Profile drawing of Medusa
Floating AA batteryWartime role

Design and service

The story of Medusa

After World War I, Germany was only allowed to keep a few ships of the former Imperial Navy, part of them several CL of the Gazelle-Class. Being obsolete in the mid 1930s, most ships were scrapped or used as depot ships and none was still in active service at the beginning of World War II.

Two ships of this class, the Arcona (commissioned 1903) and Medusa (commissioned 1901) were modified to floating AA Batteries in 1940 and re-commissioned in May and June of 1940. Since their engines were seen as too obsolete for further use, they were disabled and the ships had to be town into their positions.

The Medusa stayed in German waters and was badly damaged during an air attack on 19.04.1945. In May of 1945 it was scuttled by its own crew in Wilhelmshaven and scrapped after the war.

At a glance

Technical profile

Dimensions, armament and performance.

Dimensions

Size (Max)
2657 t
Length (Total)
105,00 m
Length (Waterline)
104,40 m
Beam
12,30 m
Draft
5,00 m

Armament

10,5 cm Flak
5
3,7 cm
2
2 cm MG
4

Machinery

Shafts
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Engines
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Type
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Performance

Total Performance
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Speed
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Range
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Construction record

Medusa

Laid down
AG. Weser Bremen, 1900
Launched
05.12.1900
Commissioned
26.07.1901 (July 1940 as floating AA battery)
Fate
scrapped 1948 1949