraft durch Freude") organization in 1937, "Wilhelm Gustloff" had been requisitioned by the "Kriegsmarine" (German navy) in 1939. She served as a hospital ship in 1939 and 1940. She was then assigned as a floating barracks for naval personnel in Gotenhafen before being armed and put into service to transport evacuees in 1945.