SMS Stettin

SMS Stettin was a Königsberg class light cruiser that served with the German High Seas Fleet and took part in the battle of Jutland. She joined the High Seas Fleet on completion in 1907 and remained there until 1917, serving through most of the First World War

During the Yorkshire coast raid (15-16 December 1914), Stettin, with two destroyer flotillas, made up the rearguard of the High Seas Fleet during its short-lived involvement in the raid.

At the battle of Jutland Stettin was the flagship of the Fourth Scouting Group (Stettin, München, Fraurnlob, Stuttgart and Hamburg) under Commodore von Reuter. 

The Fourth Scouting Group became involved in a sharp fight with the Second Light Cruiser Squadron during the late night action on 31 May. The British cruisers were sailing behind the main battle fleet, while the German cruisers were on Scheer’s left. Fighting began when the two squadrons were 800 yards apart. Stettin was hit by two shells, suffering 8 dead and 28 wounded, while the Frauenlob was sunk by a torpedo. The British also suffered heavy losses in the brief fight.

On the return journey to Germany, one of the German battleships hit a mine, causing a submarine scare. During this period Stettin came under fire from one of her own battle squadrons.

In 1917 Stettin was posted to the Submarine School, for service as a training ship. After the war she was delivered to Great Britain. She was scrapped between 1921 and 1923. 

Displacement (loaded)

3,814t

Top Speed

23kts design
25.2kts trials

Armour – deck

0.75-1.75in

 - conning tower

4in

 - gunshields

2in

Length

383ft 2in

Armaments

Ten 4.1in guns
Eight 2in quick firing guns
Two 17.7in submerged torpedo tubes

Crew complement

322

Launched

7 March 1907

Completed

29 October 1907

Broken up

1921-1923

Captains

Capt. F. Rebensburg

The Kaiser’s Cruisers 1871-1918, Aidan Dodson and Dirk Nottelmann. Looks at the small cruisers that served in the navy of Imperial Germany, from its formation in the 1870s to the aftermath of the First World War, a period that saw the last sail powered cruisers replaced by recognisably modern steam powered turret armed warships after a prolonged period of debate, and Tirpitz come to dominate the Navy with the support of Wilhelm II. Splits the design process and service records into separate sections, so we can trace the development of the cruiser and then get a good overview of how the type performed in combat (Read Full Review)
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Books on the First World War | Subject Index: First World War

How to cite this article: Rickard, J (26 September 2007), SMS Stettin, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_SMS_Stettin.html

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