SMS Dresden (1916)

SMS "Dresden" was the second and final ship of the "Köln class" of light cruisers to be completed and commissioned in the German Imperial Navy. She was also the last German light cruiser to be commissioned into service during World War I.

Design

Dimensions and machinery

"Dresden" 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.

Armor

"Dresden" 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

"Dresden" 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

Because the ships were completed in early 1918, they had very short careers. On 11 November 1918, Germany signed an armistice ending the war, and the bulk of the modern ships in the German Imperial Navy, including "Dresden", was interned at Scapa Flow by the British Navy, pending a decision on its future. On 21 June 1919, the order to scuttle was given by Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, and "Dresden" was one of many ships successfully scuttled.

External links

* [http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/cruisers/sms-coln.html World War 1 Naval Combat]