SMS Gazelle was the lead ship of the ten-vessel Gazelle class of light cruisers that were built for the German Kaiserliche Marine in the late 1890s. The Gazelle class was the culmination of earlier unprotected cruiser and aviso designs, combining the best aspects of both types in what became the progenitor of all future light cruisers of the Imperial fleet. Built to be able to serve with the main German fleet and as a colonial cruiser, she was armed with a battery of ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) guns and a top speed of 19.5 knots. Her Niclausse boilers proved to be troublesome in service, and these were later replaced in the mid-1900s.
A 1902 lithograph of Gazelle
Plan, profile, and cross-section of the Gazelle class
Illustration of Restaurador under German flag, with Gazelle in the background
The Gazelle class was a group of ten light cruisers built for the Imperial German Navy at the turn of the 20th century. They were the first modern light cruiser design of the Imperial Navy, and set the basic pattern for all future light cruisers in Imperial service. The design of the Gazelle class attempted to merge the fleet scout with the colonial cruiser. They were armed with a main battery of ten 10.5 cm (4.1 in) guns and a pair of torpedo tubes, and were capable of a speed of 21.5 knots.
A 1902 lithograph of Gazelle
SMS Geier of the Bussard class, one of the predecessor types that led to the Gazelle design
Plan, profile, and cross-section of the Gazelle class
Medusa passing under the Levensau High Bridge in the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal
