Glückauf was a German ship that represented a major step forward in oil tanker design.

[4] The 2700-ton tanker was built at the Armstrong Mitchell yard, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, Britain, with eight compartments for the cargo.

It was the first ship in which oil could be pumped directly into the vessel hull instead of being loaded in barrels or drums.

)[6] It was built for Wilhelm Anton Riedemann's shipping firm in Geestemünde and ran mostly as a tramp steamer.

On April 7, it was briefly dislodged and was being pulled out to sea when the hawser broke; the ship ran permanently aground.