Scale: 1:50. One of several German shipbuilder’s models in the Museum’s collection, they are similar to their British equivalent, apart from the scales at which they are made. The metalwork is particularly fine on this model, as is the penwork where features such as doors and hatches have been drawn on. A large naval ensign hangs at the stern. The ship’s boats are very deftly made.

While its sister ship SMS ‘Emden’ had old-fashioned triple expansion engines, ‘Dresden’ (1907) was fitted with the new Parsons direct-drive turbines. Prior to the First World War it was stationed in the Caribbean for a year and was instrumental in evacuating American nationals during the United States’ occupation of Veracruz in 1914.

At the outbreak of hostilities later that year, ‘Dresden’ was preparing for the return journey to Germany, when its orders were changed and its captain was told to prepare for commerce raiding. It headed for the south Atlantic, skirting around Cape Horn, and sinking British merchantmen along the way. In company with Vice-Admiral von Spee’s ships, it took part in the victorious battle of Coronel, but only a month later, was the only German ship to escape the disastrous battle of the Falkland Islands. Hiding among Chile’s complicated coastline, it was eventually found by the Royal Navy on 14 March 1915. ‘Dresden’ hoisted the white flag and, using protracted negotiations to buy time its crew abandoned ship and scuttled it.

The model was transferred to the Museum from the Naval War Trophies Committee in the mid-1940s.