Graudenz class light cruiser

The "Graudenz" class of light cruisers was a class of two ships built for the German Imperial Navy. The ships were laid down in 1912, and completed within the first few months of World War I.

Design

Dimensions and machinery

The ships of the "Graudenz" class were 139 m at the waterline, and 142.2 m overall. The ships had a beam of 13.7 m, a draught of 5.79 m, and displaced 4,900 tonnes with a normal load, and 6,191 tonnes at full load. The ships had the typical propulsion system for German light cruisers at the time: 2 shaft Navy turbines, which delivered 26,000 shp, and a top speed of 27.5 knots. cite web|title=WWI Naval Combat|url=http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/cruisers/sms-graudenz.html|accessdate=February 20|accessyear=2008]

Armament

The "Graudenz" class cruisers had a primary armament of twelve 105mm (4.1in) SKL/45 Cal. guns mounted singly. The ships also carried two 500mm (19.7in) torpedo tubes. During the First World War, the ships' 105mm guns were replaced with seven 150mm (5.9in) guns and two 88mm (3.4in) anti-aircraft guns. During the rearmament, the ships were also given the capability to carry and deploy 120 mines.

Armor

The ships had an armored belt that ranged in thickness from a half inch to 2.5 inches thick. The thicker portions of the belt protected important areas of the ship, such as the ammunition magazines, while less critical areas, such as the bow and stern, received much less armor protection. The deck was protected by armor ranging in thickness from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

ervice history

The two ships of the "Graudenz" class participated in two of the major battles of the First World War. "Graudenz" took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915, part of the support squadron for Admiral Hipper's battlecruiser unit. "Regensburg" took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May to 1 June 1916. Both ships survived the war, "Graudenz" being handed over to Italy, and "Regensburg" being taken over by France.

References