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.