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.
2963 tMaximum displacement
105,0 mOverall length
20,2 knMaximum speed
257Complement
The full story
History of Gazelle
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 Between 1902 and 1904 the Gazelle was sent for foreign services. On 22.02.15 it was decommissioned and used as a hulk until it was broken down in 1920.
Operational history
Service timeline
First trials.
Because of problems with the boilers, the trials had to be stopped.
Next trials after repairs.
Boiler problems cause another stop of the trials.
Gazelle is finally commissioned and attached to the 1st Squadron.
Voyage to Spain and Portugal.
Autumn exercises of the Hochseeflotte.
Sent to the Westindies.
Operations off the Venezuelan coast.
Gazelle captures the Venezuelanian cruiser Restaurador, the ship is put under German command.
The Restaurador is towed by the cruisers to Trinidad for repairs.
Restaurador is commissioned and used for blokade operations.
The captured cruiser is given back to Venezuela.
Further operation of the Gazelle near the Venezuelean coast.
Repairs at Newport News.
The cruiser returns to Germany.
Decommissioned.
Refits, new boilers are installed.
Recommissioned as part of coastal defence forces in the Baltic Sea.
Operations in the eastern Baltic Sea, attack on the lighthouse at Steinort.
Repairs in Danzig because of engine problems.
Operations in the eastern Baltic Sea.
After a mine hit, the Gazelle loses all props. Towed to Swinemünde by the torpedo boats G132 and G134.
Because of the high repair costs, the Gazelle is decommissioned.
Used as a mine hulk in Danzig, Cuxhaven and Wilhelmshaven.
Stricken from fleet lists and scrapped in Wilhelmshaven.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 2963 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
- 6366 shp
- Speed
- 20,2 kn
- Range
- 3570 miles as 10 kn
Construction record
Gazelle
- Laid down
- Germaniawerft Kiel, 1897
- Launched
- 21.11.1899
- Commissioned
- 20.09.1900
- Fate
- scrapped in 1920