SMS Konigsberg trapped in the Rufiji Delta, 1914 (b/w photo)

In 1914, the most powerful German ship in the Indian Ocean was the light cruiser Königsberg. After an engine failure following her sinking of the British protected cruiser HMS Pegasus, Königsberg—along with her supply ship Somali—sought refuge in the delta of the Rufiji River in order to hide while her damaged machinery was transported overland to Dar es Salaam for repair. The British cruiser HMS Chatham discovered Königsberg in the delta towards the end of October. On 5 November, two additional British cruisers—HMS Dartmouth and Weymouth—arrived at the scene, and blockaded the German ship in the delta.