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SMS Greif (1914): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 61°45′N 1°10′E / 61.750°N 1.167°E / 61.750; 1.167
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{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{other ships|SMS Greif}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
|Ship image=
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship caption=SMS ''Greif''
|Ship image=Alcantara 1916.jpg
|Ship caption=HMS ''Alcantara'' (left) and SMS ''Greif'' (right) dueling at close range during the [[action of 29 February 1916]].}}
}}

{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[German Empire]]
|Ship country=[[German Empire|Germany]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|German Empire|naval}}
|Ship flag=[[Image:War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg|KLM ensign|44px]]
|Ship name=''Greif''
|Ship name=''Greif''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=Neptun<ref name="schmalenbach46">Schmalenbach(1977)pp.46-49</ref>
|Ship builder=[[Neptun Werft]], [[Rostock]]<ref name="schmalenbach46">Schmalenbach (1977) pp. 46–49</ref>
|Ship laid down=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=1914<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship launched=1914<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
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|Ship reinstated=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship honours=
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=sunk 29 February 1916
|Ship fate=Sunk [[Action of 29 February 1916|29 February 1916]]
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship class=
|Ship displacement=9900&nbsp;tons normal<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship displacement=9,900&nbsp;tons normal<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship length={{convert|131.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship length={{convert|131.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship beam={{convert|16.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship beam={{convert|16.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
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|Ship speed={{convert|13|kn|km/h|1}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship speed={{convert|13|kn|km/h|1}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship range={{convert|35000|nmi|km}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship range={{convert|35000|nmi|km}} at {{convert|10|kn|km/h}}<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
|Ship complement=10 officers & 297 men<ref name="schmalenbach24">Schmalenbach(1977)p.24</ref>
|Ship complement=10 officers & 297 men<ref name="schmalenbach24">Schmalenbach (1977) p.24</ref>
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=Four {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} /40 guns (4 x 1) with 600 rounds ammunition, one {{convert|10.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} /40 rapid fire gun with 200 rounds ammunition, and two {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} torpedo-tubes with 12 torpedoes<ref name="schmalenbach71">Schmalenbach(1977)pp.70-71</ref>
|Ship armament=Four [[15 cm SK L/40 naval gun|{{convert|15|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK L/40]] guns (4 × 1) with 600 rounds ammunition, one [[10.5 cm SK L/40 naval gun|{{convert|10.5|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK L/40]] rapid-fire gun with 200 rounds ammunition, and two {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s with 12 torpedoes<ref name="schmalenbach71">Schmalenbach (1977) pp. 70–71</ref>
|Ship armour=
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor=
|Ship armor=
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|}
|}


⚫
'''SMS ''Greif''''' was a [[German Empire|German]] [[Cargo ship|cargo]] [[steamship]] that was converted into a [[merchant raider]] for the [[Imperial German Navy]].<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
: ''See [[SMS Greif]] for a German light cruiser.''


==Construction and conversion==
⚫
'''SMS ''Greif''''' was a converted freighter serving as a [[merchant raider]] with [[Imperial Germany]].<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>
Built as ''Guben'', she was a {{GRT|4962}} [[steel]]-[[Hull (watercraft)|hulled]] ship owned by the German-Australian Line (DADG), [[Hamburg]].<ref name="schmalenbach46"/> She was converted for naval service at [[Kaiserliche Werft Kiel]] in 1915 and commissioned as ''Greif'' on 23 January 1916.<ref name="schmalenbach46"/>


==Service history==
Originally named ''Guben'', she was a (4962 GRT) [[steel]]-[[Hull (watercraft)|hulled]] steamship owned by the German-Australian Line (DADG), [[Hamburg]].<ref name="schmalenbach46"/> ''Greif'' was converted for military service at [[Kaiserliche Werft Kiel]], in 1915. ''Greif'' was commissioned 23 January 1916<ref name="schmalenbach46"/> and sailed from the [[Elbe]] port of [[Cuxhaven]] on 27 February 1916<ref name="proceedings">Poole(July 1975)pp.52-57</ref> under the command of [[Fregattenkapitän]] Rudolf Tietze (born 13 September 1874).<ref name="schmalenbach16">Schmalenbach(1977)p.16</ref> The [[Royal Navy]] had learned of ''Greif''{{'}}s sailing and was waiting in the [[North Sea]].<ref name="schmalenbach34">Schmalenbach(1977)p.34</ref>
''Greif'' sailed from the [[Elbe]] port of [[Cuxhaven]] on 27 February 1916<ref name="proceedings">Poole (July 1975) pp. 52–57</ref> under the command of ''[[Fregattenkapitän]]'' Rudolf Tietze (born 13 September 1874, previously was commander of the [[battleship]] {{SMS|Wörth}}).<ref name="schmalenbach16">Schmalenbach (1977) p.16</ref> The [[Royal Navy]] had learned of ''Greif''{{'}}s sailing and was waiting in the [[North Sea]].<ref name="schmalenbach34">Schmalenbach (1977) p.34</ref>


⚫
===Action of 29 February 1916===
⚫
''Greif'' was disguised as the [[Norway|Norwegian]] ''Rena'' bound for [[Tønsberg]], [[Norway]] when intercepted by the 15,620-ton armed merchant cruiser [[SS Alcantara (1913)|''Alcantara'']] on the morning of 29 February 1916.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' closed to 2000 yards and slowed to lower a boarding cutter when ''Greif'' hoisted the German battle ensign, increased speed, and opened fire.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' returned fire with six 6-inch (15-cm) guns and two 3-pounders.<ref name="proceedings"/> Range was never more than 3000 yards.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' took a torpedo amidships on the port side, and one of ''Alcantara''s shells exploded the ready ammunition for ''Greif''s after gun.<ref name="proceedings"/> Both ships lost speed.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Greif''s crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' sank first.<ref name="proceedings"/> The light cruiser [[HMS Comus (1914)|''Comus'']] and destroyer [[HMS Munster|''Munster'']] then arrived to sink the stationary ''Greif''<ref name="proceedings"/> and rescue 210 German survivors.<ref name="schmalenbach24"/>
{{main|Action of 29 February 1916}}
⚫
''Greif'' was disguised as the [[Norway|Norwegian]] ''Rena'' bound for [[Tønsberg]], [[Norway]], when intercepted by the {{GRT|15620}} [[armed merchant cruiser]] {{RMS|Alcantara|1913|2}} on the morning of 29 February 1916.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' closed to {{convert|2,000|yd|sigfig=2}} and slowed to lower a boarding [[Cutter (boat)|cutter]] when ''Greif'' hoisted the German battle ensign, increased speed, and opened fire.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' returned fire with her six {{convert|6|in|mm|0|adj=on}} guns and two 3-pounders.<ref name="proceedings"/> Range was never more than {{convert|3,000|yd|sigfig=2}}.<ref name="proceedings"/>


''Alcantara'' was hit by a [[torpedo]] amidships on her [[Port and starboard|port]] side, and one of ''Alcantara''{{'}}s [[Shell (projectile)|shells]] exploded the ready ammunition for ''Greif''{{'}}s after gun.<ref name="proceedings"/> Both ships lost speed.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Greif''{{'}}s crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire.<ref name="proceedings"/> ''Alcantara'' sank first.<ref name="proceedings"/> The {{sclass2|C|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]] {{HMS|Comus|1914|2}} and [[Admiralty M-class destroyer|M-class]] [[destroyer]] {{HMS|Munster||2}} then arrived to sink the stationary ''Greif''<ref name="proceedings"/> and rescue 120 German survivors.<ref name="schmalenbach24"/> An estimated 187 Germans perished along with 72 Britons.
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==See also==
<!--
⚫
* [[Action of 29 February 1916]]
⚫
==See also==-->


==Notes==
==Notes==
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==References==
==References==
* {{cite journal|author=Poole, Francis, CDR RCNR |title=Alcantara vs. Greif: Duel of the Merchant Cruisers |publisher=United States Naval Institute Proceedings |date=July 1975}}
* {{cite journal |last=Poole |first=Francis |title=Alcantara vs. Greif: Duel of the Merchant Cruisers |publisher=United States Naval Institute Proceedings | date=July 1975 }}
* {{cite book | last = Schmalenbach | first = Paul | authorlink = | title = German Raiders | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 1977 | location = Annapolis, Maryland | isbn = 0-85059-351-4 }}
* {{cite book |last=Schmalenbach |first=Paul |year=1977 |title=German Raiders |place=Annapolis, MD |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]] |isbn=0-85059-351-4}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Greif (ship, 1915)}}


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{{coord|61|45|N|1|10|E|type:landmark_source:kolossus-dewiki|display=title}}
{{February 1916 shipwrecks}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Greif, SMS}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Greif, SMS}}
[[Category:1914 ships]]
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[[Category:Auxiliary cruisers of the Imperial German Navy]]
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1916]]
[[Category:World War I commerce raiders]]
[[Category:World War I commerce raiders]]
[[Category:World War I cruisers of Germany]]
[[Category:World War I cruisers of Germany]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the North Sea]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the North Sea]]
[[Category:1914 ships]]
[[Category:Naval magazine explosions]]
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1916]]
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[[Category:Auxiliary cruisers of the Imperial German Navy]]

Latest revision as of 19:08, 19 June 2023

For other ships with the same name, see SMS Greif.
HMS Alcantara (left) and SMS Greif (right) dueling at close range during the action of 29 February 1916.
History
Germany
NameGreif
BuilderNeptun Werft, Rostock[1]
Launched1914[1]
Acquired1915[1]
Commissioned23 January 1916[1]
FateSunk 29 February 1916
General characteristics
Displacement9,900 tons normal[1]
Length131.7 m (432 ft)[1]
Beam16.4 m (54 ft)[1]
Draught7.5 m (25 ft)[1]
PropulsionTwo coal-fired boilers, one 3,000 shaft horsepower (12 MW) 3-cylinder triple expansion reciprocating steam engine driving one propeller[1]
Speed13 knots (24.1 km/h)[1]
Range35,000 nautical miles (65,000 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h)[1]
Complement10 officers & 297 men[2]
ArmamentFour 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/40 guns (4 × 1) with 600 rounds ammunition, one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 rapid-fire gun with 200 rounds ammunition, and two 50 cm (20 in) torpedo tubes with 12 torpedoes[3]

SMS Greif was a German cargo steamship that was converted into a merchant raider for the Imperial German Navy.[1]

Construction and conversion

[edit]

Built as Guben, she was a 4,962 GRT steel-hulled ship owned by the German-Australian Line (DADG), Hamburg.[1] She was converted for naval service at Kaiserliche Werft Kiel in 1915 and commissioned as Greif on 23 January 1916.[1]

Service history

[edit]

Greif sailed from the Elbe port of Cuxhaven on 27 February 1916[4] under the command of Fregattenkapitän Rudolf Tietze (born 13 September 1874, previously was commander of the battleship SMS Wörth).[5] The Royal Navy had learned of Greif's sailing and was waiting in the North Sea.[6]

Action of 29 February 1916

[edit]
Main article: Action of 29 February 1916

Greif was disguised as the Norwegian Rena bound for Tønsberg, Norway, when intercepted by the 15,620 GRT armed merchant cruiser Alcantara on the morning of 29 February 1916.[4] Alcantara closed to 2,000 yards (1,800 m) and slowed to lower a boarding cutter when Greif hoisted the German battle ensign, increased speed, and opened fire.[4] Alcantara returned fire with her six 6-inch (152 mm) guns and two 3-pounders.[4] Range was never more than 3,000 yards (2,700 m).[4]

Alcantara was hit by a torpedo amidships on her port side, and one of Alcantara's shells exploded the ready ammunition for Greif's after gun.[4] Both ships lost speed.[4] Greif's crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire.[4] Alcantara sank first.[4] The C-class light cruiser Comus and M-class destroyer Munster then arrived to sink the stationary Greif[4] and rescue 120 German survivors.[2] An estimated 187 Germans perished along with 72 Britons.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Schmalenbach (1977) pp. 46–49
  2. ^ a b Schmalenbach (1977) p.24
  3. ^ Schmalenbach (1977) pp. 70–71
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Poole (July 1975) pp. 52–57
  5. ^ Schmalenbach (1977) p.16
  6. ^ Schmalenbach (1977) p.34

References

[edit]
  • Poole, Francis (July 1975). "Alcantara vs. Greif: Duel of the Merchant Cruisers". United States Naval Institute Proceedings. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Schmalenbach, Paul (1977). German Raiders. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-85059-351-4.
[edit]

61°45′N 1°10′E / 61.750°N 1.167°E / 61.750; 1.167

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