Egypt
13-12-2010, 17:27
I came across an interesting WW1 naval memorial in Cologne recently. It comprises of a damaged ship’s lifeboat suspended from one of the arches of the Eigelstein Torburg (one of the gates in the old city wall). The lifeboat was part of the wreckage recovered after the sinking of the German light Cruiser Cöln (28.8.1914).
Cöln, in company with Mainz, was attempting to intercept British raiders in the vicinity of Helgoland. Both ships were in action against the British cruiser HMS Arethusa and a number of her destroyer escorts, when Beatty’s battle-cruisers unexpectedly arrived on the scene. Cöln was destroyed by gunfire and sunk with heavy loss of life.
Cöln, in company with Mainz, was attempting to intercept British raiders in the vicinity of Helgoland. Both ships were in action against the British cruiser HMS Arethusa and a number of her destroyer escorts, when Beatty’s battle-cruisers unexpectedly arrived on the scene. Cöln was destroyed by gunfire and sunk with heavy loss of life.