SMS BLUCHER

GERAN IMPERIAL NAVY

Class…………………………… Blűcher-class Armoured Cruiser

Builder………………………... Kaiserliche Werft Kiel

Yard number………………. 33

Laid down...…………………. 21 Feb 1907

Launched….………………… 11 Apr 1908

Completed.…………………. 1 Oct 1909

Propulsion.…………………. 3 shafts: 3- 4-cylinder Vertical Triple Expansion Steam Engines: 18 Marine coal fired water tube boilers

Speed...………………………… 24.5 knots (max)

Range…………………………... 6600 nm at 12 knots

Fate ……………………………. 24 January 1915 saw a major clash in The North Sea, when four German and five British battle cruisers meet on the Dogger Bank fishing grounds. Outnumbered and outgunned, the ships of the German High Seas Fleet managed to escape - all but the SMS Blűcher. By 11:45 the Blűcher was a blazing wreck, all her guns out of action, and at 1210, by now hit by seven torpedoes and over 70 shells, she succumbed. Capsizing she laid dead in the water for several minutes before sinking taking most of her crew of approx. 1026 with her. A total of 280 German sailors were pick up by British vessels including HMS Arethusa

 

 

SMS Blűcher in a 1910 photograph

 

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