SMS Eber
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SMS
Eber was an auxuliary steamer rigged as a barque, built at
Kaiserliche Werft in Kiel, and was launched in February
1887. She was a gunboat specifically designed to exercise
the so called gunboat diplomacy which was the norm at that
time. She was commissioned in September 1887 and sat
course for the Pacific. At this time it was tensions
between Germany, France and England over the control of
the Samoan Islands. The Samoan civil war eventually ended
with Germany taking control over the islands. While at
anchor Apia Harbor a hurricane hit the islands 15. March
1889 that lasted for two days. Several ships were damaged,
and Eber ran aground 16. March and sank with only five men
from her crew surviving. She was severely damaged and
broken up during the hurricane, and parts of her hull was
later partly salvaged using explosives. Ship parts and
personal effects were found on the wreck site in the late
1990's positively identifying her as the Eber. Scattered
wisted wreck debris parts can be seen today on the west
side of the harbor.
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 Picture: SMS Eber in 1887 Marine Rundschau Last updated: March 2012 |
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