The Bussard class of unprotected cruisers were built for the German Kaiserliche Marine in the late 1880s and early 1890s. The class comprised six ships: Bussard, the lead ship, Falke, Seeadler, Cormoran, Condor, and Geier. Designed for service in Germany's colonial empire, the class emphasized a long-range cruising radius and relatively heavy armament; they were also the last cruisers in the Kaiserliche Marine to be equipped with an auxiliary sailing rig. The ships were equipped with eight 10.5-centimeter (4.1 in) guns.
SMS Bussard in Dar es Salaam
Cormoran in drydock in Sydney showing the arrangement of the screws and rudder
Falke in 1892
Geier in 1894
SMS Falke was an unprotected cruiser of the Bussard class, built for the Imperial German Navy. She was the second member of the class of six vessels. The cruiser was laid down in 1890, launched in April 1891, and commissioned into the fleet in September of that month. Designed for overseas service, she carried a main battery of eight 10.5-centimeter (4.1 in) guns and had a top speed of 15.5 knots.
SMS Falke in 1892
Illustration of the Bussard-class cruiser Geier
Falke in Samoa
SMS Falke at the Royal Naval Dockyard Bermuda in 1903