The foundation of the small-cruiser line
Ten compact cruisers established the combination of overseas range, fleet scouting ability and quick-firing guns developed by every following class.
3006 tMaximum displacement
105,1 mOverall length
22,2 knMaximum speed
257Complement
The full story
History of Ariadne
The Gazelle class comprised the first modern small cruisers built for the Imperial German Navy. The design began a line of development that culminated in Emden, the first German cruiser completed after World War I. With ten ships, the Gazelles were also the largest class of German small cruisers. Because construction extended from 1897 to 1904, individual ships differed in dimensions and appearance as the design evolved.
The Gazelle class introduced the 10.5 cm gun as the standard weapon for German small cruisers. This caliber remained in service even as British cruisers adopted heavier main batteries.
Already obsolete by 1914, the ships served primarily in coastal defense during World War I. Several were lost, while the survivors performed various duties after the war. None was interned at Scapa Flow. Two survivors were later converted into floating antiaircraft batteries during World War II.
The Ariadne was sunk on 28.08.1914 near Norderney by British battlecruisers after having a similar history than its sister ships.
Operational history
Service timeline
Commissioned.
One of the boilers explodes during trials, killing three crew members.
Attached to the 1st Cruiser Squadron.
Training voyage to Norway and maneuvers in the North Sea.
Attached to the new formed reconnaissance forces.
Voyage to Spain and France.
Training voyage to Norway.
The Ariadne takes part in the anual autumn fleet maneuvers in the Baltic and North Sea.
Participation in the spring fleet maneuvers, visit to Britain.
The Ariadne is used as an escort for the Imperial yacht Hohenzollern.
Fleet maneuvers, rescue operations for Linienschiff Mecklenburg which ran aground.
Escorts the Linienschiff Preussen to Copenhagen (funeral of the Danish King)
Ariadne is decommissioned and put into fleet reserve.
Recommissioned as flagship of the harbour-flotilla Jade/Weser.
In a reconnaissance operation near Helgoland, the Ariadne is attacked by two British battlecruisers. After several hits, the speed of the ship was reduced to 15 kn and several other small cruisers were sent to assist the Ariadne. Two and a half hours after the battle had started the Ariadne capsized and sunk, 64 crew members died.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 3006 t
- Length (Total)
- 105,1 m
- Length (Waterline)
- 104,1 m
- Beam
- 12,2 m
- Draft
- 5,50 m
- Crew
- 257
Armament
- 10,5 cm
- 10
- MG
- 10-14
- 45 cm Torpedo tubes
- 2
- Mines
- 120
Armor
- Deck
- 25 mm (max)
Machinery
- Shafts
- 2
- Engines
- 2
- Type
- 3-cyl tripple expansion
Performance
- Total Performance
- 8827 shp
- Speed
- 22,2 kn
- Range
- 3560 miles as 12 kn
Construction record
Ariadne
- Laid down
- A.G. Weser Bremen, 1899
- Launched
- 10.08.1900
- Commissioned
- 18.05.1901
- Fate
- Sunk on 28.08.1914 near Norderney