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

Construction and conversion

Built as Guben, she was a steel-hulled ship owned by the German-Australian Line (DADG), 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 (born 13 September 1874, previously was commander of the battleship SMS Wörth). The Royal Navy had learned of Greif's 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 RMS Alcantara (1913) on the morning of 29 February 1916. Alcantara closed to 2,000 yd 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 6 in guns and two 3-pounders. Range was never more than 3,000 yd. 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. Greif's crew abandoned ship 40 minutes after opening fire. Alcantara sank first. The C-class cruiser light cruiser HMS Comus (1914) and M-class destroyer HMS Munster then arrived to sink the stationary Greif and rescue 120 German survivors. An estimated 187 Germans perished along with 72 Britons.