Postcard, S.M.S. Emden

Gift from a German warship

This photographic postcard depicts the German warship SMS Emden in an unknown harbour with a small (tug) boat alongside. The accompanying envelope notes the following: 'S.M.S. Emden/ This was given to me by one of / the German Prisoners off Emden/ whilst on the Arawa. / Merle'.

The SS Arawa was an HMAT (His Majesty's Australian Transport) ship, but also carried New Zealand troops.

Early Australian capture

The Emden was captained by Karl von Mūller when it entered service in the First World War. It was the second and final member of the Dresden class of light cruisers built for the Imperial Germany Army.

While attempting a raid on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands off the coast of Western Australia on 9 November 1914, the Emden was attacked by Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney. The SS Arawa wireless operator had picked up the signal broadcast from Direction Island, Cocos Islands of an 'Unknown Warship in Harbour'. The Arawa passed the message on to escorting cruisers where HMAS Sydney was despatched from convoy and proceeded to the Cocos Islands.

The unknown warship was the Emden. Mūller was forced to run her aground to prevent her sinking, and out of 376 crew, 133 were killed with most survivors taken prisoner. Some were transferred to the Bristish HMS Hampshire.