World Battleships List: German Dreadnoughts
Revised 7 October 2001
Version 1.22
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
URL: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/battleships/
This list includes all German post-Dreadnought Battleships, Battlecruisers,
and Pocket Battleships
General Notes:
WWI German dreadnought production was part of the UK-Germany naval arms
race. Overall, German ships were slower but better armored than the
British ships. After one battlecruiser vs. battlecruiser engagement and
one full fleet engagement, the German fleet stayed home for most of the
war. One captured Russian ship was briefly used, she was turned over to
the Allies at the end of the war. Most of the German fleet was interned
at Scapa Flow 21 Nov 1918. The ships were scuttled by their crews upon
the expiration of the Armistice agreement 21 June 1919. The ships not
interned were distributed to the Allies after the war.
German 1930's/WWII ships were aimed at commerce raiding. Scharnhorst
and Bismarck met their end at sea, Graf Spee was scuttled
to avoid a battle, and the remainder of the fleet rotted in port after
the collapse of the German surface fleet, eventually being destroyed by
bombing raids.
Nassau class battleships
Displ: 18,570 tons normal; 20,210 tons full load
Dim: 479 x 88 x 26.5 feet
Prop: VTE engines, 12 boilers, 3 shafts, 22,000 hp, 19.5 knots
Crew: 1008 (1124-1139 wartime)
Arm: 6 dual 11/45, 12 single 5.9/45, 16 single 3.5/45, 6 17.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.1-11.8 inch belt, 2-11 inch barbettes, 11 inch turrets, 11.8 inch CT
First German dreadnoughts. Had severe rolling problems, turrets
poorly arranged.
Nassau
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 22 July 1907, launched
7 March 1908, commissioned 1 Oct 1909, operational 3 May 1910.
Stricken 5 Nov 1919, to Japan as reparations 7 April 1920, sold
June 1920, scrapped at Dordrecht 1921.
Westfalen
Built by Weser. Laid down 12 Aug 1907, launched 1 July 1908,
commissioned 16 Nov 1909, operational 3 May 1910. Torpedoed
19 Aug 1916. To gunnery training ship 1 Sept 1918. Stricken
5 Nov 1919, to England as reparations 5 Aug 1920, scrapped at
Birkenhead 1924.
Rheinland
Built by Vulcan. Laid down 1 June 1907, launched 26 Sept 1908,
commissioned 30 April 1910, operational 21 Sept 1910. Ran aground
11 April 1918, all guns and armor belt removed before floated off, she
was not repaired. To accommodation ship 1918, stricken 5 Nov 1919,
sold 28 June 1920, scrapped at Dordrecht 1921.
Posen
Built by Germaniawerft. Laid down 11 June 1907, launched 12 Dec 1908,
commissioned 31 May 1910, operational 21 Sept 1910. Stricken
5 Nov 1919, to England as reparations 13 May 1920, scrapped at
Dordrecht 1922.
Von Der Tann battlecruiser
Displ: 19,064 tons normal; 21,082 tons full load
Dim: 563 x 87 x 26.6 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 43,600 hp, 24.75 knots
Crew: 923 (1174 wartime)
Arm: 4 dual 11/45, 10 single 5.9/45, 16 single 3.5/45, 4 17/7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.1-9.8 inch belt, 1.2-9.1 inch barbettes, 9.1 inch turrets,
9.8 inch CT
First German battlecruiser, superior to British battlecruisers of
the time.
Von Der Tann
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 25 Feb 1908, launched 20 Feb 1909,
commissioned 1 Sept 1910, operational 20 Feb 1911. Damaged
31 May 1916 at Jutland, 2 15 inch, 2 13.5 inch hits, all main guns
disabled. Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1415 hrs. Raised
7 Dec 1930, scrapped at Rosyth 1931-1934.
Helgoland class battleships
Displ: 22,440 ton normal; 25,200 tons full load
Dim: 548.5 x 93.6 x 27 feet
Prop: VTE engines, 15 boilers, 3 shafts, 28,000 hp, 20.3 knots
Crew: 1113 (1284-1390 wartime)
Arm: 6 dual 12/50, 14 single 5.9/45, 14 single 3.5/45, 6 19.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.1-11.8 inch belt, 2.4-11.8 inch barbettes, 11.8 inch turrets,
11.8 inch CT
Improved Nassau class, much better sea boats.
Helgoland
Built by Howaldtswerke, Kiel. Laid down 24 Dec 1908, launched
25 Sept 1909, commissioned 23 Aug 1911, operational 19 Dec 1911.
Stricken 5 Nov 1919, to England as reparations 5 Aug 1920, scrapped
at Morecambe 1924.
Ostfriesland
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 19 Oct 1908, launched
30 Sept 1909, commissioned 1 Aug 1911, operational 15 Sept 1911.
Mined 1 June 1916, serious damage. To US as reparations postwar,
sunk as bombing target 21 July 1921.
Thuringen
Built by Weser, Bremen. Laid down 7 Nov 1908, launched
27 Nov 1909, commissioned 1 July 1911, operational 10 Sept 1911.
Stricken 5 Nov 1919, to France as reparations 29 April 1920, target
ship 1921, scrapped at Lorient 1922.
Oldenburg
Built by Schichau, Danzig. Laid down 1 Feb 1909, launched
30 June 1910, commissioned 1 May 1912, operational 1 July 1912.
Stricken 5 Nov 1919, to Japan as reparations 13 May 1920, scrapped
at Dordrecht 1921.
Moltke class battlecruisers
Displ: 22,616 tons normal; 25,300 tons full load
Dim: 612 x 97 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 24 boilers, 4 shafts, 52,000 shp, 25.5 knots
Crew: 1053 (1355 wartime)
Arm: 5 dual 11/50, 12 5.9/45, 12 3.5 inch, 4 19.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.9-10.6 inch belt, 1.2-9.1 inch barbettes, 9.1 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Moltke
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 7 Dec 1908, launched 7 April 1910,
commissioned 30 Sept 1911, operational 31 March 1912. Torpedoed
19 Aug 1915, minor damage 31 May 1916 at Jutland. Machinery
failure on starboard shaft 24 April 1918, torpedoed 26 April 1918
while still disabled. Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1310
hrs. Raised 10 June 1927, scrapped 1927-1929.
Goeben
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 28 Aug 1909, launched 28 March 1911,
commissioned 2 July 1912, operational 28 Aug 1912. Transferred to
Turkey (with German crew) and renamed Yavuz Sultan Selim
16 Aug 1914, to Turkish control 2 Nov 1918. Damaged numerous times
during WWI (total of 6 12", 5 mines, 3 bombs). Interned at Ismit
1918-1926, becoming totally unserviceable. Rebuilt at Ismit 1927-1930
to repair war damage. After reconstruction she was 22,734 tons
standard, reboilered for 27.1 knots, 10 11 inch, 10 5.9 inch, 6 3.5
inch, 4 MG, 2 TT, crew of 1300. Renamed Yavuz 1936, refitted
1938. Stationary after 1948. Received NATO hull number B70 in
1952. Decommissioned 20 Dec 1960, stricken 14 Nov 1964. Preservation
efforts failed, sold 1971, scrapped 6/73-3/76.
Kaiser class battleships
Displ: 24,330 tons normal; 27,400 tons full load
Dim: 565.5 x 95 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 16 boilers, 3 shafts, 31,000 hp, 21 knots
(except Luitpold, turbines, 2 shafts, 26,000 hp)
Crew: 1084 (1249-1278 wartime)
Arm: 5 dual 12/50, 14 single 5.9/45, 8 single 3.5/45, 4 3.5 inch AA,
5 19.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.1-13.8 inch belt, 3.1-11.8 inch barbettes, 11.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
New and greatly improved design.
Kaiser
Built by Kiel Navy. Laid down 12/1909, launched 22 March 1911,
commissioned 1 Aug 1912, operational 7 Dec 1912. Scuttled at
Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1325 hrs. Raised 20 March 1939,
scrapped.
Friedrich Der Grosse
Built by Vulcan, Hamburg. Laid down 26 Jan 1910, launched
10 June 1911, commissioned 15 Oct 1912, operational 22 Jan 1913.
Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1216 hrs. Raised
29 April 1937, scrapped.
Kaiserin
Built by Howaldtswerke, Kiel. Laid down 11/1910, launched 11 Nov 1911,
commissioned 14 May 1913, operational 13 Dec 1913. Scuttled at Scapa
21 June 1919, sank at 1400 hrs. Raised 11 May 1936, scrapped.
Konig Albert
Built by Schichau, Danzig. Laid down 17 July 1910, launched
27 April 1912, commissioned 31 July 1913, operational 8 Nov 1913.
Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1254 hrs. Raised 31 July 1935,
scrapped.
Prinzregent Luitpold
Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. Laid down 1/1911, launched 17 Feb 1912,
commissioned 19 Aug 1913, operational 6 Dec 1913. 12,000 hp diesel
planned for center shaft was never installed. Scuttled at Scapa
21 June 1919, sank at 1330 hrs. Raised 9 July 1931, scrapped.
Seydlitz battlecruiser
Displ: 24,594 tons normal; 28,100 tons full load
Dim: 658 x 93.5 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 27 boilers, 4 shafts, 63,000 hp, 26.5 knots
Crew: 1068
Arm: 5 dual 11/50, 12 single 5.9/45, 12 single 3.5/45, 4 19.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.9-11.8 inch belt, 1.2-9.1 inch barbettes, 9.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Enlarged and improved Moltke class.
Seydlitz
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 4 Feb 1911, launched 30 March 1912,
commissioned 22 May 1913, operational 17 Aug 1913. Damaged at Dogger
Bank, mined 24 April 1916. Hit by 1 torpedo, 8 15 inch, 6 13.5 inch
and 8 12 inch shells at Jutland, was nearly lost. Scuttled at Scapa
21 June 1919, sank at 1350 hrs. Raised 2 Nov 1928, scrapped.
Konig class battleships
Displ: 25,390 tons normal; 29,200 tons full load
Dim: 575.5 x 97 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 15 boilers, 3 shafts, 31,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 1136 (1284-1315 wartime)
Arm: 5 dual 12/50, 14 single 5.9/45, 6 single 3.5/45, 4 3.5 inch AA,
5 19.7 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.1-13.8 inch belt, 3.1-11.8 inch barbettes, 11.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Improved Kaiser class with better turret arrangement.
Konig
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 10/1911, launched 1 March 1913,
commissioned 10 Aug 1914, operational 1/1915. Hit by 1 15 inch and 9
13.5 inch shells at Jutland 31 May 1916. Scuttled at Scapa 21 June
1919, sank at 1400 hrs. Not salvaged.
Grosser Kurfurst
Built by Vulcan. Laid down 10/1911, launched 5 May 1913, commissioned
30 July 1914, operational 9/1914. Torpedoed 5 Nov 1915, hit by 5 15
inch and 3 13.5 inch shells at Jutland 31 May 1916. Mined 12 Oct 1917.
Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1330 hrs. Raised
29 April 1933, scrapped.
Markgraf
Built by Weser, Bremen. Laid down 11/1911, launched 4 June 1913,
commissioned 1 Oct 1914, operational 1/1915. Hit by 3 15 inch,
1 13.5 inch and 1 12 inch at Jutland 31 May 1916. Mined 29 Oct 1917.
Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1645 hrs. Not salvaged.
Kronprinz
Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. Laid down 5/1912, launched 21 Feb 1914,
commissioned 8 Nov 1914, operational 2/1915. Torpedoed 5 Nov 1916.
Renamed Kronprinz Wilhelm 27 Jan 1918. Scuttled at Scapa
21 June 1919, sank at 1315 hrs. Not salvaged.
Derfflinger class battlecruisers
Displ: 26,180 tons normal; 30,707 tons full load
Dim: 690 x 95 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 63,000 hp, 26.5 knots
Crew: 1112 (1391 wartime)
Arm: 4 dual 12/50, 12 single 5.9/45, 4 single 3.5/45, 4 19.7 inch TT (sub)
(Lutzow: 2 additional 5.9 inch, no 3.5 inch, 23.6 inch TT (sub))
Armor: 3.9-11.8 inch belt, 1.2-10.2 inch barbettes, 10.6 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Derfflinger
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 1/1912, launched 1 July 1913,
commissioned 1 Sept 1914, operational 11/1914. Hit by 10 15 inch,
1 13.5 inch and 10 12 inch shells at Jutland 31 May 1916. Scuttled at
Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1445 hrs. Raised 1939, scrapped.
Lutzow
Built by Schichau, Danzig. Laid down 5/1912, launched 29 Nov 1913,
commissioned 8 Aug 1915, operational 3/1916. Hit by 4 15 inch, 12 13.5
inch and 8 12 inch shells at Jutland 31 May 1916, scuttled 1 June 1916
due to damage. At the time of scuttling the waterline had reached
the top of the #2 barbette.
Bayern class battleships
Displ: 28,074 tons normal; 31,691 tons full load
Dim: 590 x 98.5 x 28 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 14 boilers, 3 shafts, 48,000 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 1187-1271
Arm: 4 dual 15/45, 16 single 5.9/45, 8 single 3.5 inch AA, 5 23.6 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4.7-13.8 inch belt, 1-13.8 inch barbettes, 13.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Bayern
Built by Howaldtswerke, Kiel. Laid down 1/1914, launched 18 Feb 1915,
commissioned 18 March 1916, operational 39 June 1916. Mined
12 Oct 1917. Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1430 hrs.
Raised 1 Sept 1934, scrapped at Rosyth.
Baden
Built by Schichau, Danzig. Laid down 20 Dec 1913, launched
30 Oct 1915, commissioned 19 Oct 1916, operational 2/1917. Scuttled at
Scapa but beached to prevent sinking. Later used for tests,
sunk as target 16 Aug 1921.
Hindenburg battlecruiser
Displ: 26,513 tons normal; 31,000 tons full load
Dim: 698 x 95 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 18 boilers, 4 shafts, 72.000 hp, 27.5 knots
Crew: 1182
Arm: 4 dual 12/50, 14 single 5.9/45, 4 3.5 inch AA, 4 23.6 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.9-11.8 inch belt, 1.2-10.2 inch barbettes, 10.6 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Slightly modified Derfflinger class design.
Hindenburg
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 30 June 1913, launched
1 Aug 1915, commissioned 10 May 1917, operational 20 Oct 1917.
Scuttled at Scapa 21 June 1919, sank at 1700 hrs. Raised 1926, sank
again, raised 23 July 1930, scrapped.
Imperatritsa Mariya class battleship
Displ: 22,600 tons normal; 24,000 tons full load
Dim: 550.5 x 89.5 x 27.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 20 boilers, 4 shafts, 26,500 hp, 21 knots
Crew: 1220
Arm: 4 triple 12.52, 20 5.1/55, 8 75 mm, 4 47 mm, 4 MG, 4 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 5-11 inch belt, 3 inch decks, 10 inch barbettes, 12 inch turrets,
12 inch CT
Russian battleship seized 1918.
Volya (ex Imperator Aleksander III)
Built by Russud Yard, Nikolayev. Laid down 30 Oct 1911, launched
15 April 1914, renamed 29 April 1917, completed 28 June 1917.
To independent Ukraine 29 April 1918, seized by the Germans
and commissioned 15 Oct 1918. To the British 11/1918, to the
White Russians as General Alekseev 17 Oct 1919. Interned
at Bizerta following the White Russian's collapse 8/1920.
Decommissioned 1924, scrapped by the French by 1936.
Sachsen class battleships
Displ: 28,345 tons normal; 31,987 tons full load
(Wurttemberg: 28,247 tons normal; 31,700 tons full load)
Dim: 598.5 x 98.5 x 28 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 9 boilers, 2 shafts, 31,800 hp plus 1 diesel,
one shaft, 12,000 hp, combined 21.5 knots
(Wurttemberg steam turbines, 12 boilers, 3 shafts, 48,000 hp, 22 knots)
Crew: 1165 (Wurttemberg: 1196)
Arm: 4 dual 15/45, 16 single 5.9/45, 8 3.5 inch AA, 5 23.6 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4.7-13.8 inch belt, 1.6-13.8 inch barbettes, 13.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Lengthened Bayern class design.
Sachsen
Built by Germaniawerft, Kiel. Laid down 7 April 1914, launched
21 Nov 1916. Not completed due to end of war. Scrapped 1921.
Wurttemberg
Built by Vulcan. Laid down 4 Jan 1915, launched 21 June 1917.
Not completed due to end of war. Scrapped 1921.
Mackensen class battlecruisers
Displ: 30,500 tons normal; 34,742 tons full load
Dim: 731.5 x 100 x 27.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 32 boilers, 4 shafts, 90,000 hp, 28 knots
Crew: 1186
Arm: 4 dual 13.8/45, 12 single 5.9/45, 8 3.5 inch AA, 5 23.6 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.9-11.8 inch belt, 3.9-11.4 inch barbettes, 12.6 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Construction was stopped at the end of the war.
Mackensen
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 30 Jan 1915, launched 21 April 1917.
Not completed due to end of war. Scrapped 1923-1924.
Ersatz Freya (ex Prinz Eitel Friedrich)
Built by Blohm & Voss, laid down 1 May 1915, launched 13 March 1920
to clear slip. Scrapped 1920-22.
Graf Spee
Built by Schichau, Danzig. Laid down 30 Nov 1915, launched
15 Sept 1917. Scrapped 1921-23.
Ersatz A (ex Furst Bismarck)
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 3 Nov 1915, renamed
Ersatz Friedrich Carl. Scrapped on slip 1922. Would have had
hydraulic drive main turbines.
Ersatz Yorck class battlecruisers
Displ: 33,000 tons normal; 37,400 tons full load
Dim: 747.5 x 100 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, hydraulic drive, 32 boilers, 4 shafts, 90,000 hp,
27.25 knots
Crew: 1227
Arm: 4 dual 15/45, 12 single 5.9/45, 8 3.5 (or 4.1) inch AA, 3 23.6
(or 27.6) inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3.9-11.8 inch belt, 3.5-11.8 inch barbettes, 11.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Ordered as Mackensen class, changed to modified design with
15 inch guns 1/1917.
Ersatz York
Laid down at Vulcan, Hamburg 7/1916. Cancelled after 1000-1100
tons had been assembled, scrapped.
Ersatz Gneisenau
Would have been built by Germaniawerft, Kiel.
Ersatz Scharnhorst
Would have been built at Blohm & Voss; would have had
direct drive main turbines.
Cancelled battleships
Displ: 43,800 tons normal; 48,700 tons full load
Dim: 781 x 110 x 29.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 22 boilers, 4 shafts, 100,000 hp, 26 knots
Crew: ??
Arm: 4 dual 16.5/45, 12 single 5.9/45, 8 single 3.5 (or 4.1) inch AA,
3 23.6 (or 27.6) inch TT (sub)
Armor: 5.1-13.8 inch belt, 3.9-13.8 inch barbettes, 13.8 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Design selected for production 11 Sept 1918, none ever started.
Deutschland class raiding cruisers
Displ: 11,700 tons standard; 15,900-16,200 tons full load
Dim: 610 x 71 x 24 feet
Prop: 8 Diesels, 54,000 hp, 2 shafts, 28 knots
Crew: 619-1,150
Arm: 2 triple 11 inch, 8 single 5.9 inch, 3 dual 4.1/65,
4 dual 37 mm, 6 20 mm, 8 21 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 2.25-3 inch belt, 1.5 inch deck, 3.25-5.5 inch turrets, 6 inch CT
Designed as long range commerce raiders, powerful enough to sink
anything they could not outrun and fast enough to outrun anything they
could not sink, except for HMS Hood, Renown and Repulse. Often classed
as "pocket battleships"; officially listed as Panzerschiffe
("armored ships"). In reality they were raiding cruisers built to
light cruiser standards and equipped with an exceptionally heavy main
battery. Built under a clause in the Treaty of Versailles that allowed
Germany to build ships up to 10,000 tons with guns of up to 11 inches;
this was intended to allow coast defense battleships. Two further
ships of this class were redesigned to become the Scharnhorst
class in response to the French Dunkerque class. Deutschland
varied in the style and arrangement of the superstructure.
Deutschland
Built by Deutsche Werke. Laid down 5 Feb 1929, launched 19 May 1931,
commissioned 1 April 1933. Renamed Lutzow and reclassified as
a heavy cruiser 2/40. Severely damaged during invasion of Norway
9 April 1940, torpedoed 10 April 1940, out of service until June 1941.
Torpedoed again June 1941, run aground 1942, refitted by October 1943.
Used as training ship until 1944, then used in evacuation of the
eastern provinces, sunk by bombs in the Kaiserfahrt Canal
16 April 1945. Raised, used as stationary gun battery until severe
fire forced scuttling 4 May 1945. Raised and scrapped by the Soviets
postwar.
Admiral Scheer
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 25 June 1931, launched
1 April 1933, commissioned 12 Nov 1934. Refitted 1940 and
reclassified as a heavy cruiser. Commerce raiding October 1940
to March 1941, no further noteworthy action. 20 additional 20 mm
added by 1945. Bombed and capsized at Kiel 9-10 April 1945. Hulk
stripped and partially scrapped, then buried by a new pier.
Admiral Graf Spee
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 1 Oct 1932, launched
30 June 1934 commissioned 6 Jan 1936. Commerce raiding from the
beginning of the war. Damaged by cruisers Ajax, Achilles
and Exeter off the River Plate 13 Dec 1939, fled to Montevideo.
Blown up by the crew off Montevideo 17 Dec 1939 to avoid internment
or battle against an imagined superior force.
Scharnhorst class light battleships
Displ: 34,841 tons standard; 38,900 tons full load
Dim: 754 x 98.5 x 27 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 12 boilers, 3 shafts, 165,000 hp, 32 knots
Crew: 1669-1840
Arm: 3 triple 11/54.5, 4 dual, 4 single 5.9/55, 7 dual 4.1/65, 8 dual
37 mm, 8 single 20 mm.
Armor: 6.7-13.8 inch belt, 2 inch deck, 14.2 inch turrets, 13.8 inch CT
Designed as 'unsinkable' commerce raiders, sometimes classified as
battlecruisers because of small main guns. Really were small
battleships, with smaller guns and armor on the battleship scale.
Designed to allow replacement of triple 11 inch guns with dual 15 inch.
These vessels were a reply to the French Dunkerque class.
Both lengthened to 777.5 feet 1938-39 by addition of a clipper bow.
Scharnhorst
Built by Wilhelmshaven Navy. Laid down 16 May 1935, launched
30 June 1936, commissioned 7 Jan 1939. Received an additional
24 20mm AA and 6 torpedo tubes during the war. Helped sink
Glorious 8 June 1940. Sunk 26 Dec 1943 off the North Cape of
Norway by gunfire from Duke Of York and cruisers, and cruiser and
destroyer torpedoes.
Gneisenau
Built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel. Laid down 3 May 1935, launched
8 Dec 1936, commissioned 21 May 1938. Received an additional
12 20 mm AA during the war. Helped sink Glorious 8 June 1940.
Minor damage in action with HMS Renown 8 April 1940.
Torpedoed with severe damaged to bow 20 June 1940. Torpedoed
in stern 6 April 1941 at Brest, then hit by four bombs while
in drydock 10 April 1941. Repairs took until 1/1942. Mined
12 Feb 1942 during escape from France to Germany. Bombed 26-27
February 1942 while in drydock repairing mine damage. Bow completely
destroyed by explosion of munitions, #1 turret also destroyed.
Conversion to 6x15 inch guns, with entirely new bow, started;
bow removed back to #1 barbette, all heavy guns removed.
Decommissioned 1 July 1942. All work halted 1/1943. Scuttled
at Gotenhaven 27-28 March 1945 as a blockship. Scrapping started
1947, hulk refloated 12 Sept 1951 and towed away to finish
scrapping.
Bismarck class battleships
Displ: 41,700 tons standard; 50,900 tons full load
(Tirpitz 42,900 standard; 52,600 tons full load)
Dim: 813.5 x 118 x 28.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 12 boilers, 3 shafts, 138,00 hp, 29 knots
Crew: 2092 (Tirpitz 2608)
Arm: 4 dual 15/47, 6 dual 5.9/55, 8 dual 4.1/65, 8 dual 37 mm, 12 20 mm
Armor: 10.6-12.6 inch belt, 3.1-4.7 inch deck, 14.2 inch turrets,
13.8 inch CT
Designed as long range unsinkable commerce raiders, design
was based on WWI Baden class.
Bismarck
Built by Blohm & Voss. Laid down 1 July 1936, launched 14 Feb 1939,
commissioned 27 Aug 1940. Pursued by much of the British fleet
during her first attempt to break out, damaged by 14" shells
24 May 1941, later torpedoed, brought into battle 27 May 1941,
wrecked by gunfire and sunk by torpedoes and scuttling charges.
Tirpitz
Built by Wilhemshaven Navy. Laid down 20 Oct 1936, launched
1 April 1939, commissioned 25 Feb 1941. Received 28 additional
20 mm AA, 6 torpedo tubes during the war. Mined by British
subs 9/1943 and later bombed, raid on 15 Sept 1944 rendered
her unfit for operations. Moored at Tromso as a floating
fortress. Capsized 12 Nov 1944 after multiple hits and near misses
from 12,000 pound Tallboy bombs. Scrapped 1948-1957.
H class battleships
Displ: 55,453 tons standard; 62,487 tons full load
Dim: 911.5 x 122 x 33.6 feet
Prop: 12 Diesels, 3 shafts, 165,000 hp, 30 knots
Crew: 2600
Arm: 4 dual 16/47, 6 dual 5.9/55, 8 dual 4.1/65, 8 dual 37 mm, 6 quad 20 mm,
6 21 inch TT
Armor: 7.1-11.8 inch belt, 3.9-4.78 inch deck, 15.2 inch turrets,
15.4 inch CT
Part of Plan Z, enlarged Bismarck design. Cancelled 10 Oct 1939
due to war, only two laid down.
"H" Laid down at Blohm & Voss 15 July 1939, scrapped.
"J" Laid down at A G Weser, Bremen 15 Aug 1939, scrapped
"K" Would have been built at Deutsche Werke, Kiel
"L" Would have been built at Wilhelmshaven Navy
"M" Would have been built at Blohm & Voss
"N" Would have been built at A G Weser, Bremen
P class battlecruisers
Displ: 30,500 tons standard; 35,720 tons full load
Dim: 841.5 x 98.5 x 34.5 feet
Prop: 8 diesels, 2 shafts, 116,000 hp, 27 knots
plus steam turbine, 4 boilers, 60,000 hp, total 176,000 hp, 33.4 knots
Crew: 1965
Arm: 3 dual 15/47, 3 dual 5.9/48, 8 single 4.1/65, 4 dual 37 mm,
20 single 20 mm, 6 21 inch TT
Armor: 3.9-7.1 inch belt, 3.1 inch deck, 8.2 inch turrets, 7.9 inch CT
Part of Plan Z, were to be long-range commerce raiders. None
laid down. Unlike the previous "battlecruiser" class (Scharnhorst
class light battleships), these were truly protected on the
battlecruiser scale.
"O" Would have been built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel
"P" Would have been built by Wilhemshaven Navy
"Q" Would have been built by Germaniawerft, Kiel
The World Battleship Lists
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2003 by Andrew Toppan
Reproduction, reuse or distribution without permission is prohibited