SMS Nürnberg was a light cruiser of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 28 August 1906 and commissioned on 10 April 1908.

In 1910, SMS Nürnberg was assigned to the Ostasiatische Station in Kiautschou, and made frequent voyages through Germany’s Pacific colonies.  

At the outbreak of World War I, SMS Nürnberg was returning to Kiautschou from the west coast of Mexico.  On 6 August 1914, she met the main body of the East Asia Squadron at Ponape, Karolinen.  Following a final drop of mail at Ponape, the Squadron depated for war.

On 1 November 1914, SMS Nürnberg participated in the Battle of Coronel off Chile, where the Squadron defeated a British force.

The Squadron then steamed into the Atlantic, where they were defeated by the British at the Battle of the Falkland Islands on 8 December 1914.  SMS Nürnberg was sunk with the loss of all but 7 men.