The Wilhelm Gustloff was a German passenger ship launched in 1937. Originally designed for leisure travel, it was repurposed during World War II to evacuate German civilians and military personnel from East Prussia as the Soviet Army advanced. On January 30, 1945, the ship was torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, resulting in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history. It is estimated that over 9,000 people lost their lives in the sinking, making it a significant event in the context of the war and maritime history.