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.
3158 tMaximum displacement
105,0 mOverall length
21,5 knMaximum speed
257Complement
The full story
History of Frauenlob
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.
All ships were used for fleet service until the outbreak of the war. The Frauenlob was one of the few losses of this class. On 31.05.1916 it was sunk by a torpedo fired by the British cruiser Southampton.
Operational history
Service timeline
Commissioned.
Training and trials.
Attached to the 1st Cruiser Squadron.
Training and trials.
Voyage to Spain and France.
Training voyage to Norway.
Repairs and refits in Wilhelmshaven.
Fleet exercises with the Hochseeflotte in North and Baltic Sea.
Fleet exercises with the Hochseeflotte in North Sea.
Exercises with the reconnaissance forces in the North Sea.
Fleet exercises with the Hochseeflotte in North Sea.
Voyage to Britain, the Netherlands and Norway.
Autumn fleet maneuvers.
>Fleet exercises in the Baltic Sea.
Meeting with the British Channel Squadron at Swinemünde.
Repairs in Wilhelmshaven.
Participation at a fleet parade.
Decommissioned.
Refits in Wilhelmshaven, four main guns are removed and 10 additional 3,7 cm guns are installed.
Commissioned and attached to the IVth reconnaissance group.
Battle in the German Beight. While covering returning patrol boats, the cruiser is attacked by the British cruiser Arethusa and 6 destroyers. Frauenlob is hit 10 times.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Fleet operations in the North Sea.
Battle of Jutland: during the night battle, the Frauenlob is hit by a torpedo of the British cruiser Southampton. The German cruiser capsizes and sinks at 23:35, only 9 crew members are rescued.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 3158 t
- Length (Total)
- 105,0 m
- Length (Waterline)
- 104,4 m
- Beam
- 12,2 m
- Draft
- 4,84 m
- Crew
- 257
Armament
- 10,5 cm
- 10
- MG
- 10-14
- 45 cm Torpedo tubes
- 3
- Mines
- 120
Armor
- Deck
- 25 mm (max)
Machinery
- Shafts
- 2
- Engines
- 2
- Type
- 3-cyl tripple expansion
Performance
- Total Performance
- 8623 shp
- Speed
- 21,5 kn
- Range
- 4400 miles as 12 kn
The archive
Photographs
Construction record
Frauenlob
- Laid down
- AG. Weser Bremen, 1901
- Launched
- 22.03.1902
- Commissioned
- 17.03.1903
- Fate
- Sunk by British cruiser Southampton on 31.05.1916