SMS Preussen. of the Braunschweig class German battleship.  The class was  bigger, heavier guns and faster than the Wittelsbach Class battleships, The Braunschweig class autherised under the Naval programme of 1900.  launched on the 30th October 1903 and commissioned into the German navy on 12th July 1905. Served with the fleet until 1916 when she was sued for coastal defence. and in 1917 she was used as a tender at Wilhelshaven.   In 1919 Preussen and Lothringen were converted to depot ships for minesweeper motor boats. (F types) . Stricken  on the 5th April 1929.. and finally sold on the 25th February 1931 for 216,800 marks. and scrapped at Wilhelmshaven but  a small part of Preussen was kept, a 63metre section of the midship was used for explosive trials target  for torpedoes. and nicknamed  SMS Vierkant (even keel or rectangle).  Bombed and sunk on April 1945, and raised in 1954 and scrapped. 

Displacement: 14,167 tons, Speed: 18.5 knots, Compliment: 743.  Armament: Four 280mm Guns,  Fourteen 170mm Guns  Eighteen 88mm Guns and four machine guns, also Six 450mm Torpedo Tubes.

SMS Preussen

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  ? Walker Archive. Order Code PGB053

SMS Preussen.

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  ? Walker Archive. Order Code  PGB014

Preussen in 1913/14 with zeppelin airship flying overhead. (Thanks to Dorian Jung)

20th December 1902

26th May 1903