German battleship SMS (ex-Ersatz Kaiser Wilhelm II) Württemberg 1915-1921

German König-class

Austrian Tegethoff-class

German Bayern-class

The Bayern-class, designed between 1910-1912, consisted of the Bayern, Baden, Sachsen and Württemberg, preceded by the König-class and was to be succeeded by the never realized L20a-class. Built under the Naval Law of 1912 when additionally budget was approved after the so-called Agadir crisis in April 1911 when French troops supported the Moroccan sultan in a rebellion. Germany sent the gunboat SMS Panther (later replaced by the cruiser SMS Berlin) to Agadir to test the relationship between France and the United Kingdom. In fact also the protection and expansion and of German colonial interests in Africa. Laid down at AG Vulcan, Hamburg, Germany with yard number 19 in January 1915, launched on 20 June 1917, one year from completion was the building stopped, stricken on 3 November 1919, sold and broken up ay Hamburg in 1921.

Displacement 28.880 (normal)-32.500 (full load) tons and as dimensions 181,8 (waterline)-182,4 (over all) x 30 x 9,3-9,4 metres or 596.5-598.5 x 98.5 x 30.6-30.10 feet. The outer hull plates were connected to the frames via riveting. Except for a double bottom covering 88% of the hulls length was as further protection the hull divided in 17 watertight compartments. The Krupp cemented armour consisted of 17-35cm/6.7-13.8” thick belt, 6-10cm/2.3-3.9” thick deck with the conning tower and turrets protected by respectively 40cm/16” and 10-35cm/3.9-13.8”. The armament consisted of 4x2-38cm/15” L/45 quick firing guns, 16x1-15cm/5.9 L/45 quick firing guns and 5x1-60cm/24” submerged torpedo tubes (1xbow, 2 on each broadside, the latter removed after 1917). At first was intended to fit this class with triple gun turrets but this idea was left regarded the problems of the Austrian Tegethoff-class battleships. This resulted in twin gun turrets and to compensate was a larger calibre mounted, instead of 12-30,5cm/12” guns was chosen for 8-38cm/15” guns. The crew numbered between 1.187-1.271 men (flagship). Was to be fitted out with machinery supplying 47.343 ship making a design speed of 22 knots possible.