The 15 cm battery becomes standard
Eight heavier guns gave the class stronger striking power at the price of remaining vulnerable in close fleet action.
5200 tMaximum displacement
145 mOverall length
27,5 knMaximum speed
474Complement
The full story
History of Frankfurt
The two small cruisers Wiesbaden and Frankfurt were built under the 1912 naval construction program. They were the first German small cruisers equipped with 15 cm guns, a step to close the gap with the heavier armed British cruisers. In all other respects they were only slightly improved to their predecessors.
The Frankfurt took part in the Battle of Jutland in the 2nd Reconnaissance Group. The ship survived and did participate in the operations at the Baltic Islands. It was scuttled at Scapa Flow on 21.06.1919, but the British were able to raise the ship again. It was delivered to the USA and sunk as a target ship on 28.07.1921.
Operational history
Service timeline
Frankfurt is commissioned.
Sent to the North Sea.
With other ships of the II Reconnaissance Group, the Frankfurt covers the operation of three torpedo boat flotillas.
Used during Hochseeflotte fleet operations.
The cruiser is unsuccessfully attacked by a British submarine.
During the cover operations at the battlecruiser attack on Great Yarmouth, the cruiser sinks a British patrol boat.
As flagship of the II. Reconnaissance Group, the ship takes part at the battle of Jutland where it is not damaged.
Repairs at Kiel, the gun mountings are modified.
Frankfurt covers fleet operations.
The cruiser protects two torpedo boat flotillas near the Doggerbank.
Another torpedo boat support operation.
Patrol duty in the North Sea, training in the Baltic Sea.
Repairs in Wilhelmshaven.
Frankfurt covers mine hunters in the North Sea.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Operations at the Baltic Islands.
Reconnaissance operations in the German Beight.
During another reconnaissance operation, the Frankfurt is engaged by several British warships. While the cover group of German battleships and battlecruisers support the cruiser, the Frankfurt is hit several times.
Repairs in Kiel.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Together with Emden II, Graudenz and Bremse, the Frankfurt operates at Jutland against allied merchant shipping.
Mine operations.
Operations in the Baltic Sea.
Because of a prop damage, the ship is sent to Wilhelmshaven for repairs.
Repairs.
During training exercises, the Frankfurt rams the U-boat UB89 which sinks after the collision.
Interned at Scapa Flow.
The attempt to scuttle the ship fails, and the ship is towed into shallow water.
The ship is raised.
Taken over by the USA, the Frankfurt is transferred to Cape Henry.
Sunk by a bomb during an experimental air attack.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 5200 t
- Length (Total)
- 145 m
- Beam
- 14 m
- Draft
- 6 m
- Crew
- 474
Armament
- 15 cm
- 8
- 5,2 cm
- 4
- 50 cm Torpedo tubes
- 4
- Mines
- 120
Armor
- Deck
- 40 mm (max)
- Belt
- 60 mm (max)
Machinery
- Shafts
- 2
- Turbines
- 2
- Type
- Geared Turbines
Performance
- Total Performance
- 31000 shp
- Speed
- 27,5 kn
- Range
- 4800 miles as 12 kn
The archive
Photographs
Construction record
Frankfurt
- Laid down
- Kaiserliche Werft Kiel, 1913
- Launched
- 20.03.1915
- Commissioned
- 20.08.1915
- Fate
- sunk as target ship 28.07.1921