SMS Hertha was a protected cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 14 April 1897 and commissioned on 23 July 1898.

For the first 6 years after commissioning, SMS Hertha was assigned to the Ostasiatische Station in Kiautschou.  She took part in the Battle of Taku Forts in June 1900 during the Boxer Uprising.

SMS Hertha returned to Germany in 1905 for modernization, but she didn’t return to active service follow completion of the work.  She was used as a training ship until the outbreak of WWI.  She served briefly in front-line service upon the outbreak of war, but was converted to a barracks ship in 1915.  In 1920, she was sold for scrapping.