HMAT Bulla was built as Hessen for the German Line Norddeutscher Lloyd in 1905.[1] It was seized by Australian forces on September 3, 1914, when it sailed into Melbourne, being unaware of the outbreak of World War I.[2] It was a troop transport in the First World War, and then transferred to the Commonwealth Government Line of Steamers in 1918. It was sold in 1926 to W. Schuchmann, who renamed it Weissesee[3]
 The ship as Hessen | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Germany | |
| Name | Hessen |
| Owner | Norddeutscher Lloyd |
| Port of registry | Bremen |
| Builder | Joh. C. Tecklenborg, Geestemunde |
| Yard number | 207 |
| Launched | 1905 |
| Christened | 2 September 1905 |
| Completed | 9 November 1905 |
| Out of service | 1914 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Seized by Australia in World War I |
 Australia | |
| Name | HMAT Bulla |
| Operator | Commonwealth Line |
| Acquired | 1914 |
| Out of service | 1926 |
| Identification | A45 |
| Fate | Sold |
  Germany | |
| Name | Weissesee |
| Operator | W. Schuchmann |
| Acquired | 1926 |
| Out of service | 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk by aircraft 25 July 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Franken-class cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 5,099 GRT, 3,206 NRT |
| Length | 409.3 ft (124.8 m) |
| Beam | 52.7 ft (16.1 m) |
| Depth | 27.9 ft (8.5 m) |
| Decks | 2 |
| Installed power | 533 NHP; 3,000 ihp |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
Weissesee was bombed and sunk by aircraft at Hamburg, Germany, on 25 July 1943. The wreck was raised in 1949 and scrapped.[4]