The Wreck of SMS Emden - Germany’s Finest Raider

One of the most famous German warships in history, SMS Emden had a surprisingly short combat life. Only a couple months. But she was so effective and such a menace during this, that the cruiser has never been forgotten. It's a toss up between her and Graf Spee on which is the more famous German raider.

In today's video, we'll be looking at Emden's wreck. From when she was run aground, to how the ship fell apart over the years. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any decent images of the current wreck site.

Pictures:

[ericvadekro]

Well explained! The story of the landing party is definitely worth a video

[jimalexander]

An interesting part of the landing party's actions was a request from the telegraphists stationed on the island NOT to fall the radio mast onto the tennis court!

[brucevaughn]

This is a new one on me! Most engaging. Thank you for this episode!

[tenknifefoot]

A very nice video with a lot of pictures I have not seen.
Thank You.

[blackjuju]

Fantastic video. I am so glad that I watched this one. This never came up so I missed it on Sunday.

[tomlindsay]

2:40 The WWI Sydney deserves much more fame than she gets, she was all over the place during the war. How many ships do you know of that fought a duel with a Zeppelin?

[mattmorrisson]

Interesting video as always! I wasn't familiar with this ship. Thanks for putting this together.

[steve-qchd]

7:05 The blacking of the stern was probably caused by smoke from the folded over third funnel producing incomplete combustion gases with the "shell impact" at 7:31 also being smoke emitted from the third funnel. You need to view the offer to the commander of Emden to surrender, made by the Commander of HMAS Sydney which lists the damage.

[BrockRuby]

Always a great vid!! Thank you for a thorough step by step of this cruiser. I have revell model of this cruiser. You have really make me want to build it. KEEP IT UP BUDDY!!!

[georgem]

One of the guns from Emden is mounted in Victoria Park in downtown Sydney.

[Raven]

Sydney’s main mast is setup on Bradley’s Head in Sydney harbour. German light cruisers were always at a disadvantage as they mounted 4.1in guns compared to the 6in guns of British built cruisers.

[philipreiffel]

Many relics of the sms emden survive, I've seen the nicely carved sheild that was mounted to the bow, and also two of its guns. There is also some shore wreckage of the vessel from the salvage, and a large amount of wreckage underwater. I've read that the vessel was also partially salvaged in the 1950s, but i could only assume it was for the copper and brass contained within the hull as the ship came ashore against a reef in the surf line and was eventually broken up and dragged into deeper water. As for the Hmas sydney, that vessel was broken up for scrap in 1927, many relics survive including her bow section that is mounted on a wall beneath the sydney harbour bridge.

[mcpig]

Talking of Raiders, how about the See Adler, and Captain von Luckner?

[seanlander]

One of the guns from the Emden is still sitting in Hyde Park, Sydney.

[MrDarcykampe]

7:10 is fire damage on the stern. you can see it at 9:14 on the other side also, that section burnt out.

[the_lost_navigator]

11:10 - not the bridge wing but the collapsed forward mast spotting platform... Empress of Japan visited the Cocos Islands soon after the battle. Respect

[harrisonturner]

I've seen SMS Emden, in Sydney her mast still exists

[keithmcwilliams]

Their is a gun from the emden in hyde park sydney you can still see battle damage on it

[ericdutrieudeterdonck]

The story of the german far east fleet is extremely interesting. There was some books printed by Payot just after WWI with the testimony of german officer but these books are in french and I am not sure they were translated. It includes the Coronel battle, the Falkland battle, the history of the Dresden (hidden in Chili waters. with an officer called Canaris who could escape to Germany), the history of the Emden and the fate of his commander, von Muller who was prisoner on Malta Island, the history of the second part of the crew that could go back to Germany, first, on the Ayesha and, then, through Turkey. The history of Captain von Lauterbach who, after going back to Germany, went on a raider. Do you know that, in Mumbai, a courageous man is called an "Emden". This is still true and was confirmed to me by local people !

[johnm]

Definitely handled roughly. The landing party was the place to be