Dresden class cruiser

Class overview
Builders:	Blohm & Voss and Kaiserliche Werft Danzig
Operators:	Kaiserliche Marine
Preceded by:	Königsberg class
Succeeded by:	Kolberg class
Planned:	Two
Completed:	Two
Lost:	Two
General characteristics
Displacement:	3,364 tons normal
Length:	118 m (387 ft)
Beam:	13.4 m (44 ft)
Draught:	5.3 m (17 ft)
Propulsion:	Dresden:Two 15,000 shaft horsepower (12 MW) Parsons turbines driving two propellers Emden:Twelve boilers, two 16,000 shaft horsepower (12 MW) 3-cylinder triple expansion reciprocating steam engines driving two propellers
Speed:	Dresden:25 knots (46.3 km/h) Emden:23 knots (42.6 km/h)
Range:	3,700 miles (6,000 km)
Complement:	361
Armament:	Ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) rapid fire guns (10 x 1), and two torpedo-tubes
Armor:	Deck 13 mm (0.51 in), Belt 51 mm (2.0 in), Conning tower 102 mm (4.0 in)

The Dresden class of light cruisers was a class of two ships built for the German Imperial Navy in the early part of the 20th century. The class was composed of Dresden and Emden. Dresden and Emden both participated in well known battles during World War I. Dresden was the only ship to escape destruction at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, and Emden raided merchant shipping in the Indian Ocean, until she was forced to beach by the Australian cruiser Sydney.

Construction

The two ships were laid down in 1907 and 1906, and finished in 1908 and 1909, respectively. Dresden was built at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, at a cost of 7,460,000 Marks. Emden was built at the Imperial Dockyard in Danzig, at a cost of 5,960,000 Marks.

Design

Left elevation and deck plan as depicted in Jane's Fighting Ships 1914

Dimensions and machinery

The Dresden class was 117.9 m at the waterline, and 118.3 m overall. They had a beam of 13.5 m, draught of 5.54 m, and displaced 3,664 tonnes with a standard load, and 4,268 tons full load. Emden was powered by two shaft triple expansion engines that produced 13,500 shaft horsepower (10,100 kW), and a rated top speed of 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h), although in trials reached 24 knots (44 km/h). Dresden was powered by two shaft Parson turbines, which delivered 15,000 shaft horsepower (11,000 kW) and a top speed of 24 knots (44 km/h). In trials, Dresden's turbines were pushed to 18,880 shp (14,080 kW), and a top speed of 25.2 knots (46.7 km/h).

Armament and armor

The ships of the Dresden class were armed with ten 105 mm (4.1 inch) guns, four in single barbettes mounted fore and aft, and the remaining six in casemates. The ships were also armed with eight 52 mm (2 inch) guns, and two 450 mm (17.7 inch) torpedo tubes. The deck was protected by a half inch to 1.5 inches (38 mm) of armor, and the 105 mm guns had 2-inch (51 mm) thick gun shields.

See also

Media related to Dresden class cruiser at Wikimedia Commons

External links

• World War 1 Naval Combat