The German naval strength according to the Dutch newspaper Vlissingse Courant dated 7 September 1884

The Germany navy consisted of 13 armoured frigates and corvettes, 1 monitor, 12 armoured coastal defence vessels, 22 large and small non armoured corvettes, 5 cruisers, 6 gunboats, 8 advice vessels and 2 small transports, totally 70 units and 11 torpedo boats and 19 being build. Some units were of an aged design.