#highseasfleet

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German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Deutschland

SMS Deutschland was the lead ship of the Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships (along with her sisters Schlesien, Schleswig-Holstein, Pommern, and Hannover) of the Imperial German Navy. She was laid down at Germaniawerft in Kiel in 1903, launched in November 1904, and commissioned in August 1906. The class was the last series of German pre-dreadnoughts, comprising Deutschland, Hannover, Pommern, Schlesien, and Schleswig-Holstein.

When completed, Deutschland was already overshadowed by HMS Dreadnought, launched the same year. Nonetheless, she and her sisters formed the backbone of the High Seas Fleet’s II Battle Squadron during the early years of the First World War.

Deutschland displaced just under 14,000 tons at full load and was armed with four 28 cm (11 in) SK L/40 main guns in two twin turrets fore and aft. Her secondary battery consisted of fourteen 17 cm (6.7 in) guns, supported by lighter 8.8 cm weapons for defence against torpedo craft, and six submerged torpedo tubes. Protection was considerable for a ship of her generation, with a 225 mm (8.9 in) belt and 280 mm (11 in) armour on the main turrets. She could make a maximum speed of around 18 knots, powered by three triple-expansion engines fed by twelve coal-fired boilers.

During peacetime before 1914, Deutschland served as flagship of the fleet until replaced by the dreadnought Nassau. She participated in the usual programme of training cruises, fleet manoeuvres, and diplomatic visits, strengthening Germany’s naval prestige.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Deutschland and her sisters were mobilised as II Battle Squadron. Although obsolete compared to dreadnoughts, they were still used for patrols in the North Sea and Baltic. In the Battle of Jutland (31 May–1 June 1916), Deutschland and the rest of II Squadron were assigned to the rear of the German line. Owing to their slow speed and vulnerability, they were kept out of the main action and saw little fighting. Late on the first day of the battle, Deutschland and the other pre-dreadnoughts briefly engaged several British battlecruisers before retreating. Their presence, however, tied down German resources, as they were a liability in any fleet action against the faster British Grand Fleet.

After Jutland, Deutschland and the other pre-dreadnoughts of II Squadron were withdrawn from front-line service. Deutschland became a guard ship and was later disarmed and used depot ship as the navy concentrated on its more modern dreadnoughts and battlecruisers.

Following the Armistice in 1918, Deutschland was struck from the naval register in March 1920 under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. She was broken up for scrap in 1922–23.

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German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Pommern

SMS Pommern was the second ship of the Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships (along with her sisters Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Schlesien, and Hannover) of the Imperial German Navy. Built at the AG Vulcan shipyard in Stettin, she was laid down in 1903, launched in December 1905, and commissioned in August 1907. As with her sister ships Deutschland, Hannover, Schlesien, and Schleswig-Holstein, Pommern was already obsolete when completed, as HMS Dreadnought had entered service in 1906 and rendered earlier battleship designs outclassed.

Pommern displaced just over 13,000 tons and was armed with a main battery of four 28 cm (11 in) SK L/40 guns in two twin turrets, one forward and one aft. Her secondary armament included fourteen 17 cm (6.7 in) SK L/40 guns and twenty-two 8.8 cm SK L/35 quick-firing guns, together with six 45 cm torpedo tubes. She had a top speed of 18 knots, powered by three triple-expansion steam engines with coal-fired boilers. Armour protection was typical of German pre-dreadnoughts, with a belt of up to 225 mm and heavily protected turrets and conning tower.

During her peacetime career, Pommern served with the I Battle Squadron and later with the II Squadron after newer dreadnoughts entered service. Like her sisters, she took part in training manoeuvres, gunnery practice, and goodwill cruises before the First World War.

When war broke out in 1914, Pommern was mobilised with the II Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet. These older battleships carried out patrols and fleet sorties in the North Sea, but by 1916 they were increasingly vulnerable to modern dreadnoughts, battlecruisers, submarines, and mines. Nonetheless, they were still deployed in the fleet to provide numbers and absorb enemy attention.

Pommern’s fate came at the Battle of Jutland, fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916. As part of Vice Admiral Scheer’s main fleet, she was stationed at the rear of the German line with the other pre-dreadnoughts. On the night of 31 May–1 June, Pommern became engaged with British destroyers and torpedo boats during chaotic night actions. Shortly after midnight on 1 June, she was struck by a torpedo fired from the destroyer HMS Onslaught. The hit detonated one of her ammunition magazines, and Pommern exploded with the loss of all hands, numbering more than 800 officers and men. She was the only German battleship sunk during the battle.

Pommern’s destruction highlighted the vulnerability of pre-dreadnoughts in modern fleet actions and reinforced the German naval command’s decision to withdraw these ships from front-line service after Jutland.

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German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Pommern

SMS Pommern was the second ship of the Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships (along with her sisters Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Schlesien, and Hannover) of the Imperial German Navy. Built at the AG Vulcan shipyard in Stettin, she was laid down in 1903, launched in December 1905, and commissioned in August 1907. As with her sister ships Deutschland, Hannover, Schlesien, and Schleswig-Holstein, Pommern was already obsolete when completed, as HMS Dreadnought had entered service in 1906 and rendered earlier battleship designs outclassed.

Pommern displaced just over 13,000 tons and was armed with a main battery of four 28 cm (11 in) SK L/40 guns in two twin turrets, one forward and one aft. Her secondary armament included fourteen 17 cm (6.7 in) SK L/40 guns and twenty-two 8.8 cm SK L/35 quick-firing guns, together with six 45 cm torpedo tubes. She had a top speed of 18 knots, powered by three triple-expansion steam engines with coal-fired boilers. Armour protection was typical of German pre-dreadnoughts, with a belt of up to 225 mm and heavily protected turrets and conning tower.

During her peacetime career, Pommern served with the I Battle Squadron and later with the II Squadron after newer dreadnoughts entered service. Like her sisters, she took part in training manoeuvres, gunnery practice, and goodwill cruises before the First World War.

When war broke out in 1914, Pommern was mobilised with the II Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet. These older battleships carried out patrols and fleet sorties in the North Sea, but by 1916 they were increasingly vulnerable to modern dreadnoughts, battlecruisers, submarines, and mines. Nonetheless, they were still deployed in the fleet to provide numbers and absorb enemy attention.

Pommern’s fate came at the Battle of Jutland, fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916. As part of Vice Admiral Scheer’s main fleet, she was stationed at the rear of the German line with the other pre-dreadnoughts. On the night of 31 May–1 June, Pommern became engaged with British destroyers and torpedo boats during chaotic night actions. Shortly after midnight on 1 June, she was struck by a torpedo fired from the destroyer HMS Onslaught. The hit detonated one of her ammunition magazines, and Pommern exploded with the loss of all hands, numbering more than 800 officers and men. She was the only German battleship sunk during the battle.

Pommern’s destruction highlighted the vulnerability of pre-dreadnoughts in modern fleet actions and reinforced the German naval command’s decision to withdraw these ships from front-line service after Jutland.

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German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Schleswig-Holstein

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German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Pommern

SMS Pommern was the second ship of the Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships (along with her sisters Deutschland, Schleswig-Holstein, Schlesien, and Hannover) of the Imperial German Navy. Built at the AG Vulcan shipyard in Stettin, she was laid down in 1903, launched in December 1905, and commissioned in August 1907. As with her sister ships Deutschland, Hannover, Schlesien, and Schleswig-Holstein, Pommern was already obsolete when completed, as HMS Dreadnought had entered service in 1906 and rendered earlier battleship designs outclassed.

Pommern displaced just over 13,000 tons and was armed with a main battery of four 28 cm (11 in) SK L/40 guns in two twin turrets, one forward and one aft. Her secondary armament included fourteen 17 cm (6.7 in) SK L/40 guns and twenty-two 8.8 cm SK L/35 quick-firing guns, together with six 45 cm torpedo tubes. She had a top speed of 18 knots, powered by three triple-expansion steam engines with coal-fired boilers. Armour protection was typical of German pre-dreadnoughts, with a belt of up to 225 mm and heavily protected turrets and conning tower.

During her peacetime career, Pommern served with the I Battle Squadron and later with the II Squadron after newer dreadnoughts entered service. Like her sisters, she took part in training manoeuvres, gunnery practice, and goodwill cruises before the First World War.

When war broke out in 1914, Pommern was mobilised with the II Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet. These older battleships carried out patrols and fleet sorties in the North Sea, but by 1916 they were increasingly vulnerable to modern dreadnoughts, battlecruisers, submarines, and mines. Nonetheless, they were still deployed in the fleet to provide numbers and absorb enemy attention.

Pommern’s fate came at the Battle of Jutland, fought from 31 May to 1 June 1916. As part of Vice Admiral Scheer’s main fleet, she was stationed at the rear of the German line with the other pre-dreadnoughts. On the night of 31 May–1 June, Pommern became engaged with British destroyers and torpedo boats during chaotic night actions. Shortly after midnight on 1 June, she was struck by a torpedo fired from the destroyer HMS Onslaught. The hit detonated one of her ammunition magazines, and Pommern exploded with the loss of all hands, numbering more than 800 officers and men. She was the only German battleship sunk during the battle.

Pommern’s destruction highlighted the vulnerability of pre-dreadnoughts in modern fleet actions and reinforced the German naval command’s decision to withdraw these ships from front-line service after Jutland.

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Aircraft Carrier Courageous seen in Lisbon (Portugal), 1932.

This Royal Navy vessel was first built as leadship of the Courageous class cruisers, for the First World War. After the conflict was over she was converted into an aircraft carrier and served in an early stage of the Second World War, being torpedoed by enemy fire right in 1939.

Photos found on: Arquivo da Torre do Tombo