SMS Cap Trafalgar

History
German Empire
NameCap Trafalgar
NamesakeCape Trafalgar
OwnerHamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft
BuilderAG Vulcan, Hamburg
Yard number334
Launched31 July 1913
In service1 April 1914
HomeportHamburg
FateSunk in combat, 14 September 1914
General characteristics
Tonnage18,710 GRT
Displacement23,640 tons[1]
Length613 ft (187 m)
Beam72 ft (22 m)
Installed power15,000 shaft horsepower
PropulsionTwin steam 4-cylinder triple expansion engines with turbines; 3 propellers
Speed17 knots

SS Cap Trafalgar was a German ocean liner launched in 1913 for the Hamburg Süd line. In 1914, she was converted for use as an auxiliary cruiser during World War I. She was the first armed merchant cruiser sunk by a ship of the same class; she was destroyed by HMS Carmania,[2] also a converted ocean liner, in a furious action in the South Atlantic on 14 September 1914. It was the world's first battle between former ocean liners.[3]

  1. ^ Schmalenbach p48
  2. ^ SUPPLEMENT to The London Gazette Of TUESDAY, the 6th of APRIL, 1915. p. 3550. For services in the action between H.M.S. "Carmania" and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser "Cap Trafalgar," on 14th September, 1914, when the latter vessel was sunk—
  3. ^ Robert K. Massie (2003). "Ch. 11. Admiral Cradock's Voyage". Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea. Ballantine Books. Quote: Cap Trafalgar fired back, and the world's first battle between ocean liners began.