Balanced ships for fleet service
Compact dimensions, turbine machinery and a practical gun layout produced versatile cruisers later rearmed with 15 cm weapons.
6382 tMaximum displacement
142,7 mOverall length
27,5 knMaximum speed
385Complement
The full story
History of Graudenz
The two small cruisers Graudenz and Regensburg were quite similar to other German small cruisers build earlier. With those ships, the design returned to three funnels which would be a typical sign for all following ships. They were the last cruisers with 10,5 cm guns, their British counterparts had gone to bigger guns at that time already, but the Germans preferred more smaller guns instead of a smaller number of more powerful ones. When it became clear that the bigger British guns had an significant advantage, the 10,5 cm guns were replaced by seven 15cm guns during the war.
The Graudenz was used in the reconnaissance forces and took part in the battle at the Doggerbank. It was delivered to Italy in 1920, renamed Ancona and operated until 1937 when it was broken down
Operational history
Service timeline
Graudenz is commissioned.
Assigned as flagship of the 2nd leader of the torpedo boats.
Used for patrol duties in the German Beight.
Sent to the eastern Baltic Sea.
Raid against the British East Coast, short battle with the British torpedo gun boat Halcyon.
Raid against the British East Coast.
During an air attack against the air ship hangars at Nordholz, the Graudenz is attacks as well. One near miss 200 meters away from the small cruiser.
Operation near Amrum.
Graudenz takes part in the Battle at the Doggerbank, but has no contact with the enemy.
Refits and repairs.
Bombardment of Polangen in the Baltic Sea.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Together with the cruisers Straßburg, Pillau and Rostock, the Graudenz lays a mine field near Swarte Bank.
Participation in fleet operations.
Mine operation at the Doggerbank.
Operation north of Borkum.
Participation in fleet operations.
Operations in the eastern Baltic Sea.
Together with the Pillau, the Graudenz takes part in a rescue operation to assist two damaged torpedo boats.
Another mine operation at the Swarte Bank.
Participation in fleet operations.
Decommissioned for refits in Kiel: The 10,5 cm guns are removed and replaced by 15 cm and 8,8 cm guns.
Recommissioned.
Participation in fleet operations.
Participation in fleet operations.
Participation in fleet operations. On the way back to Germany the Graudenz is hit by a mine.
Repairs in Wilhelmshaven.
Participation in fleet operations.
Participation in fleet operations.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Operations near the Hoofden.
Operations near the Hoofden.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Training in the Baltic Sea.
Together with the Emden, Frankfurt, Bremse and 17 torpedo boats, the Graudenz operates near Jutland to control merchant shipping. 7 ships are captured.
Another control operation near Jutland.
Participation in fleet operations.
Participation in fleet operations.
Operation into the German Beight.
Graudenz assists the torpedo boat T190 during heavy weather.
Graudenz is taken over by Italy as "Kreuzer E ".
Renamed to Ancona, the ship is commissioned in Italian services.
Put into fleet reserve status.
Stricken from fleet list.
Scrapped.
At a glance
Technical profile
Dimensions, armament, protection and performance.
Dimensions
- Size (Max)
- 6382 t
- Length (Total)
- 142,7 m
- Length (Waterline)
- 139,9 m
- Beam
- 13,8 m
- Draft
- 5,75 m
- Crew
- 385
Armament
- 15 cm
- 7 (since 1915)
- 10,5 cm
- 12 (until 1915)
- 8,8 cm
- 2 (since 1915)
- 50 cm Torpedo tubes
- 2 (4 since 1915)
- Mines
- 120
Armor
- Deck
- 40 mm (max)
- Belt
- 60 mm (max)
Machinery
- Shafts
- 2
- Turbines
- 2
- Type
- Geared Turbines
Performance
- Total Performance
- 26000 shp
- Speed
- 27,5 kn
- Range
- 5500 miles as 12 kn
Construction record
Graudenz
- Laid down
- Kaiserliche Werft Kiel, 1912
- Launched
- 25.10.1913
- Commissioned
- 10.08.1914
- Fate
- scrapped 1937