SMS Mainz

SMS "Mainz" was a light cruiser of the "Kolberg" class in the Imperial German Navy, launched in 1909, with 4,400 tons displacement. She was armed with twelve 10.5 cm guns and had a top speed of 27 knots. Within weeks of the outbreak of World War I, she was sunk, along with her sistership "Köln" and the light cruiser "Ariadne", in the first Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914.

Battle of Heligoland Bight

The British Harwich Force of two light cruisers and 31 destroyers under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt made a raid upon the German patrols west of the German naval base on the island of Heligoland. Providing cover was the First Battle Cruiser Squadron under Vice Admiral David Beatty with five battlecruisers.

In the early morning hours on 28 August, the Harwich Force encountered the first German destroyers west of Heligoland. Not entirely surprised by the attack, the Germans hastily deployed the two light cruisers SMS "Frauenlob" and SMS "Stettin", joined shortly afterwards by four more light cruisers steaming from Wilhelmshaven and Emden, including SMS "Mainz". Due to low water, the German battlecruisers in Wilhelmshaven were unable to leave harbour in time to provide support.

Outgunned and with his flagship, the light cruiser HMS "Arethusa", heavily damaged by "Frauenlob", Tyrwhitt received initial support from Commodore William Goodenough's squadron of six modern light cruisers of the "Southampton"-class. "Frauenlob" suffered severe damage herself and retreated to Heligoland.

"Mainz", arriving on the battlefield from Emden, initially encountered several British destroyers, but soon found herself facing Goodenough's cruisers. As "Mainz" turned away, she steamed directly into the path of Tyrwhitt's two cruisers, HMS "Arethusa" and "Fearless", and 31 destroyers. A hit from "Fearless" damaged the steering gear of "Mainz"; unable to escape, she was severely pounded in a bruising battle that left three British destroyers damaged. At 12:25 Tyrwhitt's ships ceased fire and began to rescue survivors from the doomed German ship. Some 200 were saved, including a son of Admiral Tirpitz; 89 perished. About 40 minutes later "Mainz" sank.