HMS Helmuth was an armed tug of the British Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

. Formally a German vessel, she was captured by the British at the beginning of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 and placed into service as a picket. She was involved in several actions of the East African campaign including the Battle of Zanzibar

Battle of Zanzibar (1914)

The Battle of Zanzibar was a naval battle of the First World War between the Kaiserliche Marine and the Royal Navy. The German cruiser had been taking on coal in the delta of the Rufiji River when her crew were told that a British cruiser—, which had been part of the Royal Navy's Cape Squadron...

, the Raid on Dar es Salaam, blockading SMS Konigsberg in the Rujifi delta, and the Battle of Tanga

Battle of Tanga

The Battle of Tanga, sometimes also known as the Battle of the Bees, was the unsuccessful attack by the British Indian Expeditionary Force “B” under Major General A.E. Aitken to capture German East Africa during World War I in concert with the invasion Force “C” near Longido on the slopes of...

.

Career

At the beginning of World War I, Helmuth was present in Zanzibar Harbour under the German flag. Several prominent Germans in Zanzibar had planned to use her in order to sail to German East Africa and escape internment, but her engines were in disrepair and she was seized by the British before any use could be made of her. The British set about repairing her and armed her with a three pounder gun.

Placed under the command of C. J. Charlewood, Helmuth was used as a picket ship at the entrance of Zanzibar Harbour. When the Konigsberg appeared at the entrance of the harbor on 20 September 1914, she was unable to warn the cruiser , which was in port repairing her engines. In the ensuing engagement

Battle of Zanzibar (1914)

The Battle of Zanzibar was a naval battle of the First World War between the Kaiserliche Marine and the Royal Navy. The German cruiser had been taking on coal in the delta of the Rufiji River when her crew were told that a British cruiser—, which had been part of the Royal Navy's Cape Squadron...

, Pegasus was sunk. Upon leaving the harbor, Konigsberg fired several shots at Helmuth driving her crew overboard and killing a native working in the engine room. Helmuth was only lightly damaged, and was recovered by the British.

On 2 November, during the leadup to the Battle of Tanga

Battle of Tanga

The Battle of Tanga, sometimes also known as the Battle of the Bees, was the unsuccessful attack by the British Indian Expeditionary Force “B” under Major General A.E. Aitken to capture German East Africa during World War I in concert with the invasion Force “C” near Longido on the slopes of...

, Helmuth was tasked with sweeping the harbour for mines in anticipation of the British landing, though ultimately none were found. On 28 November 1914, Helmuth accompanied the cruiser and the battleship to Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...

. The ships were involved in inspecting suspected German passenger ships when the inspecting officers were fired on by German troops.