German Flakschiff: Arcona and Medusa

SMS Arcona and SMS Medusa were two of the ten light cruisers that formed the Gazelle-class. They were built in the early years of the twentieth century, and by the time of the First World War they were no longer regarded as front-line units.

When built, their characteristics were:

• Displacement: 3,130 tons
• Dimensions:
• Length: 344’ 6” (105m)
• Beam: 40’ 8” (12.40m)
• Draft: 16’ 4” (4.99m)
• Speed: 21.5 knots
• Propulsion: 2 shafts powered by triple-expansion steam engines
• Armour: Deck: 20 to 25mm (0.79 to 0.98 inches)
• Armament: 10 × 4.1” (10.5cm) SK L/40 guns (10 x 1); 2 × 18” (45cm) Torpedo Tubes
• Complement: 14 officers and 256 enlisted men

A silhouette of a Gazelle-class cruiser.

SMS Arcona in 1910.

When converted into a flakschiff, Arcona and Medusa carried:

• 1 x 4.1” (10.5cm) SK C/32 gun (1 x 1)
• 4 x 4.1” (10.5cm) SK C/33 guns (4 x 1),
• 2 x 37mm SK C/30 guns (2 x 1)
• 4 x 20mm guns (1 x 4)

A silhouette of KMS Arcona and KMS Medusa. The funnel was later shortened and additional superstructure added.

Arcona was assigned to Naval Anti-Aircraft Group 233. She survived the war and was broken up between 1948 and 1949.

KMS Arcona.

Medusa was assigned to Naval Anti-Aircraft Group 222. She survived the war and was broken up between 1948 and 1950.

KMS Medusa.

KMS Medusa in action.

KMS Medusa. This appears to be a photograph of the ship during her conversion into a flakschiff.