SMS Dresden (1907) at Juan Fernandez Island after surrender.

A port quarter view of the German protected cruiser SMS Dresden (1907) in Cumberland Bay, Juan Fernandez Island. A white flag of surrender is flying from the foremast. The photograph was taken from a ship's boat, part of which can be seen in the bottom left of the photograph. Shortly after this photograph was taken the ship was scuttled to prevent it from falling into British hands.

The Dresden had arrived at Juan Fernandez short of coal and trying to evade British warships after the Battle of the Falkland Islands. However, it was cornered on 14 March by HMS Glasgow and HMS Kent with the armed merchant cruiser Orama. Violating Chilean neutrality the ships opened fire on Dresden until she surrendered. The captain decided to scuttle her.

This is a poor quality copy negative of a print. The negative has the inscription: "The German Cruiser Dresden" along the bottom end of the unmasked area. The masking has been done to make it a 10 inch x 8 inch image.

Object Details

ID: N4922
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Vessels: Dresden (1907)
Date made: 14 March 1915
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Richard Perkins Collection
Measurements: Overall: 120 mm x 164 mm