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Vestes Bellica Military history archive

Vestes Bellica

The Imperial Navy - SMS Jaguar

The gunboats Jaguar and Iltis were launched by Schichau in 1898. The other ships of the class were SMS Tiger, SMS Luchs and SMS Panther.

The gunboats of this class displaced 894 - 977 t, were about 66 m long and made 14 knots. Iltis and Jaguar were armed with four 8.0 cm quick-firing guns.

The crew of SMS Jaguar consisted of 6 naval officers, 1 naval engineer, 1 medical officer, 1 paymaster, 4 deck officers and 108 non-commissioned officers and sailors (total 121).

The SMS Jaguar had been stationed abroad since April 4, 1899.

The ship was scuttled in Tsingtau after the outbreak of World War I (November 7, 1914).

Crew members of SMS Jaguar. Service period 1902-03. Original photo.
Crew members of SMS Jaguar. Service period 1902-03. Original photo.

The SMS Jaguar had been stationed abroad since April 4, 1899.

The ship was scuttled in Tsingtau after the outbreak of World War I (November 7, 1914).

SMS Jaguar. After an original chromolithograph around 1900.
SMS Jaguar. After an original chromolithograph around 1900.

SMS Jaguar SMS Jaguar before 1914 (photographic estate likely of a technical petty officer)

The gunboat Jaguar.
The gunboat Jaguar.
In the Seamen's Home in Tsingtau.
In the Seamen's Home in Tsingtau.
Crew members of SMS Jaguar.
Crew members of SMS Jaguar.
The SMS Jaguar in the port of Shanghai.
The SMS Jaguar in the port of Shanghai.
The Iltis monument in Shanghai. This was unveiled on November 21, 1898.
The Iltis monument in Shanghai. This was unveiled on November 21, 1898.
In the port of Shanghai.
In the port of Shanghai.
Shore leave in Shanghai.
Shore leave in Shanghai.
Shore leave in Shanghai.
Shore leave in Shanghai.
Members of the SMS Jaguar in Colani.
Members of the SMS Jaguar in Colani.
Hygiene on board. At the barber's.
Hygiene on board. At the barber's.
The Seamen's Home in Tsingtau. It was inaugurated in May 1903 on Bismarck Street.
The Seamen's Home in Tsingtau. It was inaugurated in May 1903 on Bismarck Street.
The (small-town) railway station in Tsingtau.
The (small-town) railway station in Tsingtau.
On board.
On board.
Leisure activities in the so-called Seamen's Home in Tsingtau. This was available to the non-commissioned officers and crew of the Imperial Navy.
Leisure activities in the so-called Seamen's Home in Tsingtau. This was available to the non-commissioned officers and crew of the Imperial Navy.
Excursion to the Prince Heinrich Mountains in Tsingtau. Incidentally, there was a mountaineering club in Tsingtau. Among the 60 founding members of the club were Irene of Hesse-Darmstadt and her husband Prince Heinrich. The latter visited the territory leased by the German Empire (Kiautschou) more frequently.
Excursion to the Prince Heinrich Mountains in Tsingtau. Incidentally, there was a mountaineering club in Tsingtau. Among the 60 founding members of the club were Irene of Hesse-Darmstadt and her husband Prince Heinrich. The latter visited the territory leased by the German Empire (Kiautschou) more frequently.
The Iltis monument (in Shanghai). The older SMS Iltis sank on July 23, 1896 in a typhoon in the Yellow Sea. Of the 86 sailors, 76 drowned.
The Iltis monument (in Shanghai). The older SMS Iltis sank on July 23, 1896 in a typhoon in the Yellow Sea. Of the 86 sailors, 76 drowned.
In Hankou.
In Hankou.
Cargo on board.
Cargo on board.
Cargo on board.
Cargo on board.
Deck officers and sailors on board the SMS Jaguar.
Deck officers and sailors on board the SMS Jaguar.
SMS Jaguar in Tsingtau, to allow work on the underwater hull.
SMS Jaguar in Tsingtau, to allow work on the underwater hull.
The band of the SMS Jaguar.
The band of the SMS Jaguar.
Excursion.
Excursion.
Leisure.
Leisure.
Probably also Shanghai.
Probably also Shanghai.

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