SMS Tiger (1887)

SMS "Tiger" was a so-called "torpedo ram cruiser" ("Torpedo-Rammkreuzer" of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. An enlarged and improved version of "Panther" and "Leopard" shewas part of a program to build up Austria-Hungary's feet of torpedo craft in the 1880s. In 1906 she was converted to an admiralty yacht and renamed SMS "Lacroma."

As envisaged by the Austro-Hungarian Navy Commander ("Marinekommandant"), Vice Admiral Maximilian Daublebsky von Sterneck, "Tiger" would have a reinforced bow for ramming as well as torpedoes for attacking larger warships. She also would be small and fast enough to undertake patrol and reconnaissance duties. "Tiger's" design encompassed three weapons that fascinated naval theorists of the day--the ram, the torpedo, and the gun.

Built by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino at San Rocco, "Tiger" was launched on 28 June 1887.A steel-hulled vessel of 1,657 tons, she measured 249 feet five inches in length with a beam of 34 feet nine inches and a draft of 15 feet five inches. Propulsion was supplied by two compound steam engines with four double-ended boilers, producing 6,200 horsepower for a speed of 19.25 knots. "Tiger" had a lower profile but the same pronounced ram bow as "Panther" and "Leopard" The crew comprised 188 officers and men.

"Tiger's" armament consisted of four 12cm Krupp guns on hull sponsons, six 4.7cm quick-firingguns, four 4.7cm revolver cannon and four 14-inch torpedo tubes. Like "Panther" and "Leopard," "Tiger" was employed at first as leader of a division of torpedo boats. Later, she alternated between service on various stations, training cruises, and flag-showing visits.

"Tiger" was converted into an admiralty yacht in 1905-06 with her armament reduced to four 4.7cm Skoda guns and four 4.7cm Hotchkiss guns. The hull sponsons were removed with their associated guns. She was renamed "Lacroma" in 1906.

In 1915 "Lacroma" was completely disarmed and handed over to the new Yugoslav Navy in 1919. She was ceded to Italy in 1920 and scrapped there.

References

* Jane's Fighting Ships 1914.
* Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921.

External Link

* [http://www.kuk-kriegsmarine.at/lacroma.htm]