Kiel again major German naval base according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant evening edition dated 30 December 1913

König-class battleships

The German newspaper Kieler Zeitung reported that on 1 April 1914 Kiel would become the major naval base instead of Wilhelmshaven for the battle fleet and Wilhelmshaven voor de scout cruisers. At Wilhelmshaven were to be stationed the 1st squadron battleships and the scout squadron and at Kiel the 2nd and 3rd squadrons battleships. Since 1 April 1910 were at Kiel just the 2nd squadron battleships and the small scout cruisers stationed. As a result were at Wilhelmshaven 8 battle ships, 4 large and 8 small cruisers in stead of 13 battleships and 4 large cruisers and at Kiel 13 battleships in stead of 8 battleships and 8 small cruisers. This resulted also in a decrease of the crews at Wilhelmshaven from 17,911 to 15,601 men and an increase at Kiel from 9,252 to 11,522 men. In the summer of 1914 were 3 new battleships of the König-class to be added to the 3rd squadron at Kiel. The less importance of the North Sea Station was probably a result of the improved relations with England and a world wide less intense political situation.