Greif / Alcantara Action WW1

[kc]

Here is a little excerpt I found on our art site. Perhaps it is of some interest here. Of course the text was written shortly after the event and may be overly pro-British since it is from a British WW1 publication, but I think it still gets the gist of the action across. Actually, having read this particular entry, there is not a huge amount of anti-German or pro-British emphasis in the text.

http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/images/dte780.jpg
http://www.directart.co.uk/mall/more.php?ProdID=11631

Presently there happened one of those mishaps, which occur to the most efficiently, handled ships. An unlucky shot carried away the Alcantaras steering gear, and, unmanageable, she swung round with her broadside to the enemy. As the Greif settled down into the water she was able to bring her torpedo tubes to bear on this most favourable target. Two torpedoes missed, and then a third caught the Alcantara squarely. It is believed that the Greif carried a big cargo of mines, for presently she blew up with a tremendous explosion and went to the bottom. A few minutes later the Alcantara turned over and sank.

[herakles]

What an impressive view! Doesn't that capture the moment.

Am I wrong when I say that British ships of the day were too lightly armoured? Carrying so much explosive, their death would be most dramatic.

I seem to recall a similar problem in the Falklands War (the war of the Famous Brit!!!) And compounded by excessive use of plastics.

[historydavid]

Hek, the ALCANTARA sunk 29th February 1916 with the loss of 69 lives was an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Converted from a liner, she had a little or nor real protection against torpedoes.