HMS Southampton was launched 16 May 1912. She had an extremely active wartime career. participating in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and later in the Battle of Dogger Bank in early 1915. In May 1916, HMS Southampton fought in the Battle of Jutland as flagship of 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron where she torpedoed the German light cruiser SMS Frauenlob, which subsequently sank.