CHAPTER III The German Navy GERMAN BATTLESHIPS. DREADNOUGHTS.

Previous
Archibald Hurd
CHAPTER III The German Navy GERMAN BATTLESHIPS. DREADNOUGHTS. KONIG CLASS. (Completed 1914-15.) GROSSER KURFuRST. KONIG. KRONPRINZ. MARKGRAF.

The “KÖnig” class, to which these vessels belong, are the last battleships to carry the 12-in. gun, as the battleships laid down since are to be armed with 15-in. weapons. The “KÖnigs” are considered by German experts to be very successful ships. The displacement is 25,500 tons, the length on the water-line 574 ft., and the engines are intended to develop 28,000 s.h.p. = 201/2 knots.

The normal coal supply is 1,000 tons, but, if necessary, no fewer than 3,600 tons of fuel, including oil, can be carried. Ten 12-in. guns, 50 cals. long, represent the main armament. They are mounted in five twin turrets, all on the centre line, so arranged that four guns can fire ahead or astern, and all ten on either broadside. Fourteen 5·9-in. quick-firing guns are mounted in an armoured broadside battery, seven being available on either beam.

There are also ten 21-pounder quick-firers for repelling torpedo attack. Five submerged torpedo tubes, to discharge the 193/4-in. torpedo, are fitted.

These ships are strongly armoured, having a belt 133/4 in. thick amidships, with good protection to guns and main fighting stations. The last vessel of this class, the “Kronprinz,” is not expected to be ready before next year.

The complement numbers 1,130.

KAISER CLASS.
(Completed 1912-13.)

KAISER.
FRIEDRICH DER GROSSE.
KAISERIN.
PRINZREGENT LUITPOLD.
KÖNIG ALBERT.

In design the ships of this class are very similar to our “Neptune” class, but are much larger, the displacement being 24,300 tons. The designed speed is 201/2 knots, but some ships of the class did much better than this on trial, one of them, the “Kaiser,” steaming at 231/2 knots for a short period. These were the first German battleships to be fitted with turbines.

The armament consists of ten 12-in. guns, fourteen 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder quick-firers, with five submerged torpedo tubes. The big guns are twin-mounted in five turrets, two of which are placed diagonally amidships, whilst the other three turrets are on the centre line. By this means all the big guns can be trained on either broadside, through a fairly wide arc. Stern fire is nominally from eight, bow fire from six guns. The 5·9-in. quick-firers are in an armoured battery.

A feature of this class is the very strong armour belt, which is 133/4 in. over vital parts amidships. Each ship carries 1,080 officers and men, but the Friedrich der Grosse, which is the flagship of the commander-in-chief, has a complement of more than 1,100.

Two vessels of this class, “Kaiser” and “KÖnig Albert,” recently completed an ocean cruise of 20,000 miles, and are said to have proved excellent sea boats. Their maximum fuel capacity is 3,600 tons.

HELGOLAND CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

HELGOLAND.
OSTFRIESLAND.
THÜRINGEN.
OLDENBURG.

The “Helgoland” class, to which these vessels belong, represents the second group of German Dreadnoughts. They are undoubtedly powerful units, but the design has been sharply criticised in Germany. Displacing 22,440 tons, and with a designed speed of twenty knots, which has been slightly exceeded in service, this class is armed with twelve 12-in., fourteen 5·9-in., fourteen 21-pounders, and six submerged torpedo tubes.

The big guns are in twin turrets, of which four are placed on the broadside, and two on the centre-line. This disposition allows only eight guns to be trained on either beam; in other words, only 66 per cent. of the heavy armament is available on the broadside. The designers have explained this apparent defect by pointing out that if the ship were attacked on both sides simultaneously it could reply effectively on each broadside. Nevertheless, this system was not approved by German experts, and was subsequently abandoned in favour of a turret disposition which permits the free use of all big guns on each beam, as in the “Kaiser” and “KÖnig” classes.

The “Helgolands” have 113/4-in. armour on the water-line. They are very steady in rough weather, and all have done well at gunnery. The maximum coal supply is 3,000 tons. A complement of 1,106 officers and men is carried.

NASSAU CLASS.
(Completed 1909-10.)

NASSAU.
WESTFALEN.
RHEINLAND.
POSEN.

The “Nassau” class, to which these vessels belong, were the first Dreadnoughts to be built by Germany. For their size they have an extremely powerful armament, but too much was obviously attempted on the displacement, and they are admittedly failures.

These ships displace 18,600 tons. They have exceeded their designed speed of nineteen knots by more than one knot.

The armament comprises twelve 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., sixteen 21-pounders, and six submerged torpedo tubes. Owing to the disposition of the four broadside turrets only eight of the big guns can be used on one broadside, so that the ships, in spite of their more numerous armament, can train only the same number of heavy guns on the beam as the British Dreadnought. So much room is taken up by the gun positions and their magazines, &c., that space between decks is very limited, and the officers and men can scarcely be accommodated.

Over vital parts of the hull there is 111/2-in. armour, but the turrets have much thinner protection. It is held by experts that these ships would be quickly put out of action if subjected to heavy fire, and it is considered doubtful whether they would be able to stand for long the concussion of their own numerous heavy guns.

The complement is 966 officers and men. The full coal capacity is 2,700 tons.

BATTLE-CRUISERS.

DERFFLINGER.
(Completed 1914.)

The “Derfflinger” is Germany’s newest battle-cruiser. Laid down at the end of 1911 at Hamburg, she was intended to be launched on June 14th last year, but, owing to a mishap to the slipway, she did not go afloat until a fortnight later.

She was performing her trials when war broke out, but was then no doubt hurriedly completed and placed in commission. Her displacement is 26,200 tons, and she has a length on the waterline of 689-ft., with a maximum breadth of 95-ft.

High speed and great fuel endurance are the outstanding features of this ship, which in proportion to her size is by no means heavily armed. The main battery consists of eight 12-in. guns in four double turrets, all on the centre line. Twelve 5·9-in. quick-firers represent the secondary battery, and twelve 21-pounders the anti-torpedo armament. There are in addition some special anti-aerocraft guns. Four submerged torpedo tubes are fitted.

The maximum thickness of the armour belt is 12-in., but great attention has been paid to the protection of the guns and other important positions. The fuel capacity reaches the enormous figure of 4,300 tons, which includes about 1,000 tons of oil. The turbines are of a new pattern, designed to work up to 63,000 shaft horse-power, giving a speed of 261/2 knots; but there is every reason to suppose this figure will be exceeded in service.

A peculiarity is the straight stem, no ram being fitted. The appearance of this huge vessel is strikingly formidable, and she is undoubtedly a most valuable addition to the German cruiser squadron, though in armament she is outclassed by contemporary British battle-cruisers. Complement, 1,125 officers and men.

SEYDLITZ.
(Completed 1913.)

The battle-cruiser Seydlitz is in a class by herself, though her design closely resembles that of the Moltke and the Goeben, of which she is a slightly larger edition. Her displacement is 24,600 tons, length 656 ft., and she has Parsons’ turbines of 63,000 h.p., designed for a speed of 261/2 knots, though she is reported to have attained over twenty-eight knots on trial.

She was built at the Blohm and Voss yard, Hamburg, and was commissioned last year. Her armament comprises ten 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The big guns, mounted in double turrets, are so disposed that all can be fired on either broadside, whilst eight can be trained astern and six ahead.

On the waterline amidships there is a 12-in. armour belt. The gun positions are also well protected. The maximum fuel capacity is 3,350 tons, equivalent to a steaming radius of 12,000 miles at moderate speed.

This ship, however, is a notorious “coal-eater,” and consumes an enormous amount of fuel when running at high speed.

Her complement numbers 1,108 officers and men.

MOLTKE CLASS.

MOLTKE.
GOEBEN.
(Completed 1911-12.)

These ships displace 22,640 tons, the length on water line is 610 ft., and the extreme breadth 961/2 ft. They are propelled by Parsons’ turbines, of 52,000 h.p., designed to give a speed of twenty-five knots, but on trial the maximum speed was slightly over twenty-eight knots, and since being in service these two battle-cruisers are said to have proved themselves to be the fastest armoured vessels in the German fleet. The fuel capacity is over 3,000 tons, and at economical speed the vessels can cover 12,000 miles without replenishing their bunkers.

The armament is fairly powerful. It consists of ten 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. Two turrets amidships are en echelon, the remaining three being on the centre line, so that all ten big guns can be fired on either broadside. These ships are reported to have special arrangements for rapidly loading the heavy guns, but the report is not authenticated.

For battle-cruisers the protection is remarkably good, there being 11-in. armour on the waterline. In every respect these vessels are among the most powerful units of the German fleet.

They have a complement of 1,013 officers and men.

VON DER TANN.
(Completed 1910.)

The Von der Tann was the first battle-cruiser built by Germany. She was launched in 1909 and commissioned in the following year. The design of the British Invincible was closely followed, but certain improvements were introduced.

On a displacement of 19,100 tons there is carried an armament of eight 11-in. and ten 5·9-in guns, with sixteen 21-pounders for repelling torpedo attack. Four submerged torpedo tubes are fitted. The vessel has a length of 560 ft. She is equipped with Parsons’ turbines of 43,600 h.p., designed for a speed of twenty-five knots. On trial she touched twenty-eight knots, and has done even better than this since.

The four double turrets are so disposed that all eight guns are available on either broadside through a very wide arc. The vitals of the ship are protected by an armour belt 93/4-in. thick. She can carry 2,600 tons of fuel, which enables her to steam about 11,000 miles at economical speed.

Her complement numbers 911 officers and men. The Von der Tann flies the flag of Rear-Admiral Tapken, Junior Admiral of the Scouting Squadron.

PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.

DEUTSCHLAND CLASS.
(1906-08.)

DEUTSCHLAND.
POMMERN.
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.
SCHLESIEN.
HANNOVER.

The main characteristics of the “Deutschland” class, to which these vessels belong, are as follow: Displacement, 13,000 tons; speed, 191/2 knots; armament, four 11-in., fourteen 6·7-in., twenty 21-pounder guns, and six submerged torpedo tubes. The armour belt is 93/4 in. at its thickest, with 11-in. armour on the turrets. The 6·7-in. guns are in a broadside battery, protected by 63/4-in. plates.

VICE-ADMIRAL INGENOHL.
Commander-in-Chief, German High Seas Fleet.

These are popular ships in the German navy, owing to their handiness, good speed, and sea-keeping qualities. The armament is not so formidable as it looks, owing to the slow rate of fire from the secondary battery. The 6·7-in. projectile weighs 154 lbs., and is thus too heavy to be handled by manual power, a fact which takes this gun out of the quick-firing category.

In fighting value the ships compare with our Formidables. The coal supply is limited to 1,750 tons. The complement is 743 officers and men. The “Deutschland” was for some years flagship of the High Sea Fleet.

BRAUNSCHWEIG CLASS.
(Completed 1904-06.)

BRAUNSCHWEIG.
ELSASS.
PREUSSEN.
HESSEN.
LOTHRINGEN.

The same in every respect as the “Deutschland” class, except that the armour belt is only 9-in. thick.

WITTELSBACH CLASS.
(Completed 1902-03.)

WITTELSBACH.
WETTIN.
ZÄHRINGEN.
SCHWABEN.
MECKLENBURG.

The “Wittelsbach” class, to which these vessels belong, has the following characteristics: Displacement, 11,643 tons; speed 18 knots; armament, four 9·4-in., eighteen 5·9-in., twelve 21-pounders, and six submerged torpedo tubes. Amidships there is a belt of 9-in. armour, with 10-in. plating on the big-gun turrets.

Although the heavy guns are too weak for modern tactics, the exceptionally powerful secondary battery was considered to compensate for this defect. To older ships of the pre-Dreadnought period the “Wittelsbach” class might still prove formidable opponents.

In service they have been found defective in sea-keeping qualities, and the high freeboard and lofty superstructure offer an inviting target to hostile guns.

Normally these ships form part of the reserve fleet. Proposals to reconstruct and modernise them two years ago were rejected, on the ground of their insignificant fighting value.

The coal supply is 1,800 tons. A complement of 683 officers and men is borne.

KAISER FRIEDRICH CLASS.
(Completed 1898-1901.)

KAISER FRIEDRICH III.
KAISER WILHELM II.
KAISER WILHELM DER GROSSE.
KAISER KARL DER GROSSE.
KAISER BARBAROSSA.

Particulars of the Kaiser Friedrich class, of which these ships are representatives, are as follows: Displacement, 10,600 tons; speed, 17 knots; armament, four 9·4-in., fourteen 5·9-in., fourteen 21-pounder guns and five submerged torpedo tubes. Protection is afforded by a narrow belt 12-in. thick amidships, which tapers to 4-in. at the bows. The stern has no side armour.

KAISER CLASS.

KAISER, FRIEDRICH DER GROSSE, KAISERIN,
PRINZREG-LUITPOLD, KÖNIG ALBERT.

Displacement: 24,200 tons.

Speed: 21 knots; Guns: 10 12·2in., 14 6in., 12 24pdrs.; Torpedo tubes: 5.

Astern fire: Broadside: Ahead fire:
8 12·2in. 10 12·2in. 6 12·2in.
4 6in. 7 6in. 4 6in.

In their original form each ship carried eighteen 5·9-in. guns, but all, excepting the Kaiser Karl der Grosse, underwent complete reconstruction six or seven years ago, when four 5·9-in. guns and much of the clumsy top-hamper were removed. This reduction in weight brought the lower edge of the armour belt dangerously near the surface, with the result that when the ships are rolling the belt comes out of the water, and the lower hull is thus exposed to the smallest projectile.

Owing to this grave defect the ships were withdrawn from active service, and have been in reserve ever since they were reconstructed.

Maximum coal capacity is 1,000 tons. The complement numbers 622 officers and men.

BRANDENBURG CLASS.
(Completed 1893-94.)

BRANDENBURG.
WÖRTH.

These vessels are the two oldest battleships in the German navy. The class consisted originally of four ships, but two of them (KurfÜrst Friedrich Wilhelm and Weissenburg) were sold to Turkey in 1910, and are now included in the Turkish fleet as the Haireddin Barbarossa and Torgut Reis. The displacement is 9,870 tons, the present speed about 16 knots.

Six 11-in. guns of obsolete type form the main armament, which is mounted in three double turrets on the centre line. This disposition enables all six heavy guns to fire on either beam. There are also eight 4·1-in. and eight 21-pounder guns, with two submerged and one above-water torpedo tubes.

On the water-line amidships is a 16-in. belt of compound armour, and the big gun positions are protected by 12-in. plating. About 1,050 tons of coal can be stored. The complement is 585 officers and men. The fighting value of this class under modern conditions is practically nil.

COAST DEFENCE SHIPS.
(Completed 1890-7.)

AEGIR.
HAGEN.
HILDEBRAND.
BEOWULF.
ODIN.
HEIMDALL.
FRITHJOF.
SIEGFRIED.

These vessels comprise the very oldest class of German armoured ships, and are used only for the local defence of harbours and coasts. The displacement is 4,000 tons. The speed originally was 15 knots, but is now considerably less.

The armament consists of three old 9·4-in. and ten 21-pounder guns, with four torpedo tubes. A narrow belt of 9-in. armour protects the waterline, but elsewhere the hull has very little protection.

The complement numbers 307 officers and men.

GERMAN ARMOURED CRUISERS.

BLÜCHER.
(Completed 1909.)

The “BlÜcher” is the most modern of Germany’s armoured cruisers, as distinct from the battle-cruiser class. She was laid down in 1906, at Kiel, as a “reply” to the British “Invincibles,” then building.

At that date the details of the new British ships were carefully guarded, with the result that the Germans, acting on incorrect information, designed a cruiser which was far behind the “Invincible” in every respect. The BlÜcher displaces 15,550 tons, and is 527-ft. in length.

She has reciprocating engines of 32,000 h.p., for a designed speed of 24 knots, which was increased to 25·8 knots on trial.

The armament consists of twelve 8·2-in., eight 5·9-in., and sixteen 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The 8·2-in. guns are twin-mounted in armoured turrets, so arranged that eight of these weapons bear on the broadside. The 5·9-in. guns are in an armoured battery.

A 7-in. belt protects the waterline and vitals, and there is plating of equal thickness on the turrets. The coal supply is 2,200 tons.

The complement numbers 888 officers and men. The “BlÜcher,” which until lately was used for gunnery training purposes, is the only German warship to be fitted with a tripod mast and a fire-control station on the British pattern.

SCHARNHORST.
GNEISENAU.
(Completed 1907-08.)

Both these armoured cruisers were launched in 1906. They displace 11,400 tons, and are 470-ft. in length. With engines designed for 28,000 h.p., the trial speed was 23 knots. The armament is very powerful for a ship of this class, and consists of eight 8·2-in., six 5·9-in., and eighteen 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes.

Four of the big guns are mounted in twin turrets, the remaining four in broadside casemates. Six of these weapons can be fired on either broadside. The 5·9-in. guns are in an armoured battery.

Six-inch armour protects the waterline and vital parts, the same thickness being on the main gun positions. The maximum coal supply is 2,000 tons.

A complement of 764 officers and men is carried.

The “Scharnhorst” flies the flag of the admiral in command of the cruiser squadron in China, and the “Gneisenau” is also a unit of the China squadron.

YORCK.
ROON.
(Completed 1905.)

The principal details of these ships are: Displacement, 9,350 tons; length, 417-ft.; designed h.p., 19,000; speed, 21 knots. Armament consists of four 8·2-in., ten 5·9-in., and fourteen 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The 8·2-in. guns are mounted in two double turrets placed forward and aft, the 5·9-in. being in an armoured battery.

Protection is very poor. At its thickest the belt is only 4 ins., but there is 6-in. armour on the turrets. The general design of these ships is faulty, and they have not proved successful in service. The maximum coal capacity is 1,400 tons.

A complement of 633 officers and men is carried.

PRINZ ADALBERT.
FRIEDRICH KARL.
(Completed 1903.)

These are vessels of 8,850 tons displacement, and 410-ft. in length. They have engines of 17,000 h.p., giving a speed of 21 knots. Their armament comprises four 8·2-in. guns in twin turrets, ten 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder quick-firers, with four torpedo tubes. The armour belt is only 4 ins. thick, but the two turrets are protected by 6-in. armour.

Coal capacity is 1,600 tons with bunkers full. A complement of 591 officers and men is borne.

PRINZ HEINRICH.
(Completed 1902.)

This vessel is one of the earliest German armoured cruisers. She was built specially for service abroad, and was formerly on the China station. She displaces 8,760 tons, is 410-ft. in length, and originally steamed at 201/2 knots, but is now considerably slower.

Her armament consists of two 9·4-in., ten 5·9-in., and ten 21-pounder guns, with four torpedo tubes, three of them submerged. The big guns are in single turrets placed at each end, whilst the secondary armament is mounted partly in small turrets, and partly in battery.

There is only a 4-in. belt on the waterline, with 6-in. plating on the heavy turrets. The full fuel supply is 1,450 tons. Her complement numbers 567 officers and men.

FÜRST BISMARCK.
(Completed 1900.)

This is the oldest armoured cruiser in service. She is at present being converted into a torpedo training ship, and may not have her full armament on board. The displacement is 10,750 tons, length 411-ft., speed 19 knots. She carries four 9·4-in., twelve 5·9-in., ten 21-pounders, and six torpedo tubes. The big guns are in two twin turrets. An 8-in. belt protects the waterline, and the main gun positions have plating of equal thickness. This vessel was completed in 1900, having taken more than four years to build. Her present fighting value is small. The complement is 594 officers and men.

PROTECTED CRUISERS.

KAISERIN AUGUSTA.
(Completed 1893.)

This is the oldest German protected cruiser in service. Launched in 1892, she has a displacement of 5,900 tons, and a speed of 20 knots. She is armed with twelve 5·9-in. quick-firing guns, and eight 21-pounders, with three torpedo tubes. There is a thick steel deck, which extends from bow to stern. The complement is 439 officers and men.

VICTORIA LUISE.
HERTHA.
VINETA.
HANSA.
FREYA.
(Completed 1898-99.)

These are vessels of 5,600 tons displacement, and belong to the training squadron for cadets and boys. They can steam at about 19 knots, but the small coal capacity of 900 tons limits their radius of action. The armament consists of two 8·2-in. guns in single armoured turrets, six 5·9-in., and fourteen 21-pounder quick-firers with three torpedo tubes.

Amidships there is a 4-in. protective deck, and armour of the same thickness protects the guns. A complement of 465 officers and men is carried.

GEFION.
(Completed 1894.)

This is a protected cruiser of 3,700 tons, with a speed of about 19 knots, armed with ten 4·1-in. and six smaller quick-firers. There are no torpedo tubes. A complement of 296 officers and men is carried.

HELA.
(Completed 1896.)

The “Hela” is a small cruiser of 2,000 tons, with a nominal speed of 20 knots. She is armed with two 21-pounder and four smaller guns, and has three torpedo tubes. There is a steel deck over boilers and machinery. The complement is 191 officers and men.

GAZELLE.
NIOBE.
(Completed 1898-1901.)

These vessels were the first fast light cruisers which Germany has built in such numbers during recent years. The displacement is 2,600 tons, and the present speed about 201/2 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two submerged torpedo tubes. With coal bunkers full the steaming radius at moderate speed is 4,000 knots. A 2-in. steel deck protects boilers and engines from shell fire. Complement: 270 officers and men.

NYMPHE.
THETIS.
ARIADNE.
AMAZONE.
MEDUSA.
FRAUENLOB.
UNDINE.
ARKONA.[5]
(Completed 1901-03.)

These ships are protected cruisers of 2,620 tons, with a speed of about 211/2 knots. Armament: Ten 4·1-in. quick-firers and two torpedo tubes. There is a 2-in. curved deck over boilers and machinery spaces. With a full coal supply on board, these cruisers have a steaming radius at low speed of slightly more than 4,000 knots. The complement numbers 275 officers and men.

[5] Fitted as a mine-layer.

HAMBURG.
BREMEN.
BERLIN.
DANZIG.
MÜNCHEN.
LÜBECK.
LEIPZIG.
(Completed 1904-06.)

These are protected cruisers of 3,200 tons, with a speed of over 22 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Starting with coal bunkers full, they are capable of steaming 5,000 knots at low speed without re-coaling. A complement of 303 officers and men is carried.

KŒNIGSBERG.
(Completed 1907.)

A protected cruiser of 3,350 tons, with a maximum speed of 24 knots. She was launched in 1905. Armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The radius of action at low speed is 5,000 knots. Complement: 322 officers and men.

STUTTGART.
STETTIN.
NURNBERG.
(Completed 1908.)

Protected cruisers of 3,350 tons, which are able to travel at nearly 25 knots. They are armed with ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The steaming radius at economical speed is 5,500 knots. Complement, 322 officers and men.

DRESDEN.
EMDEN.
(Completed 1907-08.)

Protected cruisers of 3,540 tons, with a maximum speed of 241/2 knots. The armament consists of ten 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. The steaming radius at low speed is about 5,800 knots. Complement, 361 officers and men.

KOLBERG.
MAINZ.
AUGSBURG.
CÖLN.
(Completed 1909-11.)

Protected cruisers of 4,280 tons, turbine driven, with a trial speed of nearly 27 knots. They are armed with twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. Their radius of action with bunkers full is nearly 6,000 knots. The complements consists of 379 officers and men.

MAGDEBURG.
BRESLAU.
STRASSBURG.
STRALSUND.
(Completed 1912.)

Fast cruisers of 4,478 tons, able to steam at nearly 28 knots. They are armed with twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. On the water-line there is 4-in. vertical armour, so that these vessels are, strictly speaking, armoured cruisers. They have a large coal supply, and can cover more than 6,000 knots without taking in fresh fuel. Complement: 370 officers and men.

ROSTOCK.
KARLSRUHE.
GRAUDENZ.
REGENSBURG.
(Completed 1913-14.)

These are the very latest fast light cruisers. They have a maximum speed of 28 knots. The armament is twelve 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. At the water-line there is an armour belt 4-in. thick, and much internal protection. The radius of action at economical speed is 6,500 knots. A complement of 373 officers and men is carried.

GUNBOATS.

CONDOR.
CORMORAN.
SEEADLER.
GEIER.
(Completed 1892-95.)

Gunboats of 1,600 tons, having a speed of 15 knots. They are armed with eight 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. Complement: 162 officers and men.

ILTIS.
JAGUAR.
TIGER.
LUCHS.
(Completed 1898-00.)

Gunboats of 880 tons, with a speed of about 14 knots, and armed with small quick-firing guns. The complement numbers 126 officers and men.

PANTHER.
EBER.
(Completed 1902-3.)

Gunboats of 900 tons and 14 knots speed. They carry two 4·1-in. and some smaller guns. Complement: 130 officers and men.

TORPEDO-BOAT DESTROYERS.

G 37-42. V 43-48.

Launched 1914. Displacement 650 tons, speed 321/2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73.

V 29-30. S 34-36.

Launched 1913. Displacement 650 tons, speed 321/2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73.

V 25-28. S 21-33.

Launched 1913. Displacement 620 tons, speed 321/2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73.

S 13-24. G 7-12. V 1-6.

Launched 1912. Displacement 550 tons, speed 321/2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 73.

G 192-197. V 186-191.

Launched 1910. Displacement 645 tons, speed 321/2 knots. Armament: Four torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

V 180-185. S 176-179.

Launched 1909. Displacement 630 tons, speed 32 knots. Armament: Four torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

G 174-175.

Launched 1910. Displacement 645 tons, speed 311/2 knots. Armament: Four torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

G 169, 170, 172, 173.

Launched 1908. Displacement 628 tons, speed 30 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

S 165-168.

Launched 1908. Displacement 600 tons, speed 32 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

V 162-164.

Launched 1909. Displacement 600 tons, Speed 30 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, two machine guns. Complement, 83.

V 150-161.

Launched 1907. Displacement 545 tons, speed 30 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 83.

S 138-149.

Launched 1906. Displacement 515 tons, speed 30 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, one 21-pounder quick-firer, three 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 80.

G 137.

Launched 1906. Displacement 565 tons, speed 30 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, one 21-pounder quick-firer, three 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 80.

G 136.

Launched 1906. Displacement 480 tons, speed 27 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, four 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 68.

G 135.

Launched 1906. Displacement 480 tons, speed 27 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, one 24-pounder quick-firer, two 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 68.

G 132-134.

Launched 1906. Displacement 480 tons, speed 27 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, four 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 68.

S 125-131.

Launched 1904. Displacement 480 tons, speed 27 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, three 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 60.

S 120-124.

Launched 1904. Displacement 460 tons, speed 27 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, three 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 60.

S 114-119.

Launched 1903. Displacement 415 tons, speed 26 knots. Armament: Three torpedo tubes, three 4-pounder quick-firers, and two machine guns. Complement, 56.

G 108-113. S 102-107. S 90-101.

Destroyers of 400 tons, launched in 1901. The maximum speed is 26 knots. Armament: Three small quick-firers, two machine guns, three torpedo tubes. The complement is 56 officers and men.

TAKU.

—This is a destroyer of 280 tons and 30 knots speed. She carries three small guns, and two torpedo tubes. Complement: 49 officers and men. She was captured from the Chinese during the Boxer campaign.

D 10.

—A destroyer of 350 tons and 28 knots speed, armed with five small guns, two machine guns, and two torpedo tubes. Complement, 60 officers and men.

D 9.

—An old destroyer of 375 tons and 24 knots speed. She carries three small guns, two Maxims, and three torpedo tubes. Complement, 49 officers and men.

D 3-8.

—Very old destroyers, of more than 300 tons displacement and about 22 knots speed. They carry some small guns and three torpedo tubes. Complement, 49 officers and men.

Helgoland. Photo: Topical War Service.

HELGOLAND CLASS.

HELGOLAND, OSTFRIESLAND, THÜRINGEN, OLDENBURG.

Displacement: 21,000 tons.

Speed: 21 knots; Guns: 12 12·2in., 14 6in., 14 24pdrs.; Torpedo tubes: 6.

Astern fire: Broadside: Ahead fire:
6 12·2in. 8 12·2in. 6 12·2in.
4 6in. 7 6in. 4 6in.

D 1 (CARMEN).
D 2 (ALICE ROOSEVELT).

Very old destroyers, displacing 225 tons, with a speed of 21 knots. Armament: five small guns and three torpedo-tubes. Complement, 46.

SUBMARINES.

U 1-2.

—These are the earliest German submarines, and displace about 150 to 200 tons. The speed above water does not exceed 9 knots, and two torpedo-tubes are carried. There is a crew of 11.

U 3-8.

—These boats belong to the second German type. The displacement is about 250 tons, and the surface and submerged speeds are 12 and 8 knots respectively. Three torpedo-tubes are fitted. Complement, 14 officers and men.

U 9-20.

—These boats are believed to be of about 400 tons, with a surface speed of 15 knots, and to be armed with three or four torpedo-tubes. The crew consists of 17 officers and men.

U 21-26.

—These submarines displace about 800 tons, and are said to be able to travel at 18 knots on the surface. They are armed with four torpedo-tubes and two small quick-firing guns. The complement is about 22 officers and men.

U 27-36.

—These boats are the very latest type. The displacement is about 900 tons, the surface speed 18 knots, and they can travel at 12 knots when submerged. The armament consists of four torpedo-tubes and two quick-firing guns on high-angle mountings. About 30 officers and men are carried.

MINE-LAYERS.

PELIKAN.

—This is the oldest German mine-layer in commission. She was launched in 1890, displaces 2,300 tons, and can steam at 151/2 knots. The armament consists of four 21-pounder quick-firing guns, and, of course, a large number of mines charged with high explosives. She is used as a sea-going training ship for mine work. The complement is 195 officers and men.

NAUTILUS.

—This ship was specially built for mine-laying work, and was launched in 1906. Her displacement is 1,935 tons, the designed speed 20 knots. She carries eight 21-pounder guns, and has magazines for a large number of naval mines, with special gear for dropping them. Her crew numbers 198 officers and men.

ALBATROSS.

—This ship, which was specially built for mine-laying work, was launched in 1907. The displacement is 2,185 tons, the designed speed 20 knots. She is armed with eight 21-pounder quick-firers, and has magazines for a large number of naval mines, with special gear for dropping them. The crew numbers 198 officers and men.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Clyx.com


Top of Page
Top of Page