The German SS Vogtland was stationed in Tandjoeng Priok in September 1939. She was confiscated there by the Government of the Dutch East Indies. When Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, the ship was seized and brought under the Dutch flag, renamed Berakit and given to the Stoomvaart-Maatschappij Nederland.

The ship left Colombo for Durban on May 5, 1943. Two days after departure, the Berakit was hit amidships by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-27. After this the ship was shelled with cannon fire for about 4 hours. The ship sank around 3:15 p.m.: Most of the crew were able to get into two lifeboats.

Four crew members lost their lives:
The captain M. S. Kruisinga, who fell into enemy hands and later died (25-2-1944 in Ashio Japan); the Javanese servant Ardjiman, who died of his injuries in the lifeboat; the Javanese servant Doelmanan becomes, as does the Lascarian cook boy Mohd. Saruque, missing.

• Stichting Maritiem Historische Databank.
  Berakit.