In 1889, the German Monarch, Kaiser Wilhelm II, attended a British Naval Review, where his attention was captured by White Star Line ship, Teutonic. After which the Kaiser supposedly remarked, "We must have some of these", the idea for a brand new German liner was born. Intended to be the pride of Germany, this new ship would be named after the first monarch of the unified Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm I. The ship would of course be named, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.
However, advancements in maritime technology during the late-nineteenth century was moving fast, and Germany knew they had to do something pretty radical if they wanted to assert themselves over the British. However, neither of the two main German lines, Noddeutscher Lloyd, or Hamburg-Amerika Line, had actually operated a liner of such size.
As a result, the task would be a huge step, and NDL was commissioned with this new liner.
Construction
Until this point, the majority of ocean liners were primarily powered by steam, but still occasionally relied on the use of sails. However, this new liner would not. With four funnels, the Kaiser would be completely reliant on her own steam. Little did they likely know at the time that the four-funnelled look would become synonymous with strength and stability, and would soon become a defining feature of the great early twentieth-century liners.
Additionally, the Kaiser would also be the largest ship since the Great Eastern, at around 14,349 GRT and a length of 655ft (200m).
She was fitted with engines capable of reaching 31,000 horsepower, giving her speed capabilities beyond any of her rivals.
That was not all that was revolutionary about this ship, though. She was also the first passenger liner to contain private suites, including sleeping quarters, a parlour and a bath, making her the most luxurious ship afloat.
In addition to her size and luxury, the Kaiser's decks were strong enough to hold a wide array of large guns in the event she had to be conscripted for war.
On 4th May 1897, the new ship was launched with the presence of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Interiors
Inside, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse boasted unique interiors. Unlike most passenger liners, all interiors were designed by one person, Johannes Poppe, who decorated the ship in a Baroque Revival style. With highly ornate features, tall ceilings and decorative features like statues and tapestries, the Kaiser had an incredibly luxurious appeal. On the walls were paintings of the German Imperial Family, and the smoking room was given the appearance of a traditional German inn. Both internally and externally, it was clear that this ship wanted to boast German pride.
A painting of the First Class dining hall (artist unknown)
The smoking room, created in the style of a German inn
Maiden Voyage and Early Career
A few months later, on 19 September 1897, the Kaiser was ready for service and began her maiden voyage from Bremerhaven to New York, via Southampton, to much media attention. It wouldn't take long for the new superliner to make her mark on the seas; in March the following year she captured the Blue Riband from RMS Luciana with an average speed of 22.3 knots. Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse showcased new found German superiority over the seas. In fact, rather than coming into competition with the British, NDL found itself in competition with another German line, Hamburg-America Line, which captured the Blue Riband in 1900 with its new ship, Deutschland.
In response, the Kaiser received a refit which included the installation of new wireless telegraphy, enabling her to communicate with ports.
For the next few years, she would continue to prove her worth with a successful career, but like any other great ship, this would not come without its hitches. In 1906, she was rammed by another ship off the coast of Cherbourg, resulting in damage and the tragic loss of five passengers.
By 1907, the Kaiser was accompanied by three new sister ships, Kronprinz Wilhelm, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Kronprinzessin Cecilie. These additions solidified NDL's position as a top shipping line and represented a major source of national pride, during a time where Britain, Germany and France were all competing to expand their respective nations' power.
Unfortunately for NDL and the Kaiser, their time at the top was short-lived; rapid technological developments gave birth to two new ships, RMS Mauretania and RMS Lusitania. They quickly set new speed records beyond the capabilities of the Kaiser. By 1911, following the launch of RMS Olympic, it was clear that the Kaiser could no longer compete. In 1913, she underwent a refit to carry only Third Class passengers, many of whom were migrants travelling to the US.
The First World War
In the years leading up to 1914, tensions across the European powers were rising, and concerns of war were becoming more real. As a result, in 1908, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was converted into an auxiliary cruiser. Just a few years later, these concerns would come true, as on 4 August 1914, war broke out. The Kaiser was requisitioned and converted into an armed cruiser, painted in grey and black.
Her new commander, Captain Reymann, was a man who strongly believed in the rules of war. He sank vessels only after their crew were taken onboard. Later, he left two ships go, the Galician and the Arlanza, after discovering there were mostly women and children onboard.
However, just weeks later, the Kaiser's career would come to an end. She stopped at Rio de Oro (located on the North-West African coast) to refuel. On 26 August, as refuelling continued, British cruiser HMS Highflyer was spotted nearby. Refuelling ceased and the ship was quickly prepared for battle. Unfortunately for the Germans, they ran out of ammunition and rather than allowing the British to take the ship, Captain Reymann ordered the ship to be scuttled (deliberately sunk), using dynamite. This tore a hole in the ship, causing it to capsize and abandoned. Reymann escaped, but many crewmen were captured and taken prisoner.
There has been debate, however, on what actually happened on that fateful day. Captain Reymann and the German side argued that that the ship was abandoned after ammunition had run out, and they had deliberately scuttled the ship to prevent it being seized by the enemy. Yet, the British contested that it was the damage caused by British fire that caused the ship to sink. We will likely never know who has telling the truth here, but what we do know is that like many great liners, her career was cut short by the tragic events of the war.
