CHAPTER III
The German Navy
GERMAN BATTLESHIPS.
DREADNOUGHTS.
KÖNIG CLASS.
(Completed 1914-15.)
GROSSER KURFÜRST.
KÖNIG.
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.