SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth, a proud member of the Kaiser Franz Joseph I-class of protected cruisers in the illustrious Austro-Hungarian Navy, bore the distinguished name of Empress Elisabeth in honour of the beloved consort of Emperor Franz Josef. Unlike many of her counterparts in the Austro-Hungarian Navy, this cruiser enjoyed a truly vibrant and eventful service record, standing out as an exceptional chapter in the navy's history.
Launched at the renowned naval shipyard in Pola on the 25th of September in 1890, Kaiserin Elisabeth was an impressive steel-hulled vessel, boasting a substantial displacement of 3,967 tons. Her dimensions measured 98 meters in waterline length, accompanied by a generous beam of 15 meters and a mean draft of 5.8 meters. To command and operate this maritime marvel, a dedicated crew of 450 officers and men was meticulously selected and assembled.
Powering the Kaiserin Elisabeth were two sets of horizontal triple expansion engines, harmoniously synchronized with four cylindrical double-ended boilers. The original design aimed for exceptional performance, envisioning 6,400 horsepower to achieve 18 knots (33 km/h) and an impressive 8,000 horsepower for 19 knots (35 km/h). Yet, during her trials, the cruiser displayed an even greater capability, surging to 20 knots (37 km/h).
Initially, Kaiserin Elisabeth's formidable armament featured two 24 cm and six 15 cm guns, all of Model 1886. However, in a visionary move to enhance her capabilities, the admiralty initiated a comprehensive upgrade in 1905-06. This ambitious refit resulted in a reconfiguration of her armament, incorporating two long-barrelled 15 cm guns and six short-barrelled 15 cm guns, all of Model 1901. To further bolster her firepower, the cruiser was equipped with a battery of 16 47 mm quick-firing guns, a machine gun, and four 360 mm torpedo tubes, strategically positioned above the waterline—two on each side of the vessel.
Kaiserin Elisabeth's transformation exemplified the commitment of the Austro-Hungarian Navy to adapt to the evolving demands of modern naval warfare. The cruiser, with her enhanced armament and exceptional speed, embarked on an illustrious career, serving as a testament to the dedication and innovation of her crew and the vision of her naval architects.
In 1914, despite its voracious consumption of coal, Kaiserin Elisabeth retained an impressive capacity for high-speed steaming, making it a valuable asset stationed in China. When the First World War erupted, Kaiserin Elisabeth found itself embroiled in the defense of the German colony of Tsingtao. The Japanese siege of Tsingtao began on August 25, 1914, just two days after Japan's declaration of war on Germany (August 23), which was subsequently followed by Japan's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary (August 25), triggered partly by the presence of Kaiserin Elisabeth.
Kaiserin Elisabeth was not alone in this challenging campaign; it stood alongside the Imperial German Navy light cruiser Cormoran, gunboats Iltis, Jaguar, Tiger, and Luchs, as well as the torpedo boat S90. Early in the siege, the SMS Kaiserin Elisabeth and the German gunboat Jaguar embarked on a daring sortie against the Japanese vessels blockading Tsingtao. While their efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, they symbolized the unwavering determination of the defending forces. Following the sortie the ship's crew was divided into two groups, with one continuing to man the ship while the other reinforced the German garrison.
On September 6, 1914, a historic event unfolded—the first air-sea battle in history—as a Japanese Farman MF.11 aircraft, launched from the seaplane carrier Wakamiya, attempted an unsuccessful bombing attack on Kaiserin Elisabeth.
As the siege of Tsingtao wore on, Kaiserin Elisabeth underwent some unplanned modifications. Its 15 cm and 4.7 cm guns were removed and mounted ashore in what became known as "Batterie Elisabeth." The naval vessels trapped in the harbor faced a grim fate. Cormoran, Iltis, and Luchs were scuttled on September 28, S90 on October 17, and Tiger on October 29. Finally, on November 2, Kaiserin Elisabeth met the same fate, taking its place among the scuttled vessels. On November 7, the day Tsingtao surrendered to the Japanese, Jaguar followed suit in the act of scuttling.
The historical account of this vessel remains an often-overlooked tale within the annals of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, particularly in its Far Eastern endeavour, and certainly merits more extensive recognition and attention.