A mature wartime cruiser
Improved armament, speed and endurance made these ships effective late-war scouts, though strategic conditions limited their use.
7125 tMaximum displacement
151,4 mOverall length
27,7 knMaximum speed
475Complement
The full story
History of Emden II
The four ships of the Königsberg II class were part of the constant development of small cruisers in Germany. Like their half sisters, the Pillau class (which original was built for Russia after modified plans of the Königsberg II class) they were equipped with 15 cm guns, giving them a much higher offensive potential than the older cruisers, only equipped with 10,5 cm guns.
Like other German small cruisers, they had a mixed coal/oil fires boiler system. They were maneuverable ships, but their stern tended to take over much water at high speed.
Emden II was also scuttled at Scapa Flow, but the scuttling was not successful, this ship was raised and delivered to France in 1920 where it was used for explosive tests.
Operational history
Service timeline
Emden II is commissioned.
Training and trials.
Emden II becomes flagship of the leader of the torpedo boat forces.
Patrol and guard duty in the North Sea.
Emden II takes part in the operations at the Baltic Islands.
Arrival in Libau and escort duties for the transports on route to the Baltic Islands
Repairs.
Together with the 2nd torpedo boat flotilla, the Emden II operates off the British east coast, attacking a British convoy. 6 transports and one escorts are sunk during this operation.
Operations in the Kattegat, Emden II, Graudenz, Frankfurt, Bremse and two torpedo boat flotillas operate against merchant shipping.
Participation in the unsuccessful fleet operation in the North Sea..
Repairs.
Send to Scapa Flow.
Emden II becomes flagship of the interned fleet at Scapa Flow.
Scuttling of the ship fails and the ship is saved by the British.
Given to France, but because of the bad conditions of the ship, it is not put in active service again.
Used for explosive tests.
Scrapped.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 7125 t
- Length (Total)
- 151,4 m
- Length (Waterline)
- 145,8 m
- Beam
- 14,2 m
- Draft
- 5,96 m
- Crew
- 475
Armament
- 15 cm
- 8
- 8,8 cm
- 2
- 50 cm Torpedo tubes
- 4
- Mines
- 200
Armor
- Deck
- 40mm (max)
- Command tower
- 60mm (max)
Machinery
- Shafts
- 2
- Turbines
- 2
- Type
- Geared turbines
Performance
- Total Performance
- 50216 shp
- Speed
- 27,7 kn
- Range
- 4850 miles as 12 kn
The archive
Models
Ship models in 1/1250 scale.
Construction record
Emden II
- Laid down
- AG Weser Bremen, 1915
- Launched
- 01.02.1916
- Commissioned
- 16.12.1916
- Fate
- scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21.06.1919, but raised and delivered to France in 1920, scrapped 1926.