SMS Köln (1916)

SMS "Köln" was a light cruiser in the German Imperial Navy, the second to bear this name, after her predecessor SMS "Köln" had been lost in the Battle of Heligoland. The ship, first of her class, was launched on 5 October 1916 at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, part of new class of light cruisers with higher speed and heavier guns than the earlier designs.

Design

Dimensions and machinery

"Köln" was 149.8m at the waterline, and 155.5m overall. The ship had a beam of 14.2m, and a draught of 6.22m, and displaced 6,195 tons at standard load, and 8252 tons at full load. She was powered by 2 two-shaft dual-fuel (coal & oil) turbines, which produced 31,000shp, and a top speed of 27.5 knots, although in trials, "Köln" achieved 48,708shp on her turbines, and a top speed of 29.3 knots.

Armor

"Köln" was protected by an armored belt, 2.5 inches thick at its strongest point, and .5 inches at its thinnest. The ship's deck was protected by 1 inch to 2.5 inches of armor plate.

Armament

"Köln" was armed with eight 5.9 inch (150mm) guns in single turrets, three 3.4 inch (88mm) guns in single turrets, and four 23.6 inch (600mm) torpedo tubes. She also carried 200 mines.

ervice history

The ship was completed too late to see much action in World War I. Along with the rest of the German fleet, SMS "Köln" was interned after the end of the war at Scapa Flow, where her crew scuttled her on 21 June 1919. Unlike most of the other wrecks, she was not salvaged and, lying at a depth of about 35 m, is today a popular diving target since she remains largely intact (except for the two forward turrets, the propellers and the anchor).

External links

* [http://www.ccom.unh.edu/scapa/koln.html Wreck of the "Köln" in Scapa Flow]
* [http://www.oceanzonedivers.com/wrecks/uk/koln.html Diving in Scapa Flow: "Köln"]
* [http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/cruisers/sms-coln.html World War 1 Naval Combat]