New Ships of the Hochseeflotte for 1906

[swamphen]

GTB-1906 type großes torpedobooten

The fastest torpedoboot yet built for the Reich, the type reverts to the 50mm calibre due to weight concerns. The class will be comprised of twelve vessels, to be alotted to the Indischerflotte (Ost Afrika/Goa/Chagos), Atlantikflotte (Brazil) and Amerikaflotte (Atacama).

------------

T109 to T120



GTB1906, Brandenburgian Großes Torpedobooten laid down 1906 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   749 t light; 768 t standard; 897 t normal; 1,000 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   282.15 ft / 278.87 ft x 27.89 ft x 10.09 ft (normal load)
   86.00 m / 85.00 m x 8.50 m  x 3.08 m

Armament:
      2 - 1.97" / 50.0 mm guns in single mounts, 3.86lbs / 1.75kg shells, 1903 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on centreline ends, evenly spread
      2 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns in single mounts, 1.10lbs / 0.50kg shells, 1905 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
      2 - 0.30" / 7.7 mm guns in single mounts, 0.01lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1902 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts

   Weight of broadside 10 lbs / 5 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150

   6 - 17.7" / 450 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 22,781 shp / 16,995 Kw = 31.10 kts
   Range 4,500nm at 10.00 kts (Bunkerage = 231 tons)

Complement:
   81 - 106

Cost:
   £0.101 million / $0.403 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1 tons, 0.1 %
   Machinery: 525 tons, 58.6 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 213 tons, 23.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 147 tons, 16.4 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 10 tons, 1.1 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     183 lbs / 83 Kg = 48.1 x 2.0 " / 50 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
   Metacentric height 1.0 ft / 0.3 m
   Roll period: 11.7 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 73 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.01
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.75

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.400
   Length to Beam Ratio: 10.00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16.70 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 68 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 98
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:         16.40 ft / 5.00 m
      - Forecastle (10 %):      16.40 ft / 5.00 m
      - Mid (20 %):      16.40 ft / 5.00 m (9.02 ft / 2.75 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   9.02 ft / 2.75 m
      - Stern:         9.02 ft / 2.75 m
      - Average freeboard:      10.50 ft / 3.20 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 191.3 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 70.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 4,787 Square feet or 445 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 39 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 25 lbs/sq ft or 121 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.50
      - Longitudinal: 1.25
      - Overall: 0.55
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is cramped
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Poor seaboat, wet and uncomfortable, reduced performance in heavy weather

[swamphen]

Vineta-class kleiner kreuzers

The KK06 class is rather slower than the Admiralstab would like, but the recent expansion of the Kreigsmarine's operational requirements means that they're urgently needed. Eight to be built, four to DEO, two to Rio Grande do Sul and two to Atacama.

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SMS Vineta
SMS Ariadne
SMS Kondor
SMS Seeadler
SMS Odin
SMS Gefion
SMS Greif
SMS Nymphe

SMS Vineta, DKB Kleiner Kreuzer laid down 1906 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   4,050 t light; 4,193 t standard; 4,806 t normal; 5,295 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   449.48 ft / 442.91 ft x 45.93 ft x 18.37 ft (normal load)
   137.00 m / 135.00 m x 14.00 m  x 5.60 m

Armament:
      2 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 99.21lbs / 45.00kg shells, 1901 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
     on centreline ends, majority aft
      8 - 4.13" / 105 mm guns (4x2 guns), 35.27lbs / 16.00kg shells, 1905 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side ends, evenly spread
      4 - 1.97" / 50.0 mm guns in single mounts, 3.86lbs / 1.75kg shells, 1903 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 0.30" / 7.7 mm guns in single mounts, 0.01lbs / 0.01kg shells, 1902 Model
     Breech loading guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts

   Weight of broadside 496 lbs / 225 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150

   2 - 17.7" / 450 mm submerged torpedo tubes

Armour:
   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:      1.97" / 50 mm   0.79" / 20 mm            -
   2nd:      1.57" / 40 mm   0.79" / 20 mm            -
   3rd:      0.79" / 20 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 1.97" / 50 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 3 shafts, 35,250 shp / 26,297 Kw = 28.12 kts
   Range 5,200nm at 12.00 kts (Bunkerage = 1,102 tons)

Complement:
   288 - 375

Cost:
   £0.439 million / $1.756 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 63 tons, 1.3 %
   Armour: 511 tons, 10.6 %
      - Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 38 tons, 0.8 %
      - Armour Deck: 473 tons, 9.8 %
      - Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
   Machinery: 1,745 tons, 36.3 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,606 tons, 33.4 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 756 tons, 15.7 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 125 tons, 2.6 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     3,262 lbs / 1,480 Kg = 31.7 x 5.9 " / 150 mm shells or 0.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.32
   Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
   Roll period: 12.1 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 73 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.18
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.23

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has a flush deck
   Block coefficient: 0.450
   Length to Beam Ratio: 9.64 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 21.05 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 59
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:         18.54 ft / 5.65 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):      16.40 ft / 5.00 m
      - Mid (50 %):      14.76 ft / 4.50 m
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
      - Stern:         14.76 ft / 4.50 m
      - Average freeboard:      15.51 ft / 4.73 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 135.5 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 130.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 12,977 Square feet or 1,206 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 72 lbs/sq ft or 352 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.95
      - Longitudinal: 1.64
      - Overall: 1.01
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[swamphen]

Kaiser Wilhelm II-class schlachtschiffen

Although four of the class have been authorised by the Reichstag, the Admiralstab has only relased funds for the first two for now, torpedobooten and kleiner kreuzers having assumed an overriding importance. There was discussion of cancelling the class altogether, however the Japanese "Satsuma" type vessels were deemed to require a response. The two ships will go straight to the Hochseeflotte, relasing the older Kaiser Freidrich III class ships for colonial duties.

------------------

SMS Kaiser Wilhelm II
SMS Freidrich der Große
SMS Kaiserin Augusta*
SMS König Albert*

Kaiser Wilhelm II, DKB Schlachtschiffen laid down 1906 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   20,965 t light; 22,395 t standard; 25,742 t normal; 28,420 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   561.02 ft / 557.74 ft x 95.14 ft x 29.53 ft (normal load)
   171.00 m / 170.00 m x 29.00 m  x 9.00 m

Armament:
      6 - 12.01" / 305 mm guns (3x2 guns), 859.80lbs / 390.00kg shells, 1903 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, majority aft, 1 raised mount aft - superfiring
      4 - 12.01" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 859.80lbs / 390.00kg shells, 1903 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on side ends, evenly spread
     14 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 99.21lbs / 45.00kg shells, 1901 Model
     Quick firing guns in casemate mounts
     on side, evenly spread
     14 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
     16 - 3.46" / 88.0 mm guns in single mounts, 22.05lbs / 10.00kg shells, 1900 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, 8 raised mounts
     8 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
     12 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns in single mounts, 1.10lbs / 0.50kg shells, 1906 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts

   Weight of broadside 10,353 lbs / 4,696 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150

   5 - 17.7" / 450 mm submerged torpedo tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:      13.8" / 350 mm   367.45 ft / 112.00 m   13.94 ft / 4.25 m
   Ends:      3.94" / 100 mm   190.29 ft / 58.00 m   13.94 ft / 4.25 m
   Upper:      3.94" / 100 mm   367.45 ft / 112.00 m   13.12 ft / 4.00 m
     Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:      13.8" / 350 mm   5.91" / 150 mm      11.8" / 300 mm
   2nd:      13.8" / 350 mm   5.91" / 150 mm      11.8" / 300 mm
   3rd:      5.91" / 150 mm         -               -
   4th:      1.57" / 40 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 1.97" / 50 mm, Conning tower: 11.81" / 300 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 46,000 shp / 34,316 Kw = 23.02 kts
   Range 10,700nm at 12.00 kts (Bunkerage = 6,025 tons) (90% coal)

Complement:
   1,015 - 1,320

Cost:
   £2.150 million / $8.599 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1,306 tons, 5.1 %
   Armour: 8,332 tons, 32.4 %
      - Belts: 4,325 tons, 16.8 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 2,404 tons, 9.3 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,381 tons, 5.4 %
      - Conning Tower: 222 tons, 0.9 %
   Machinery: 2,277 tons, 8.8 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,849 tons, 34.4 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,778 tons, 18.6 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 0.8 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     34,109 lbs / 15,472 Kg = 39.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.7 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
   Metacentric height 5.8 ft / 1.8 m
   Roll period: 16.6 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 73 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.49
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.30

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.575
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.86 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23.62 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 56
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:         22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):      21.33 ft / 6.50 m
      - Mid (70 %):      20.51 ft / 6.25 m (13.12 ft / 4.00 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Stern:         13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      18.79 ft / 5.73 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 71.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 136.0 %
   Waterplane Area: 37,913 Square feet or 3,522 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 169 lbs/sq ft or 824 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.93
      - Longitudinal: 1.78
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[P3D]

On the KWII

Armor
4" upper belt armor is not enough against intermediate-caliber guns in the prevailing fighting distances - predreadnoughts and ACs have such guns. Decrease upper belt to ~one deck height, put the weight in thickness.
6" turret back/sides/top is OK for an AC but not for a BB. Minimum should be 7-8".

Range is excessive for coal-fired boilers. Get cruising speed down to 10kts or range to 7000nm - these ships are not supposed to fight too far from home bases, and too expensive to be used for commerce raiding.
Do you expect to travel 4000-5000nm from the closest base, engage in a fight with other BBs and then return home damaged?
Same with the IMO excessive ammo load.

[swamphen]

The idea on the upper belt was to have deck to waterline covered in armour; I'll see about modifiying it.

Range - there is a requirement to make the Dar-es-Salaam to Rio Grande do Sul run with "combat reserves"; that's ~5500 miles as far as I can tell. So I guess I can trim it a bit...

[Borys]

Inspired by the down-under fellow Germans, and shamelessly copying hull dimensions, the brainy Hungarians at Fiume came up with this:

GTB 1907, Habsburg Kaiserreich GTB laid down 1907 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   749 t light; 770 t standard; 814 t normal; 850 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   278,87 ft / 278,87 ft x 27,89 ft x 8,00 ft (normal load)
   85,00 m / 85,00 m x 8,50 m  x 2,44 m

Armament:
      1 - 4,00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32,00lbs / 14,51kg shells, 1907 Model
     Quick firing gun in deck mount
     on centreline aft
      1 - 3,00" / 76,2 mm guns in single mounts, 13,50lbs / 6,12kg shells, 1907 Model
     Quick firing gun in deck mount
     on centreline forward, 1 raised gun
      2 - 0,43" / 11,0 mm guns in single mounts, 0,04lbs / 0,02kg shells, 1907 Model
     Machine guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
   Weight of broadside 46 lbs / 21 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150
   6 - 20,0" / 508 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
   Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 2 shafts, 16 521 shp / 12 325 Kw = 29,00 kts
   Range 1 500nm at 10,00 kts
   Bunker at max displacement = 80 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
   76 - 99

Cost:
   £0,093 million / $0,372 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 6 tons, 0,7%
   Machinery: 443 tons, 54,4%
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 283 tons, 34,7%
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 65 tons, 8,0%
   Miscellaneous weights: 18 tons, 2,2%

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     285 lbs / 129 Kg = 8,9 x 4,0 " / 102 mm shells or 0,2 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1,40
   Metacentric height 1,3 ft / 0,4 m
   Roll period: 10,2 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0,06
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1,21

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has raised forecastle
   Block coefficient: 0,458
   Length to Beam Ratio: 10,00 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 16,70 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 67 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 42
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0,00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 0,00 ft / 0,00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:      18,00 ft / 5,49 m
      - Forecastle (31%):   19,00 ft / 5,79 m (11,00 ft / 3,35 m aft of break)
      - Mid (50%):      11,00 ft / 3,35 m
      - Quarterdeck (15%):   11,00 ft / 3,35 m
      - Stern:      11,00 ft / 3,35 m
      - Average freeboard:   13,36 ft / 4,07 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 183,3%
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 71,3%
   Waterplane Area: 4 994 Square feet or 464 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 47%
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 27 lbs/sq ft or 134 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0,58
      - Longitudinal: 2,78
      - Overall: 0,68
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is cramped
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily



The Hungarians' salami with the original design was excessive draft, range and speed.
I think I will cut down torpedo calibre to 14".
Borys

[swamphen]

Revised armour scheme - upper belt height reduced by 1m, main/end belt height increased by 0.25m, upper belt thickened by 50mm, end belts thickened by 20mm. Average 'other' turret armour increased by 50mm. Deck armour increased by 5mm. Range, and draught, reduced, speed slightly increased.



SS06, German Schlachtschiffe laid down 1906 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
   21,500 t light; 22,916 t standard; 25,027 t normal; 26,716 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
   561.02 ft / 557.74 ft x 95.14 ft x 28.71 ft (normal load)
   171.00 m / 170.00 m x 29.00 m  x 8.75 m

Armament:
      6 - 12.01" / 305 mm guns (3x2 guns), 859.80lbs / 390.00kg shells, 1903 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on centreline ends, majority aft, 1 raised mount aft - superfiring
      4 - 12.01" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 859.80lbs / 390.00kg shells, 1903 Model
     Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
     on side, all amidships
     14 - 5.91" / 150 mm guns in single mounts, 99.21lbs / 45.00kg shells, 1901 Model
     Breech loading guns in casemate mounts
     on side, evenly spread
     14 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
     16 - 3.46" / 88.0 mm guns in single mounts, 22.05lbs / 10.00kg shells, 1900 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread
     8 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
     12 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm guns in single mounts, 1.10lbs / 0.50kg shells, 1905 Model
     Quick firing guns in deck mounts
     on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts

   Weight of broadside 10,353 lbs / 4,696 kg
   Shells per gun, main battery: 150

   5 - 17.7" / 450 mm submerged torpedo tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:      Width (max)   Length (avg)      Height (avg)
   Main:      13.8" / 350 mm   328.08 ft / 100.00 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
   Ends:      4.72" / 120 mm   229.66 ft / 70.00 m   14.76 ft / 4.50 m
   Upper:      5.91" / 150 mm   328.08 ft / 100.00 m   9.84 ft / 3.00 m
     Main Belt covers 90 % of normal length

   - Gun armour:   Face (max)   Other gunhouse (avg)   Barbette/hoist (max)
   Main:      13.8" / 350 mm   7.87" / 200 mm      11.8" / 300 mm
   2nd:      13.8" / 350 mm   7.87" / 200 mm      11.8" / 300 mm
   3rd:      5.91" / 150 mm         -               -
   4th:      1.57" / 40 mm         -               -

   - Armour deck: 2.17" / 55 mm, Conning tower: 11.81" / 300 mm

Machinery:
   Coal and oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
   Direct drive, 4 shafts, 46,000 shp / 34,316 Kw = 23.12 kts
   Range 10,000nm at 10.00 kts (Bunkerage = 3,800 tons) (90% coal)

Complement:
   994 - 1,293

Cost:
   £2.169 million / $8.674 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
   Armament: 1,306 tons, 5.2 %
   Armour: 8,786 tons, 35.1 %
      - Belts: 4,476 tons, 17.9 %
      - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
      - Armament: 2,574 tons, 10.3 %
      - Armour Deck: 1,519 tons, 6.1 %
      - Conning Tower: 218 tons, 0.9 %
   Machinery: 2,277 tons, 9.1 %
   Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,930 tons, 35.7 %
   Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,527 tons, 14.1 %
   Miscellaneous weights: 200 tons, 0.8 %
         -50 t:  Huelsmeyer apparatus
         -25 t:  Markoni installation
         -25 t:  Flag accomodations
         -25 t:  Torpedoes (5 ready+10 reloads+extra flood-proofing)
         -25 t:  Special holding for "Gelb" shells
         -50 t:  Weight reserve

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
   Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
     32,334 lbs / 14,667 Kg = 37.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.6 torpedoes
   Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
   Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
   Roll period: 17.0 seconds
   Steadiness   - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
         - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.51
   Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.25

Hull form characteristics:
   Hull has rise forward of midbreak
   Block coefficient: 0.575
   Length to Beam Ratio: 5.86 : 1
   'Natural speed' for length: 23.62 kts
   Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
   Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 57
   Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -5.00 degrees
   Stern overhang: 3.28 ft / 1.00 m
   Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
      - Stem:         22.97 ft / 7.00 m
      - Forecastle (20 %):      21.33 ft / 6.50 m
      - Mid (70 %):      20.51 ft / 6.25 m (13.12 ft / 4.00 m aft of break)
      - Quarterdeck (15 %):   13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Stern:         13.12 ft / 4.00 m
      - Average freeboard:      18.79 ft / 5.73 m
   Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
   Space   - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 73.9 %
      - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 138.9 %
   Waterplane Area: 37,913 Square feet or 3,522 Square metres
   Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
   Structure weight / hull surface area: 172 lbs/sq ft or 838 Kg/sq metre
   Hull strength (Relative):
      - Cross-sectional: 0.94
      - Longitudinal: 1.72
      - Overall: 1.00
   Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
   Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
   Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
   Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

[swamphen]

Note - the armament of the KW2s was altered slightly. The 88mm deck mounts have been replaced by 50mm guns (the 88mm in casemates remain).

[P3D]

Apparently some ammo manufacturer bribed someone in the Marineamt.
IMO way too many calibers.

[Ithekro]

That seems to be fairly typical of the era.

[P3D]

German ships dispensed with guns below 88mm. These ships have two additional caliber which has almost the same utility as tits on a bull - and the crew to man them and the magazines just eats up the accomodation.

I cannot see any possible situation where the 3.7cm and 5cm guns would contribute appreciably to the battleship's combat value.

[swamphen]

Well then I'll go back to the 88mm deck guns then.  :)

The 37mm, 1-pdr Hotchkiss guns are both intended for anti-pirate and anti-airship roles.

[P3D]

37mm guns are worse than 88mm guns in anti-airship roles. To hit a 200m+ long, 20m+ diameter flying cylinder you don't need too high ROF.

[Walter]

I would think that Swamphen has this on his mind...
37mm rounds are a lot cheaper than 88mm rounds. 37mm rounds do a lot less damage to an unarmoured ship  than 88mm rounds.
So what happens?
Ship approaches cargo ship. Ship readies 37mm guns. Ship starts shooting at cargo ship. The small cheap rounds will kill the crew and limit the damage to the ship and the cargo. Ship is taken, cargo is seized. Sold for a profit on the market.
... so I would say that he is lying when he says that the 37mm is for the anti-pirate role. It is actually used for the pirate role!! :D

[Desertfox]

You know Walter, I think your right.

*starts armoring merchants against 37mm shells*

:P