Köln class light cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Cöln class of light cruiser
s was Germany's last class commissioned before her defeat in World War I
. Originally planned to comprise ten ships, only two were completed; and . Five were launched, but not completed: Wiesbaden, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Rostock and Frauenlob, while another three were laid down but not launched: Ersatz
Cöln, Ersatz Emden and Ersatz Karlsruhe. The design was a slightly modified version of the preceding Königsberg class.
Cöln and Dresden joined the High Seas Fleet
in 1918, which limited their service careers. They were assigned to the II Scouting Group, and participated in an abortive fleet operation to Norway to attack British convoys. They were to have led attacks on British merchant traffic designed to lure out the British Grand Fleet and force a climactic fleet battle in the final days of the war, but the Wilhelmshaven Mutiny
forced the cancellation of the plan. The two ships were interned and eventually scuttled in Scapa Flow
in June 1919. Dresden was beached by British sailors before she could completely sink, and she was broken up for scrap. Cöln remains on the bottom of Scapa Flow
.
s had been lost in the course of World War I. To replace them, the Kaiserliche Marine ordered ten new cruisers built to a modified Königsberg class design. All ten ships were laid down in 1915 and 1916. Cöln was built by the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Bremen
. Wiesbaden and Rostock were built at AG Vulcan in Stettin, and Leipzig, Ersatz Cöln, and Ersatz Emden were ordered from the AG Weser
dockyard in Bremen
. Dresden and Magdeburg were built at the Howaldtswerke
shipyard in Kiel, while Frauenlob and Ersatz Karlsruhe were built by the Imperial Dockyard
in Kiel.
Cöln and Dresden, the only two ships to be completed, were launched on 5 October 1916 and 25 April 1917, respectively. Wiesbaden was launched in 3 March 1917 and was five months away from completion when she was canceled in December 1918. Magdeburg followed on 17 November 1917; she was nine months from being finished when she was canceled. Leipzig was launched on 28 January 1918 and canceled seven months from completion. Rostock followed on 6 April, and also was seven months away from being finished. Frauenlob, the last ship of the class to be launched, on 16 September, was about thirteen months away from completion when she was canceled. The last three ships were canceled while still on the slipway.
of 14.2 m (46.6 ft) and a draft
of 6.01 m (19.7 ft) forward and 6.43 m (21.1 ft) aft. The ships had a designed displacement of 5620 metric tons (5,531.2 LT), and at full combat load, they displaced 7486 MT (7,367.7 LT). Their hulls
were built with longitudinal steel frames. The hulls were divided into twenty-four watertight compartments and incorporated a double bottom
that extended for forty-five per cent of the length of the keel
. The ships had a complement of 17 officers and 542 enlisted men. They carried several smaller vessels, including one picket boat, one barge, one cutter, two yawl
s, and two dinghies
. The German Navy regarded the ships as good sea boats, having gentle motion. The ships were highly maneuverable and had a tight turning radius, and but lost speed going into a turn; in hard turns, they lost up to sixty percent of their speed. They were stern-heavy.
The ships' propulsion systems consisted of two steam turbine
s powered by eight coal-fired boilers
and six oil-fired boilers. The turbines drove a pair of three-bladed screws, which were 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in diameter. The engines were rated at 31000 shp for a top speed of 27.5 knots (15 m/s). On trials, Cöln reached 48708 shp and a top speed of 29.3 kn (16 m/s), while Dresden made 49428 shp and 27.8 kn (15.1 m/s). Coal storage was 300 MT (295.3 LT) as designed, though up to 1100 MT (1,082.6 LT) could be carried. Fuel oil was initially 200 MT (196.8 LT), and could be similarly increased to 1050 MT (1,033.4 LT). At a cruising speed of 12 kn (6.5 m/s), Cöln could steam for approximately 6000 nautical miles (11,112 km), while Dresden could steam for 5400 nmi (10,000.8 km) at the same speed. At a higher speed of 25 kn (13.6 m/s), the range fell considerably, to 1200 nmi (2,222.4 km). Electrical power was provided by two turbo generators and one diesel
generator, with a total output of 300 kilowatts at 220 volt
s. Steering was controlled by a single, large rudder.
, four were located amidships, two on either side, and two were arranged in a super firing pair
aft. Aboard Cöln, the forward pair of amidships guns were placed on the forecastle deck, while on the rest of the ships in the class, they were placed one deck lower, on the upper deck. These guns fired a 45.3 kilograms (99.9 lb) shell at a muzzle velocity
of 840 m/s. The guns had a maximum elevation of 30 degrees, which allowed them to engage targets out to 17600 m (57,742.8 ft). They were supplied with 1,040 rounds of ammunition, for 130 shells per gun. The ships also carried three 8.8 cm (3.5 in) L/45 anti-aircraft guns mounted on the centerline astern of the funnels, though one was removed in 1918. These guns fired a 10 kg (22 lb) shells at a muzzle velocity of 750 metre per second. She was also equipped with four 60 cm (23.6 in) torpedo tube
s with eight torpedoes in deck-mounted swivel launchers amidships. The ships were also outfitted to carry up to 200 mines
.
The Cöln class ships were protected by an armored belt composed of Krupp cemented steel. It was 60 mm (2.4 in) thick amidships and 18 mm (0.708661417322835 in) forward. The stern was not protected by armor. The armored deck was 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) thick in the stern, 40 mm (1.6 in) thick amidships, and 60 mm thick forward. Sloped armor 40 mm thick connected the deck and belt armor. The conning tower
had 100 mm (3.9 in) thick sides and a 20 mm thick roof. The main battery guns were protected with 50 mm (2 in) thick gun shields.
. They were assigned to the II Scouting Group, alongside the cruisers , , , , and . The ships were in service in time for the major fleet operation to Norway in 23–24 April 1918. The I Scouting Group
and II Scouting Group, along with the Second Torpedo-Boat Flotilla were to attack a heavily-guarded British convoy to Norway, with the rest of the High Seas Fleet steaming in support. The Germans failed to locate the convoy, which had in fact sailed the day before the fleet left port. As a result, Admiral Reinhard Scheer
broke off the operation and returned to port.
In October 1918, the two ships and the rest of the II Scouting Group were to lead a final attack on the British navy. Cöln, Dresden, Pillau, and Königsberg were to attack merchant shipping in the Thames estuary
while the rest of the Group were to bombard targets in Flanders
, to draw out the British Grand Fleet. Großadmiral
Reinhard Scheer
, the commander in chief of the fleet, intended to inflict as much damage as possible on the British navy, in order to secure a better bargaining position for Germany, whatever the cost to the fleet. On the morning of 29 October 1918, the order was given to sail from Wilhelmshaven the following day. Starting on the night of 29 October, sailors on and then on several other battleships mutinied
.
During the sailors' revolt, the crew of the battleship refused to move out of Dresdens way; she aimed one of her 30.5 cm (12 in) gun turrets at Dresden, but then backed down and let Dresden leave the port. The ship then went to Swinemünde, where she was partially scuttled and subsequently re-floated and returned to seaworthy condition. The unrest ultimately forced Hipper and Scheer to cancel the operation. When informed of the situation, the Kaiser stated, "I no longer have a navy." Following the capitulation of Germany in November 1918, most of the High Seas Fleet's ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter
, were interned in the British naval base in Scapa Flow. Cöln and Dresden were among the ships interned.
The fleet remained in captivity during the negotiations that ultimately produced the Versailles Treaty. Von Reuter believed that the British intended to seize the German ships on 21 June 1919, which was the deadline for Germany to have signed the peace treaty. Unaware that the deadline had been extended to the 23rd, Reuter ordered the ships to be sunk at the next opportunity. On the morning of 21 June, the British fleet left Scapa Flow to conduct training maneuvers, and at 11:20 Reuter transmitted the order to his ships. Cöln sank at 13:50 and was never raised for scrapping. Dresden was boarded by British sailors who managed to beach her before she sank. She was eventually broken up for scrap in 1920.
The eight ships that were not completed by the end of the war were formally stricken from the naval register on 17 November 1919. Wiesbaden was broken up for scrap in 1920 after she was briefly considered for completion. Magdeburg was sold on 28 October 1921 for 1,300,000 marks and broken up the next year at Kiel-Nordmole. Leipzig and Rostock were sold in 1921 and scrapped in Hamburg. Frauenlob was towed to the Deutsche Werke
shipyard in 1921 and broken up. Ersatz Karlsruhe was dismantled on the slipway in 1920, and Ersatz Cöln and Ersatz Emden were sold for 400,000 marks apiece on 21 and 25 June 1921, respectively. They were scrapped that year in Hamburg.
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s was Germany's last class commissioned before her defeat in 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...
. Originally planned to comprise ten ships, only two were completed; and . Five were launched, but not completed: Wiesbaden, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Rostock and Frauenlob, while another three were laid down but not launched: Ersatz
Ersatz
Ersatz means 'substituting for, and typically inferior in quality to', e.g. 'chicory is ersatz coffee'. It is a German word literally meaning substitute or replacement...
Cöln, Ersatz Emden and Ersatz Karlsruhe. The design was a slightly modified version of the preceding Königsberg class.
Cöln and Dresden joined the High Seas Fleet
High Seas Fleet
The High Seas Fleet was the battle fleet of the German Empire and saw action during World War I. The formation was created in February 1907, when the Home Fleet was renamed as the High Seas Fleet. Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz was the architect of the fleet; he envisioned a force powerful enough to...
in 1918, which limited their service careers. They were assigned to the II Scouting Group, and participated in an abortive fleet operation to Norway to attack British convoys. They were to have led attacks on British merchant traffic designed to lure out the British Grand Fleet and force a climactic fleet battle in the final days of the war, but the Wilhelmshaven Mutiny
Wilhelmshaven mutiny
The Kiel mutiny was a major revolt by sailors of the German High Seas Fleet on 3 November 1918. The revolt triggered the German revolution which was to sweep aside the monarchy within a few days. It ultimately led to the end of the First World War and to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.-...
forced the cancellation of the plan. The two ships were interned and eventually scuttled in Scapa Flow
Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow
The scuttling of the German fleet took place at the Royal Navy's base at Scapa Flow, in Scotland, after the end of the First World War. The High Seas Fleet had been interned there under the terms of the Armistice whilst negotiations took place over the fate of the ships...
in June 1919. Dresden was beached by British sailors before she could completely sink, and she was broken up for scrap. Cöln remains on the bottom of Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow
right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about...
.
Design
By 1916, thirteen German light cruiserLight cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
s had been lost in the course of World War I. To replace them, the Kaiserliche Marine ordered ten new cruisers built to a modified Königsberg class design. All ten ships were laid down in 1915 and 1916. Cöln was built by the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
. Wiesbaden and Rostock were built at AG Vulcan in Stettin, and Leipzig, Ersatz Cöln, and Ersatz Emden were ordered from the AG Weser
AG Weser
Aktien-Gesellschaft Weser was one of the great German shipbuilding companies, located at the Weser River in Bremen. Founded in 1873 it was finally closed in 1983. Altogether, AG Weser built about 1400 ships of different types, including many war ships...
dockyard in Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
. Dresden and Magdeburg were built at the Howaldtswerke
Howaldtswerke
Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft is a German shipbuilding company, headquartered in Kiel. In 2009 it was the largest shipyard in Germany and has more than 2,400 employees. It has been part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems owned by ThyssenKrupp, since 2005...
shipyard in Kiel, while Frauenlob and Ersatz Karlsruhe were built by the Imperial Dockyard
Kaiserliche Werft Kiel
Kaiserliche Werft Kiel was a German shipbuilding company founded in 1867, first as Königliche Werft Kiel but renamed in 1871 with the proclamation of the German Empire...
in Kiel.
Cöln and Dresden, the only two ships to be completed, were launched on 5 October 1916 and 25 April 1917, respectively. Wiesbaden was launched in 3 March 1917 and was five months away from completion when she was canceled in December 1918. Magdeburg followed on 17 November 1917; she was nine months from being finished when she was canceled. Leipzig was launched on 28 January 1918 and canceled seven months from completion. Rostock followed on 6 April, and also was seven months away from being finished. Frauenlob, the last ship of the class to be launched, on 16 September, was about thirteen months away from completion when she was canceled. The last three ships were canceled while still on the slipway.
General characteristics and machinery
The ships of the class were 149.8 metres (491.5 ft) long at the waterline and 155.5 m (510.2 ft) long overall. They had a beamBeam (nautical)
The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point. Generally speaking, the wider the beam of a ship , the more initial stability it has, at expense of reserve stability in the event of a capsize, where more energy is required to right the vessel from its inverted position...
of 14.2 m (46.6 ft) and a draft
Draft (hull)
The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
of 6.01 m (19.7 ft) forward and 6.43 m (21.1 ft) aft. The ships had a designed displacement of 5620 metric tons (5,531.2 LT), and at full combat load, they displaced 7486 MT (7,367.7 LT). Their hulls
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
were built with longitudinal steel frames. The hulls were divided into twenty-four watertight compartments and incorporated a double bottom
Double bottom
A double bottom is a ship hull design and construction method where the bottom of the ship has two complete layers of watertight hull surface: one outer layer forming the normal hull of the ship, and a second inner hull which is somewhat higher in the ship, perhaps a few feet, which forms a...
that extended for forty-five per cent of the length of the keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
. The ships had a complement of 17 officers and 542 enlisted men. They carried several smaller vessels, including one picket boat, one barge, one cutter, two yawl
Yawl
A yawl is a two-masted sailing craft similar to a sloop or cutter but with an additional mast located well aft of the main mast, often right on the transom, specifically aft of the rudder post. A yawl (from Dutch Jol) is a two-masted sailing craft similar to a sloop or cutter but with an...
s, and two dinghies
Dinghy
A dinghy is a type of small boat, often carried or towed for use as a ship's boat by a larger vessel. It is a loanword from either Bengali or Urdu. The term can also refer to small racing yachts or recreational open sailing boats. Utility dinghies are usually rowboats or have an outboard motor,...
. The German Navy regarded the ships as good sea boats, having gentle motion. The ships were highly maneuverable and had a tight turning radius, and but lost speed going into a turn; in hard turns, they lost up to sixty percent of their speed. They were stern-heavy.
The ships' propulsion systems consisted of two steam turbine
Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....
s powered by eight coal-fired boilers
Water-tube boiler
A water tube boiler is a type of boiler in which water circulates in tubes heated externally by the fire. Fuel is burned inside the furnace, creating hot gas which heats water in the steam-generating tubes...
and six oil-fired boilers. The turbines drove a pair of three-bladed screws, which were 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in diameter. The engines were rated at 31000 shp for a top speed of 27.5 knots (15 m/s). On trials, Cöln reached 48708 shp and a top speed of 29.3 kn (16 m/s), while Dresden made 49428 shp and 27.8 kn (15.1 m/s). Coal storage was 300 MT (295.3 LT) as designed, though up to 1100 MT (1,082.6 LT) could be carried. Fuel oil was initially 200 MT (196.8 LT), and could be similarly increased to 1050 MT (1,033.4 LT). At a cruising speed of 12 kn (6.5 m/s), Cöln could steam for approximately 6000 nautical miles (11,112 km), while Dresden could steam for 5400 nmi (10,000.8 km) at the same speed. At a higher speed of 25 kn (13.6 m/s), the range fell considerably, to 1200 nmi (2,222.4 km). Electrical power was provided by two turbo generators and one diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
generator, with a total output of 300 kilowatts at 220 volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s. Steering was controlled by a single, large rudder.
Armament and armor
The ship was armed with eight 15 cm SK L/45 guns in single pedestal mounts. Two were placed side by side forward on the forecastleForecastle
Forecastle refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship forward of the foremast, or the forward part of a ship with the sailors' living quarters...
, four were located amidships, two on either side, and two were arranged in a super firing pair
Superfire
The idea of superfire is to locate two turrets in a row, one behind the other, but with the second turret located above the one in front so that the second turret could fire over the first...
aft. Aboard Cöln, the forward pair of amidships guns were placed on the forecastle deck, while on the rest of the ships in the class, they were placed one deck lower, on the upper deck. These guns fired a 45.3 kilograms (99.9 lb) shell at a muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity
Muzzle velocity is the speed a projectile has at the moment it leaves the muzzle of the gun. Muzzle velocities range from approximately to in black powder muskets , to more than in modern rifles with high-performance cartridges such as the .220 Swift and .204 Ruger, all the way to for tank guns...
of 840 m/s. The guns had a maximum elevation of 30 degrees, which allowed them to engage targets out to 17600 m (57,742.8 ft). They were supplied with 1,040 rounds of ammunition, for 130 shells per gun. The ships also carried three 8.8 cm (3.5 in) L/45 anti-aircraft guns mounted on the centerline astern of the funnels, though one was removed in 1918. These guns fired a 10 kg (22 lb) shells at a muzzle velocity of 750 metre per second. She was also equipped with four 60 cm (23.6 in) torpedo tube
Torpedo tube
A torpedo tube is a device for launching torpedoes. There are two main types of torpedo tube: underwater tubes fitted to submarines and some surface ships, and deck-mounted units installed aboard surface vessels...
s with eight torpedoes in deck-mounted swivel launchers amidships. The ships were also outfitted to carry up to 200 mines
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
.
The Cöln class ships were protected by an armored belt composed of Krupp cemented steel. It was 60 mm (2.4 in) thick amidships and 18 mm (0.708661417322835 in) forward. The stern was not protected by armor. The armored deck was 20 mm (0.78740157480315 in) thick in the stern, 40 mm (1.6 in) thick amidships, and 60 mm thick forward. Sloped armor 40 mm thick connected the deck and belt armor. The conning tower
Conning tower
A conning tower is a raised platform on a ship or submarine, often armored, from which an officer can con the vessel; i.e., give directions to the helmsman. It is usually located as high on the ship as practical, to give the conning team good visibility....
had 100 mm (3.9 in) thick sides and a 20 mm thick roof. The main battery guns were protected with 50 mm (2 in) thick gun shields.
Ships of the class
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blohm & Voss | 1915 | 5 October 1916 | 17 January 1918 | Scuttled in Scapa Flow Scapa Flow right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about... on 21 June 1919 |
|
| Howaldtswerke Howaldtswerke Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft is a German shipbuilding company, headquartered in Kiel. In 2009 it was the largest shipyard in Germany and has more than 2,400 employees. It has been part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems owned by ThyssenKrupp, since 2005... |
1916 | 25 April 1917 | 28 March 1918 | Scuttled in Scapa Flow on 21 June 1919 | |
| Wiesbaden | AG Vulcan | 1915 | 3 March 1917 | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1920 |
| Magdeburg | Howaldtswerke | 1916 | 17 November 1917 | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1922 |
| Leipzig | AG Weser AG Weser Aktien-Gesellschaft Weser was one of the great German shipbuilding companies, located at the Weser River in Bremen. Founded in 1873 it was finally closed in 1983. Altogether, AG Weser built about 1400 ships of different types, including many war ships... |
1915 | 28 January 1918 | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1921 |
| Rostock | AG Vulcan | 1915 | 6 April 1918 | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1921 |
| Frauenlob | Kaiserliche Werft Kiel Kaiserliche Werft Kiel Kaiserliche Werft Kiel was a German shipbuilding company founded in 1867, first as Königliche Werft Kiel but renamed in 1871 with the proclamation of the German Empire... |
1915 | 16 September 1918 | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1921 |
| Ersatz Cöln | AG Weser | 1916 | — | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1921 |
| Ersatz Emden | AG Weser | 1916 | — | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1921 |
| Ersatz Karlsruhe | Kaiserliche Werft Kiel | 1916 | — | — | Not completed, scrapped in 1920 |
Service history
After their commissioning, Cöln and Dresden joined the High Seas FleetHigh Seas Fleet
The High Seas Fleet was the battle fleet of the German Empire and saw action during World War I. The formation was created in February 1907, when the Home Fleet was renamed as the High Seas Fleet. Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz was the architect of the fleet; he envisioned a force powerful enough to...
. They were assigned to the II Scouting Group, alongside the cruisers , , , , and . The ships were in service in time for the major fleet operation to Norway in 23–24 April 1918. The I Scouting Group
I Scouting Group
The I Scouting Group was a special reconnaissance unit within the German Kaiserliche Marine. The unit was famously commanded by Admiral Franz von Hipper during World War I. The I Scouting Group was one of the most active formations in the High Seas Fleet during the war; the unit took part in every...
and II Scouting Group, along with the Second Torpedo-Boat Flotilla were to attack a heavily-guarded British convoy to Norway, with the rest of the High Seas Fleet steaming in support. The Germans failed to locate the convoy, which had in fact sailed the day before the fleet left port. As a result, Admiral Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer was an Admiral in the German Kaiserliche Marine. Scheer joined the navy in 1879 as an officer cadet; he progressed through the ranks, commanding cruisers and battleships, as well as major staff positions on land. At the outbreak of World War I, Scheer was the commander of the II...
broke off the operation and returned to port.
In October 1918, the two ships and the rest of the II Scouting Group were to lead a final attack on the British navy. Cöln, Dresden, Pillau, and Königsberg were to attack merchant shipping in the Thames estuary
Thames Estuary
The Thames Mouth is the estuary in which the River Thames meets the waters of the North Sea.It is not easy to define the limits of the estuary, although physically the head of Sea Reach, near Canvey Island on the Essex shore is probably the western boundary...
while the rest of the Group were to bombard targets in Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, to draw out the British Grand Fleet. Großadmiral
Grand Admiral
Grand admiral is a historic naval rank, generally being the highest such rank present in any particular country. Its most notable use was in Germany — the German word is Großadmiral.-France:...
Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer
Reinhard Scheer was an Admiral in the German Kaiserliche Marine. Scheer joined the navy in 1879 as an officer cadet; he progressed through the ranks, commanding cruisers and battleships, as well as major staff positions on land. At the outbreak of World War I, Scheer was the commander of the II...
, the commander in chief of the fleet, intended to inflict as much damage as possible on the British navy, in order to secure a better bargaining position for Germany, whatever the cost to the fleet. On the morning of 29 October 1918, the order was given to sail from Wilhelmshaven the following day. Starting on the night of 29 October, sailors on and then on several other battleships mutinied
Wilhelmshaven mutiny
The Kiel mutiny was a major revolt by sailors of the German High Seas Fleet on 3 November 1918. The revolt triggered the German revolution which was to sweep aside the monarchy within a few days. It ultimately led to the end of the First World War and to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.-...
.
During the sailors' revolt, the crew of the battleship refused to move out of Dresdens way; she aimed one of her 30.5 cm (12 in) gun turrets at Dresden, but then backed down and let Dresden leave the port. The ship then went to Swinemünde, where she was partially scuttled and subsequently re-floated and returned to seaworthy condition. The unrest ultimately forced Hipper and Scheer to cancel the operation. When informed of the situation, the Kaiser stated, "I no longer have a navy." Following the capitulation of Germany in November 1918, most of the High Seas Fleet's ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter
Ludwig von Reuter
Ludwig von Reuter was a German admiral during World War I, who commanded the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet when it was interned at Scapa Flow at the end of the war. On 21 June 1919 he ordered the scuttling of the fleet to prevent the British from seizing the ships.-Early life:Reuter was...
, were interned in the British naval base in Scapa Flow. Cöln and Dresden were among the ships interned.
The fleet remained in captivity during the negotiations that ultimately produced the Versailles Treaty. Von Reuter believed that the British intended to seize the German ships on 21 June 1919, which was the deadline for Germany to have signed the peace treaty. Unaware that the deadline had been extended to the 23rd, Reuter ordered the ships to be sunk at the next opportunity. On the morning of 21 June, the British fleet left Scapa Flow to conduct training maneuvers, and at 11:20 Reuter transmitted the order to his ships. Cöln sank at 13:50 and was never raised for scrapping. Dresden was boarded by British sailors who managed to beach her before she sank. She was eventually broken up for scrap in 1920.
The eight ships that were not completed by the end of the war were formally stricken from the naval register on 17 November 1919. Wiesbaden was broken up for scrap in 1920 after she was briefly considered for completion. Magdeburg was sold on 28 October 1921 for 1,300,000 marks and broken up the next year at Kiel-Nordmole. Leipzig and Rostock were sold in 1921 and scrapped in Hamburg. Frauenlob was towed to the Deutsche Werke
Deutsche Werke
Deutsche Werke was a German shipbuilding company founded in 1925 when Kaiserliche Werft Kiel and other shipyards were merged. It came as a result of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I that forced the German defence industry to shrink...
shipyard in 1921 and broken up. Ersatz Karlsruhe was dismantled on the slipway in 1920, and Ersatz Cöln and Ersatz Emden were sold for 400,000 marks apiece on 21 and 25 June 1921, respectively. They were scrapped that year in Hamburg.