An item reported that the German navy intended to convert two aged battleships of the Siegfried-class (1) into floating batteries for harbour defence. They were to be rebuilt in such a manner that it was nearly impossible to sink them. The armament was to consist of 28cm guns. If the test succeeded were two more battleships to be rebuilt. Despite their mediums size of just 4.200 ton were these ship very well built and could be armed with heavy guns. The old armour was to be replaced by a Krupp steel made armour belt. The increase of the weight was to be compensated by the removing the superstructure for the smaller guns.
Note
1. This coastal defence class consisted of the Siegfried, Hagen, Beowulf, Hildebrand, Heimdall and Frithjof built between 1888-1894, all stricken on 17 June 1919. With a displacement of 3.500 tons and as dimensions 76,40 (waterline)-78 (over all) x 14,90 x 5,70 metres or 250.8-259.2 x 48.11 x 18.8 feet. The original armament consisted of 3x1-24cm/9.4” guns, 8x1-8,8cm/3.5” guns and 4-35cm/13.8” torpedo tubes. The Hildebrand was laid down at the Kaiserliche Werft, Kiel, Germany on 9 December 1890, launched on 6 August 1892, commissioned on 28 October 1892 and wrecked on the strand at Scheveningen, Netherlands on 19 December 1919 where she was broken up en situ.
