PROTECTED CRUISERS.
KAISERIN AUGUSTA.
(Completed 1893.)
This is the oldest German protected cruiser in service. Launched in 1892, she has a displacement of 5,900 tons, and a speed of 20 knots. She is armed with twelve 5·9-in. quick-firing guns, and eight 21-pounders, with three torpedo tubes. There is a thick steel deck, which extends from bow to stern. The complement is 439 officers and men.
VICTORIA LUISE.
HERTHA.
VINETA.
HANSA.
FREYA.
(Completed 1898-99.)
These are vessels of 5,600 tons displacement, and belong to the training squadron for cadets and boys. They can steam at about 19 knots, but the small coal capacity of 900 tons limits their radius of action. The armament consists of two 8·2-in. guns in single armoured turrets, six 5·9-in., and fourteen 21-pounder quick-firers with three torpedo tubes.
Amidships there is a 4-in. protective deck, and armour of the same thickness protects the guns. A complement of 465 officers and men is carried.
GEFION.
(Completed 1894.)
This is a protected cruiser of 3,700 tons, with a speed of about 19 knots, armed with ten 4·1-in. and six smaller quick-firers. There are no torpedo tubes. A complement of 296 officers and men is carried.
HELA.
(Completed 1896.)
The “Hela” is a small cruiser of 2,000 tons, with a nominal speed of 20 knots. She is armed with two 21-pounder and four smaller guns, and has three torpedo tubes. There is a steel deck over boilers and machinery. The complement is 191 officers and men.
GAZELLE.
NIOBE.
(Completed 1898-1901.)
These vessels were the first fast light cruisers which Germany has built in such numbers during recent years. The displacement is 2,600 tons, and the present speed about 201⁄2 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two submerged torpedo tubes. With coal bunkers full the steaming radius at moderate speed is 4,000 knots. A 2-in. steel deck protects boilers and engines from shell fire. Complement: 270 officers and men.
NYMPHE.
THETIS.
ARIADNE.
AMAZONE.
MEDUSA.
FRAUENLOB.
UNDINE.
ARKONA.[5]
(Completed 1901-03.)
These ships are protected cruisers of 2,620 tons, with a speed of about 211⁄2 knots. Armament: Ten 4·1-in. quick-firers and two torpedo tubes. There is a 2-in. curved deck over boilers and machinery spaces. With a full coal supply on board, these cruisers have a steaming radius at low speed of slightly more than 4,000 knots. The complement numbers 275 officers and men.
[5] Fitted as a mine-layer.
HAMBURG.
BREMEN.
BERLIN.
DANZIG.
MÜNCHEN.
LÜBECK.
LEIPZIG.
(Completed 1904-06.)
These are protected cruisers of 3,200 tons, with a speed of over 22 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Starting with coal bunkers full, they are capable of steaming 5,000 knots at low speed without re-coaling. A complement of 303 officers and men is carried.
KŒNIGSBERG.
(Completed 1907.)
A protected cruiser of 3,350 tons, with a maximum speed of 24 knots. She was launched in 1905. Armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The radius of action at low speed is 5,000 knots. Complement: 322 officers and men.
STUTTGART.
STETTIN.
NURNBERG.
(Completed 1908.)
Protected cruisers of 3,350 tons, which are able to travel at nearly 25 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The steaming radius at economical speed is 5,500 knots. Complement, 322 officers and men.
DRESDEN.
EMDEN.
(Completed 1907-08.)
Protected cruisers of 3,540 tons, with a maximum speed of 241⁄2 knots. The armament consists of ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The steaming radius at low speed is about 5,800 knots. Complement, 361 officers and men.
KOLBERG.
MAINZ.
AUGSBURG.
CÖLN.
(Completed 1909-11.)
Protected cruisers of 4,280 tons, turbine driven, with a trial speed of nearly 27 knots. They are armed with twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. Their radius of action with bunkers full is nearly 6,000 knots. The complements consists of 379 officers and men.
MAGDEBURG.
BRESLAU.
STRASSBURG.
STRALSUND.
(Completed 1912.)
Fast cruisers of 4,478 tons, able to steam at nearly 28 knots. They are armed with twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. On the water-line there is 4-in. vertical armour, so that these vessels are, strictly speaking, armoured cruisers. They have a large coal supply, and can cover more than 6,000 knots without taking in fresh fuel. Complement: 370 officers and men.
ROSTOCK.
KARLSRUHE.
GRAUDENZ.
REGENSBURG.
(Completed 1913-14.)
These are the very latest fast light cruisers. They have a maximum speed of 28 knots. The armament is twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. At the water-line there is an armour belt 4-in. thick, and much internal protection. The radius of action at economical speed is 6,500 knots. A complement of 373 officers and men is carried.