In late January 1945, the Germans began a mass evacuation of soldiers and civilians from East Prussia and Danzig, which were threatened by the advance of Soviet forces. On 10 February T196 and the torpedo recovery vessel TF19 were escorting the liner Steuben from Pillau, when the Soviet submarine S-13 torpedoed and sank Steuben. Only about 300 of the more than 3000 aboard could be saved.
