HMS Fifi
Encyclopedia
HMS Fifi was an armed paddle steamer
, captured from the Germans
by Royal Navy
units during the Battle for Lake Tanganyika
, and used to support Anglo-Belgian operations on the lake and its surrounding areas. She had previously been operated by the Germans under the name Kingani.
After a short career supporting German troop movements in central Africa, she was unexpectedly challenged by two motor boats, named HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou, which had been transported from Britain to the lake by an expedition led by Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
. The faster and more nimble motor boats were able to chase down the Kingani, which was unable to bring her larger weapon to bear on the small vessels without turning to face them. After being hit several times and crippled, and with her commanding officer and several men dead, she surrendered and was brought back to the British base. Brought into British service as Fifi, she became the first German warship to be captured and transferred to the Royal Navy.
Fifi went on to join the Anglo-Belgian flotilla in attacking and sinking her former consort, the Hedwig von Wissman, after a prolonged engagement which left Fifi with only two shells remaining, before she scored a crucial hit. She supported further allied operations on the lake, which involved working with land forces, but the flotilla did not participate in any offensive actions, and the last remaining German vessel, the Graf von Götzen
, was left unmolested. Fifi spent her last days as a government steamer, carrying passengers across the lake, until being scuttled as unseaworthy in 1924.
. These ships had secured control of Lake Tanganyika after destroying the Belgian
steamer Alexandre del Commune shortly after the start of the war, and were being used by the Germans to support their land forces in the region. German control of the lake was significant for the whole campaign in the central African theatre
. While the British could muster troops to the south of the lake, and the Belgians had troops to the north, neither could push into German East Africa
because of the risk that the Germans would use their boats to transport troops across the lake, and use them to cut their supply and communications lines. Sallying out of their homeport of Kigoma
on the eastern side of the lake, the German vessels transported troops to carry out raids on Belgian territory, and also bombarded the Belgian port of Lukuga.
In response to these raids, and needing to secure control of the lake to prevent German raids and to support their own troops in the field, the Admiralty
despatched an expedition, led by Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
, to transport two motor boats named HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou by sea, rail, river and road to the lake. Once there he was to sink or disable the German vessels, and secure control of the lake. After an arduous journey the two boats reached the lake and were launched on 22 and 23 December.
, where work was underway to construct a harbour to base Mimi and Toutou, but had to keep clear of two 12 pounder guns that were being used as shore batteries. Rosenthal returned early on 2 December and swam ashore to investigate. In doing so he discovered Mimi and Toutou, but was captured before he could return to make his report. In his absence, Sub-Lieutenant Junge took over command of Kingani. Still lacking detailed information on Belgian plans, Zimmer sent Junge to carry out a reconnaissance mission, and on 26 December Kingani again approached Kalemie.
desires to express his appreciation of the wonderful work carried out by his most remote expedition"; The Colonial Office
also expressed its approbation. Fifi became the first German warship to be captured and brought into service with the Royal Navy.
s revealed that they were British. He continued towards the shore until making a sharp turn to port at 9.30am, either attempting to lure them toward the Götzen, or having been fooled by an optical illusion into thinking the approaching vessels were larger than he had first thought. The pursuing vessels chased the Hedwig, with Fifi opening fire with her bow mounted twelve-pounder. The recoil stopped her dead in her tracks, Odebrecht used this to pull away. The Hedwig could do 9 knots (17.6 km/h) to Fifis 8, but as Fifi fell behind, Mimi sped past, firing on the retreating German vessel with her three-pounder gun. The shots missed, but the Hedwigs stern guns did not have the range of Mimis weapon, and Odebrecht was forced to come about and try to hit her with his bow-mounted six-pounder. The two circled for a time, unable to score hits, until Fifi closed. Spicer-Simson, commanding aboard Fifi, was down to three shells on his twelve-pounder, and risked being outclassed if the Hedwig could bring her own six-pounder to bear. At this moment, the shell jammed in Fifis gun, and in the twenty minutes that it took to clear it, Hedwig again pulled away, searching for the Götzen. With her second to last shot, Fifi fired again. The shell hit the Hedwigs hull, causing flooding, while moments later her last shell hit the engine room, bursting the boiler and killing five African sailors and two Germans. As fires began to spread through the stricken craft Odebrecht gave the order to abandon ship, and set explosive charges to destroy the sinking vessel. The British picked up the survivors, and also captured a large German naval ensign, the first to be taken in the war.
. The expedition received orders to support the land operations from the lake, and the flotilla, consisting of Mimi, Toutou, Fifi and Vengeur arrived off Bismarckburg on 5 June. Finding the harbour defended by a fort, Spicer-Simson decided not to attack, and withdrew to Kituta. This allowed the German forces to escape in a fleet of dhow
s, an act with provoked the anger of the army commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray. The naval expeditionary force remained at Bismarckburg, where Spicer-Simson was chastened to learn that the fort's guns were in fact wooden dummies. The Götzen was disarmed and then scuttled as the Germans withdrew from the lake and the allies secured their supremacy on the lake. Spicer-Simson would later claim prize-money for the successful capture of Fifi.
n government. In 1922 the fare was 2½ cents a mile for Africans, 9 cents a mile for Europeans. Considered unseaworthy by 1924, she was towed three miles (5 km) out of Kigoma and sunk in 200 feet (61 m) of water.
Paddle steamer
A paddle steamer is a steamship or riverboat, powered by a steam engine, using paddle wheels to propel it through the water. In antiquity, Paddle wheelers followed the development of poles, oars and sails, where the first uses were wheelers driven by animals or humans...
, captured from the Germans
Kaiserliche Marine
The Imperial German Navy was the German Navy created at the time of the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the small Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine, which primarily had the mission of coastal defense. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded...
by Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
units during the Battle for Lake Tanganyika
Battle for Lake Tanganyika
The Battle for Lake Tanganyika was a series of naval engagements that took place between elements of the Royal Navy, Force Publique and the Kaiserliche Marine between December 1915 and February 1916, during the First World War...
, and used to support Anglo-Belgian operations on the lake and its surrounding areas. She had previously been operated by the Germans under the name Kingani.
After a short career supporting German troop movements in central Africa, she was unexpectedly challenged by two motor boats, named HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou, which had been transported from Britain to the lake by an expedition led by Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
Commander Geoffrey Basil Spicer-Simson DSO was a Royal Navy officer. He served in the Mediterranean, Pacific and Home Fleets...
. The faster and more nimble motor boats were able to chase down the Kingani, which was unable to bring her larger weapon to bear on the small vessels without turning to face them. After being hit several times and crippled, and with her commanding officer and several men dead, she surrendered and was brought back to the British base. Brought into British service as Fifi, she became the first German warship to be captured and transferred to the Royal Navy.
Fifi went on to join the Anglo-Belgian flotilla in attacking and sinking her former consort, the Hedwig von Wissman, after a prolonged engagement which left Fifi with only two shells remaining, before she scored a crucial hit. She supported further allied operations on the lake, which involved working with land forces, but the flotilla did not participate in any offensive actions, and the last remaining German vessel, the Graf von Götzen
MV Liemba
The MV Liemba, formerly the Graf von Götzen, is a passenger and cargo ferry that runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika...
, was left unmolested. Fifi spent her last days as a government steamer, carrying passengers across the lake, until being scuttled as unseaworthy in 1924.
Strategic situation on Lake Tanganyika
Kingani formed part of the small German naval flotilla on the lake, consisting initially of the Kingani and the 60-ton Hedwig von Wissman, but joined in June 1915 by the 1,200-ton Graf von GötzenMV Liemba
The MV Liemba, formerly the Graf von Götzen, is a passenger and cargo ferry that runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika...
. These ships had secured control of Lake Tanganyika after destroying the Belgian
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
steamer Alexandre del Commune shortly after the start of the war, and were being used by the Germans to support their land forces in the region. German control of the lake was significant for the whole campaign in the central African theatre
East African Campaign (World War I)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles and guerrilla actions which started in German East Africa and ultimately affected portions of Mozambique, Northern Rhodesia, British East Africa, Uganda, and the Belgian Congo. The campaign was effectively ended in November 1917...
. While the British could muster troops to the south of the lake, and the Belgians had troops to the north, neither could push into German East Africa
German East Africa
German East Africa was a German colony in East Africa, which included what are now :Burundi, :Rwanda and Tanganyika . Its area was , nearly three times the size of Germany today....
because of the risk that the Germans would use their boats to transport troops across the lake, and use them to cut their supply and communications lines. Sallying out of their homeport of Kigoma
Kigoma
Kigoma is a town and lake port in western Tanzania, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika and close to the border with Burundi. It serves as the capital for the surrounding Kigoma Region and has a population of 135,234 and an elevation of 775 m.The historic trading town of Ujiji is 6 km...
on the eastern side of the lake, the German vessels transported troops to carry out raids on Belgian territory, and also bombarded the Belgian port of Lukuga.
In response to these raids, and needing to secure control of the lake to prevent German raids and to support their own troops in the field, the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
despatched an expedition, led by Lieutenant-Commander Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
Geoffrey Spicer-Simson
Commander Geoffrey Basil Spicer-Simson DSO was a Royal Navy officer. He served in the Mediterranean, Pacific and Home Fleets...
, to transport two motor boats named HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou by sea, rail, river and road to the lake. Once there he was to sink or disable the German vessels, and secure control of the lake. After an arduous journey the two boats reached the lake and were launched on 22 and 23 December.
Kingani reconnoitres
The commander of the German naval forces, Captain Gustav Zimmer, had placed Lieutenant Job Rosenthal, who had served aboard the cruiser until her sinking at the Battle of Rufiji Delta, in command of Kingani. Rosenthal was ordered to investigate Belgian preparations for assembling and launching their large steamer Baron Dhanis. Rosenthal took Kingani close to KalemieKalemie
Kalemie, formerly Albertville/Albertstad, is a town on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The town is next to the exit of the Lukuga River flowing out from Lake Tanganyika to the Lualaba River....
, where work was underway to construct a harbour to base Mimi and Toutou, but had to keep clear of two 12 pounder guns that were being used as shore batteries. Rosenthal returned early on 2 December and swam ashore to investigate. In doing so he discovered Mimi and Toutou, but was captured before he could return to make his report. In his absence, Sub-Lieutenant Junge took over command of Kingani. Still lacking detailed information on Belgian plans, Zimmer sent Junge to carry out a reconnaissance mission, and on 26 December Kingani again approached Kalemie.
Kingani is captured
Kingani was spotted from the shore, and Spicer-Simson's men quickly took to the water, cutting Kingani off from her base. Taken by surprise Junge ordered Kinganis speed to be increased, but as the six-pounder gun mounted in the forepart of Kingani could only fire forward, he was forced to circle to aim at the lead British boat, Mimi. The Germans also opened fire with rifles, as the British boats closed on the Kingani. Eventually the British scored a direct hit, a three-pounder shell passing through the gunshield and killing Junge, and two petty officers, Penne and Schwarz. Several more shells hit the Kingani, starting fires and flooding. With Junge dead, the chief engineer hauled down the colours and waved a white handkerchief. Mimi then approached, accidentally ramming Kingani at full speed. Toutou also came alongside, and took possession of Kingani, which was then sailed back to shore.HMS Fifi joins the flotilla
Junge and four dead crewmembers were buried, and after a hole in Kinganis hull had been patched, she was taken into service as HMS Fifi. Spicer-Simson explained that Fifi meant 'tweet-tweet' in French, and was suggested by the wife of a Belgian officer who had a small caged bird. Her six-pounder gun was moved to her stern, while one of the 12-pounder guns that had been mounted as a shore battery was fixed to the bows. The Admiralty were impressed by the expedition's achievements, Spicer-Simson was specially promoted to commander from the date of the action, and a message was sent which read "His Majesty The KingGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
desires to express his appreciation of the wonderful work carried out by his most remote expedition"; The Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
also expressed its approbation. Fifi became the first German warship to be captured and brought into service with the Royal Navy.
Fifi battles the Hedwig
It was not until mid-January that the Hedwig appeared to investigate the loss of Kingani, which was assumed to have strayed within range of the shore batteries and been sunk. The Hedwig returned on 8 February, having failed to learn anything significant on her first pass, and this time the British were ready. Spicer-Simson had taken command of Fifi, and supported by Mimi and two Belgian vessels, took his flotilla in pursuit. Odebrecht spotted the approaching vessels , but continued to advance. Initially mistaking them for Belgian craft, the white ensignWhite Ensign
The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton....
s revealed that they were British. He continued towards the shore until making a sharp turn to port at 9.30am, either attempting to lure them toward the Götzen, or having been fooled by an optical illusion into thinking the approaching vessels were larger than he had first thought. The pursuing vessels chased the Hedwig, with Fifi opening fire with her bow mounted twelve-pounder. The recoil stopped her dead in her tracks, Odebrecht used this to pull away. The Hedwig could do 9 knots (17.6 km/h) to Fifis 8, but as Fifi fell behind, Mimi sped past, firing on the retreating German vessel with her three-pounder gun. The shots missed, but the Hedwigs stern guns did not have the range of Mimis weapon, and Odebrecht was forced to come about and try to hit her with his bow-mounted six-pounder. The two circled for a time, unable to score hits, until Fifi closed. Spicer-Simson, commanding aboard Fifi, was down to three shells on his twelve-pounder, and risked being outclassed if the Hedwig could bring her own six-pounder to bear. At this moment, the shell jammed in Fifis gun, and in the twenty minutes that it took to clear it, Hedwig again pulled away, searching for the Götzen. With her second to last shot, Fifi fired again. The shell hit the Hedwigs hull, causing flooding, while moments later her last shell hit the engine room, bursting the boiler and killing five African sailors and two Germans. As fires began to spread through the stricken craft Odebrecht gave the order to abandon ship, and set explosive charges to destroy the sinking vessel. The British picked up the survivors, and also captured a large German naval ensign, the first to be taken in the war.
Later operations
The flotilla returned to shore with their prisoners, and the following day the Götzen appeared offshore, steaming slowly past in search of the missing Hedwig. Alerted, the crews rushed to man their boats, but Spicer-Simson forbade an attack. Naval operations on the lake largely ceased thereafter, and by May the Belgians were about to capture Kigoma and a British force was pushing north towards BismarckburgKasanga
Kasanga is a town in southwestern Tanzania. It is located at around , on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, 810 m above sea level.-History:...
. The expedition received orders to support the land operations from the lake, and the flotilla, consisting of Mimi, Toutou, Fifi and Vengeur arrived off Bismarckburg on 5 June. Finding the harbour defended by a fort, Spicer-Simson decided not to attack, and withdrew to Kituta. This allowed the German forces to escape in a fleet of dhow
Dhow
Dhow is the generic name of a number of traditional sailing vessels with one or more masts with lateen sails used in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean region. Some historians believe the dhow was invented by Arabs but this is disputed by some others. Dhows typically weigh 300 to 500 tons, and have a...
s, an act with provoked the anger of the army commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray. The naval expeditionary force remained at Bismarckburg, where Spicer-Simson was chastened to learn that the fort's guns were in fact wooden dummies. The Götzen was disarmed and then scuttled as the Germans withdrew from the lake and the allies secured their supremacy on the lake. Spicer-Simson would later claim prize-money for the successful capture of Fifi.
Post-war and disposal
Fifi remained in service for the rest of the war, and became the government steam launch, carrying passengers and cargo from Kigoma to the southern ports on the lake on behalf of the Marine Department of the TanganyikaTanganyika
Tanganyika , later formally the Republic of Tanganyika, was a sovereign state in East Africa from 1961 to 1964. It was situated between the Indian Ocean and the African Great Lakes of Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika...
n government. In 1922 the fare was 2½ cents a mile for Africans, 9 cents a mile for Europeans. Considered unseaworthy by 1924, she was towed three miles (5 km) out of Kigoma and sunk in 200 feet (61 m) of water.