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.