SMS Greif (1914)

SMS Greif was a German cargo steamship that was converted into a merchant raider for the German Navy.

Construction and conversion

Built as Guben, she was a steel-hulled ship owned by the German-Australian Line, Hamburg. She was converted for naval service at Kaiserliche Werft Kiel in 1915 and commissioned as Greif on 23 January 1916.

Service history

Greif sailed from the Elbe port of Cuxhaven on 27 February 1916 under the command of Fregattenkapitän Rudolf Tietze. The Royal Navy had learned of Greifs sailing and was waiting in the North Sea.

Action of 29 February 1916

Greif was disguised as the Norwegian Rena bound for Tønsberg, Norway, when intercepted by the armed merchant cruiser on the morning of 29 February 1916. Alcantara closed to and slowed to lower a boarding cutter when Greif hoisted the German battle ensign, increased speed, and opened fire. Alcantara returned fire with her six guns and two 3-pounders. Range was never more than.
Alcantara was hit by a torpedo amidships on her port side, and one of Alcantaras shells exploded the ready ammunition for Greifs after gun. Both ships lost speed. Greifs crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire. Alcantara sank first. The light cruiser and M-class destroyer then arrived to sink the stationary Greif and rescue 120 German survivors. An estimated 187 Germans perished along with 72 Britons.