Pod poveljstvom kapitana Maxa Reymanna je bil Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sprva oceanska potniška ladja, zgrajena leta 1897, dokler ni prišel ukaz, da se zaradi začetka prve svetovne vojne ladjo preuredi v pomožni križarko v nemški mornarici.Nemška ladja je s tem plula ter napadala in potopila ladje v Atlantskem oceanu, s tem pa je tudi veliko napredovala. Listing Includes Date Voyage Began, Steamship Line, Vessel, Passenger Class and Route.

On 6 September 2013 the Salam Association for the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Development in Morocco filmed underwater footage of the wreck with the ship's name on the hull visible.

British sources at the time insisted the German auxiliary cruiser was sunk by Highflyer's crew but eventually stories from the surviving German seamen began to circulate, thus ending Britain's claim.

Regardless of whether the ship was sunk by the British or scuttled by the Germans, the British were still responsible for the raider's demise.

This was confirmed by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture on 8 October 2013.

1901-02-19 SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse. By placing the ship in the Bremen – New York line, she immediately won the Blue Ribband speed trophy away from Cunard. Ozadje. (Arnold Kludas Collection). Whatever the cause, she was the first passenger ship sunk during World War I. Jan Lettens 03/11/2014 With the approach of the 20th century, the great ships of the world had evolved rapidly. No longer could one see much resemblance with the old sailing vessels – … British sources at the time insisted that Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sank because of the damage inflicted by Highflyer. The S/S Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was the first ship sunk (26.8.1914), immediately after the start of World War I, in the north-west coast of Africa, near Rio de Oro in Western Sahara. Class of Passengers: Cabin; Date of Departure: 13 August 1901; Route: Bremen to New York via Cherbourg and Southampton; Commander: Captain D. Högemann

1901-08-13 SS Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse Passenger List. Capsized in shallow waters, the wreck of Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse remained visible after her sinking.

All Digitized Passenger Lists For the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse Available at the GG Archives. SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse Passenger Lists.