Admiral Graf Spee
Scuttled
| Type | Heavy cruiser |
|---|---|
| Class | Deutschland |
| War | Second World War |
| Main guns | 6 × 11″ guns in 2 triple turrets |
The third "pocket battleship". She sank nine merchant ships in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean without killing anyone, before Exeter, Ajax and Achilles caught her off the River Plate on 13 December 1939. Damaged, she put into Montevideo, and on 17 December her captain, Hans Langsdorff, scuttled her in the estuary rather than fight his way out. He shot himself three days later.
Armament and specifications
Armament
- 6 × 28 cm (11 in) in triple turrets
- 8 × 15 cm (5.9 in) in single turrets
- 6 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK C/33 in twin mounts
- 8 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) SK C/30 in twin mounts
- 10 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 in single mounts
- 8 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes in quad mounts
Armour
- Main turrets: 140 mm (5.5 in)
- Belt: 100 mm (3.9 in)
- Main deck: 45–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in)
| Builder | Reichsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven |
|---|---|
| Laid down | 1 October 1932 |
| Launched | 30 June 1934 |
| Commissioned | 6 January 1936 |
| Displacement | 14,890 t (14,650 long tons) (design) 16,020 long tons (16,280 t) (full load) |
| Length | 186 m (610 ft 3 in) |
| Speed | 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h; 32.8 mph) |
| Complement | 33 officers 586 enlisted |
As built, from the ship's Wikipedia article. Figures there may cover later refits too.
Career
Launched
30 June 1934
Battle of the River Plate
Scuttled
13–17 December 1939
Hit about 20 times; 36 killed. Scuttled on 17 December