Of the Karlsruhe-class consisting of the Karlsruhe and Rostock. Preceded by the Magdeburg-class and succeeded by the Graudenz-class. Building ordered as the Ersatz Seeadler, laid down at the Germaniawerft, Kiel, Germany on 21 September 1911, baptized by Karl Siegrist and launched on 11 November 1912, commissioned on 15 January 1914 but lost while underway towards Barbados when on 4 November 1914 due to an internal explosion killing the major part of her crew. Part of the crew reached safely the collier Rio Negro before the stern disappeared in the waves.
Displacement 4.900 (design)-6.191 (full load) tons and as dimensions 142,2 x 13,7 x 5,38 metres or 466.6 x 44.11 x 17.8” feet. The machinery consisted of 2 sets of Marine steam turbines and 12 coal fuelled Marine-type water tube boilers and 2 oil-fuelled double-ended boilers supplying 26.000 shp allowing a maximum speed of 28,5 knots. With a speed of 12 knots and a bunker capacity of 1.300 tons coal and 200 tons oil was her range 5.000 nautical miles. Her crew numbered 373 men (included 18 officers). The armour consisted of a 6cm/2.4” thick waterline belt, a 6cm/2.4” thick deck with the conning tower protected by 10cm/3.9”. The armament consisted of 12x1-10,5cm/4.1” L/45 quick firing guns amd 2-50cm/19.7” submerged in the hull on the broadsides and 120 mines.
