SMS Oldenburg
Siegfried-class
Ordered as ‘P”, laid down at AG Weser, Bremen, Germany with yard number 100 in 1890, launched on 8 November 1890, commissioned on 1 April 1890, rebuilt in 1900-1902, demobilized and becoming target ship for submarines in 1915, served as ice breaker in the Baltic Sea in 1918, stricken on 17 June 1919, sold to Norddeeutscher Tiefbaugesellschaft, Berlin, Germany to be broken up, which was executed at Danzig in 1921.
Of the Siegfried-class consisting of the Siegfried, Beowulf, Frithjof, Heimdall, Hildebrand and Hagen, named after Norse mythological figures. Preceded by the Oldenburg-class and succeeded by the Odin-class. Within short time due the rapid technical evolution was this class outdated and were the Siegfried, Beowulf and Frithjof to be replaced by the Helgoland-class battleships Helgoland, Thüringen and Oldenburg and the Heimdall, Hildebrand and Hagen by the Kaiser, Friederich der Grosse and Kaiserin of the Kaiser-class battleships.
Displacement 3.500 tons and as dimensions 76,40 (waterline)-79 over all) x 14,90 x 5,70 metres or 250.8-259.2 x 48.11 x 18.8 feet. Two triple expansion steam engines and original 4 Locomotive boilers later 8 Marine type boilers supplied via 2 shafts 4.800 ihp allowing a speed of 15,1 knots. Their crew numbered 276 men. The armour consisted of a 18-24cm/7.1-9.4” thick belt. 3cm/1.2” thick deck with the gun turrets, barbettes and conning tower protected by respectively 20cm/7.9”, 20cm/7.9” and 18cm/7.1” thick armour. The armament consisted of 3x1-24cm/9.4” guns, 8x1-8,8cm/3.5” guns and 4-35cm/13.8” torpedo tubes. Rebuilt at the Kaiserliche Werft at Danzig in 1900-1902 resulting in a new length of 86,13 metres/282,6 feet and a displacement of 4.320 tons. Now 8 boilers added just like a second funnel, 35cm torpedo tubes replaced by 45cm/18” and 2-8.8cm guns added.
