Kronprinz Wilhelm

The German passenger ship Kronprinz Wilhelm was equipped as an auxiliary cruiser by the small cruiser Karlsruhe after the outbreak of the war in early August of 1914. In the following eight months, the ship was able to operate successfully in the Atlantic, capturing or sinking a total of 14 ships. Since the general condition of the ship - especially those of the engines - made further operations doubtful, the captain decided to intern the ship in the USA in April 1915. Taken over by the USA in April 1917, the ship was used as the troop transport Von Steuben until 1923 when it was scrapped.