Before killing himself the captain set the crew ashore,this particular Kriegs Marine officer was well known as a benevolent commander. Before firing on merchant ships he would allow their crews aboard Graf Spee. A Deutschland class pocket battleship it was powered by diesel engines as were the other members of it's class!
The term pocket battleship refers to the smaller size of some German battleships,in order to adhere to the terms of the treaty of Versailles! Although she pushed the limits of the treaty,she was lightly armoured. Graf Spee's guns were larger than most RN battleships,and she was faster!
German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in Montevideo, Uraguay's, Plate River (refers to silver)ordered to leave the area by the neutral Uraguayan government. With ships of the Royal Navy waiting in the mouth of the Plate the captain ordered her scuttled and burned. After having been set afire and scuttled her captain, then committed suicide!