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 Karlsruhe 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.
Karlsruhe II took part in the operations at the Baltic Islands in 1917, but was scuttled at Scapa Flow on 21.06.1919 like most other Imperial Navy ships. Its wreck was sold in 1962 and partially broken up under water in 1963-1965.
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
- 55700 shp
- Speed
- 27,7 kn
- Range
- 4850 miles as 12 kn
Construction record
Karlsruhe II
- Laid down
- Kaiserliche Werft Kiel 1915
- Launched
- 31.01.1916
- Commissioned
- 15.11.1916
- Fate
- scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21.06.1919