German battle cruiser SMS (ex-Ersatz A) Fürst Bismarck 1915-1922

Derfflinger-class

Mackensen-class

Ersatz Yorck-class

Part of the Mackensen-class consisting of the Mackensen, Graf Spee, Prinz Eitel Friedrich and Fürst Bismarck, preceded by the Derfflinger-class and succeeded by the Ersatz Yorck-class. In 1923 started the design process of this class which was to be built under the 1914 budget year. The displacement and the dimensions were limited by the maximum draught of 9,3 metres which could be handled by the available dry docks in Germany. After acceptance of the design by the navy on 30 September 1912, approved also the German emperor the design on 2 May 1913. Original was this class to number 7 ships, but 3 were modified and to built as the Ersatz Yorck-class. Building ordered as -Ersatz A, laid down at the Wilhelmshaven Imperial Shipyard, Germany with yard number 25 on 3 November 1915, building stopped 26 months before she was completed and broken up on the slip in 1922.

Displacement 31.000 (standard)-35.300 (full load) tons and as dimensions 223 x 30,4 x 9,3 metres or 731.8 x 99.9 x 30.6 feet. The machinery consisted of 4 shaft Marine type geared turbines and 32 boilers supplying 88.769shp at 295 rpm allowing a speed of 28 knots and with a speed of 14 knots a range of 8.000 nautical miles. Crew numbered 1.186 men included 46 officers. The armament consisted of 4x2-35,cm/13.8” L/45 quick firing guns (super firing turrets for and aft of the main superstructure), 14-15cm/5.9” L/45 quick firing guns (in casemates), 8-8,8cm/3.45” anti aircraft guns and 5-60cm/24” submerged torpedo tubes. The Krupp cemented armour consisted 10cm/4”-30cm/12” thick belt, a 3cm/1.2”-8cm/3.1” thick deck with the main gun turrets, secondary armament and conning tower protected by respectively 11cm/4.3” (roof)-27cm/11” (sides), 15cm/5.9” casemates and 7cm/2.8” splinter gun shields and 13cm/5.1” (roof)-30cm/11.8” (sides) for the fore conning tower and 5cm/2” (roof)-20cm/7.9” (sides) for the aft conning tower.