View source for Kaiser-class battleship

{{Short description|Battleship class of the German Imperial Navy}}
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=October 2022}}
{| {{Infobox ship begin}}
|+ ''Kaiser''-class battleship
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-61-83, Linienschiff "SMS Kaiser".jpg
| Ship image size=300px
| Ship caption = SMS {{lang|de|Kaiser}}
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name =
| Builders =
*[[AG Vulcan Stettin]] (1)
*[[Howaldtswerke]] (1)
*[[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft]] (1)
*[[Kaiserliche Werft Kiel]] (1)
*[[Schichau-Werke]] (1)
| Operators = {{Navy|German Empire}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Helgoland|battleship|4}}
| Class after = {{sclass|König|battleship|4}}
| Built range = 1909–1913
| In commission range = 1912–1919
| Total ships completed= 5
| Total ships scrapped = 5
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Ship type = [[Dreadnought battleship]]
| Ship displacement =
* [[Normal displacement|Normal]]: {{cvt|24724|t|LT|lk=on}}
* [[Full-load displacement|Full load]]: {{cvt|27000|t|LT}}
| Ship length = {{convert|172.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|29|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft= {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion =
* 3 × [[steam turbine]]s
* 3 × [[propeller]]s
|Ship power=
* {{convert|{{convert|28000|PS|ihp|0|disp=number}}|shp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}}
* 16 × Schulz-Thornycroft [[water-tube boiler]]s
| Ship speed = {{convert|21|kn}}
| Ship range = {{convert|7,900|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn}}
| Ship complement = 
* 41 officers
* 1,043 enlisted men
| Ship armament =* 10 × [[30.5 cm SK L/50 gun|{{cvt|30.5|cm|0}} guns]]
* 14 × [[15 cm SK L/45|{{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns]]
*  8 × [[8.8 cm SK L/45 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns]]
*  5 × {{convert|50|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s

| Ship armor =* [[Belt armor|Belt]]: {{cvt|350|mm|1}}
* [[gun turret|Turrets]]: {{cvt|300|mm|1}}
* Battery: {{cvt|170|mm}}
* [[Conning tower|Conning Tower]]: 350&nbsp;mm

| Ship notes =
}}
|}

The '''{{lang|de|Kaiser}} class''' was a [[ship class|class]] of five [[dreadnought battleship]]s that were built in Germany prior to [[World War I]] and served in the {{lang|de|[[Kaiserliche Marine]]}} (Imperial Navy) during the war. They were the third class of German [[dreadnought]]s, and the first to feature turbine engines and superfiring turrets. The five ships were {{SMS|Kaiser|1911|2}}, {{SMS|Friedrich der Grosse|1911|2}}, {{SMS|Kaiserin||2}}, {{SMS|Prinzregent Luitpold||2}}, and {{SMS|König Albert||2}}. As was usual for German battleships of the period, the {{lang|de|Kaiser}} class mounted main guns that were smaller than those of their British rivals: {{cvt|30.5|cm|0}}, compared to the {{convert|34.3|cm|in|abbr=on}} guns of the British {{sclass|Orion|battleship|4}}.{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=28}}

All five ships saw action in the [[North Sea]] during the war; they served together as VI Division of [[III Battle Squadron]]. Four were present during the [[Battle of Jutland]]; {{lang|de|König Albert}} was in dock at the time.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=62}} Of the four ships that took part in the battle, only {{lang|de|Kaiser}} was damaged, being struck by two heavy-caliber shells.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=296}} The ships also took part in [[Operation Albion]] in the Baltic Sea; during the operation they were reorganized as [[IV Battle Squadron]], under the command of Vice Admiral [[Wilhelm Souchon]].{{sfn|Staff|p=151}}

At the end of the war, all five ships were interned at the British naval base in [[Scapa Flow]]. On 21 June 1919, they were [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|scuttled]] to prevent their seizure by the [[Royal Navy]]. The ships were subsequently raised and broken up for scrap between 1929 and 1937.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

== Design ==
The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were ordered under the same [[German Naval Laws|Second Naval Law]] as the preceding {{lang|de|Helgoland}}-class battleships. The law provided that the life expectancy of capital ships was to be reduced from 25 to 20 years, a measure designed to necessitate construction of newer battleships. This meant the six {{sclass|Siegfried|coastal defense ship|2}}s, the two {{sclass|Odin|coastal defense ship|2}}s, as well as the four {{sclass|Brandenburg|battleship|2}}s would have to be replaced.{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=135}} The five {{lang|de|Kaiser}}s were to replace the remaining three {{lang|de|Siegfried}}-class ships: {{SMS|Hildebrand||2}}, {{SMS|Heimdall||2}}, and {{SMS|Hagen||2}}, as well as the two {{lang|de|Odin}}-class ships: {{SMS|Odin||2}} and {{SMS|Ägir||2}}.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

=== General characteristics ===
The ships of the {{lang|de|Kaiser}} class were {{convert|171.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long [[Length at the waterline|at the waterline]], and {{convert|172.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long [[Length overall|overall]]. The ships had a beam of {{convert|29|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a draft of {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} forward and {{convert|8.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} aft. They [[displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|24,724|MT|sp=us}} as designed and up to {{convert|27000|MT|sp=us|abbr=on|-1}} at full load. The ships had a [[double bottom]] for 88&nbsp;percent of the length of the hull and 17 [[watertight compartment]]s. The ships had a crew of 41 officers and 1,043 seamen. While serving as squadron [[flagship]], the ships had an additional 14 officers and 80 men, and as the second command flagship, the ships' usual complement was augmented by another 2&nbsp;officers and 23 men.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were excellent sea boats, but were very stiff, suffering a slight loss of speed in heavy swells. They were responsive to commands from the helm; they turned quickly initially, but suffered from severe [[torque]] at a hard rudder. With the rudder hard over, the ships would lose up to 66&nbsp;percent of their speed and heel over as much as 8&nbsp;degrees. The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships had a transverse [[metacentric height]] of {{convert|2.59|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

=== Propulsion ===
The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were the first German battleships to be powered by turbines.{{sfn|Preston|p=74}} They used turbines from several different manufacturers as the {{lang|de|[[Reichsmarineamt]]}} (RMA) and German shipyards attempted to find an alternative to a [[C. A. Parsons and Company|Parsons]] turbine monopoly.{{sfn|Weir|pp=95–96}}{{efn|Turbina, the Germany-based branch of Parsons' company, offered the RMA the opportunity to purchase a license to produce their own turbines of the Parson design, but Tirpitz rejected it. He and other senior members of the RMA preferred to keep open the possibility of purchasing turbines built by German companies as opposed to wedding the German Navy to Parsons turbines.{{sfn|Weir|p=95}}}} Nevertheless, {{lang|de|Kaiser}} and {{lang|de|Kaiserin}} were both equipped with three sets of Parsons turbines. {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}} had three sets of AEG-Curtis turbines, while {{lang|de|König Albert}} was powered by Schichau turbines. The turbines drove three-bladed screws that were {{convert|3.75|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter, providing a design speed of {{convert|21|kn|lk=in}}. The ships had two rudders.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

{{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} was equipped with two sets of Parsons turbines on the outer shafts. It was intended that a single 12,000&nbsp;[[Horsepower#Boiler horsepower|bhp]] Germania 6-cylinder 2-stroke diesel engine would drive the center shaft. However, the diesel power plant was not ready in time to be installed in {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}}, so the ship sailed with only two shafts.{{sfn|Preston|p=74}} On trials, {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} was approximately one half knot slower than her sisters.{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=147}}

Steam was provided by 16 Schulz-Thornycroft [[water-tube boiler]]s, except in {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}}, which had only 14 boilers. Hollow grates were fitted to the boilers between 1916 and 1917. The three-shaft ships carried 3,600&nbsp;metric tons of coal, which enabled a maximum range of {{convert|7,900|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|12|kn}}. {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} carried a reduced bunkerage—3,200&nbsp;metric tons—but was designed to carry 400&nbsp;tons of oil for the diesel engine. On diesel power alone, {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} would have had a range of 2,000&nbsp;nautical miles at 12&nbsp;knots.{{sfn|Preston|p=74}}{{sfn|Breyer|p=260}}

Electrical power was provided by four double turbo-generators and two diesel generators. They produced a total output of 1,800&nbsp;kilowatts at 225&nbsp;volts.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

=== Armament ===
[[File:SMS Kaiser turrets aft2.jpg|thumb|{{lang|de|Kaiser}}{{'}}s rear superfiring turrets|alt=Two large gun turrets on a battleship]]

The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships each carried ten [[30.5 cm SK L/50 gun|{{cvt|30.5|cm|0}} SK L/50 guns]]{{efn|In Imperial German Navy gun nomenclature, "SK" ({{lang|de|Schnelladekanone}}) denotes that the gun quick firing, while the L/50 denotes the length of the gun. In this case, the L/50 gun is 50 [[Caliber (artillery)|caliber]], meaning that the gun barrel is 50 times as long as it is in diameter.{{sfn|Grießmer|p=177}}}} mounted in five twin [[gun turret|turrets]]. One turret was mounted fore, two were mounted en echelon amidships, and the fourth and fifth turrets were mounted in a [[superfire|superfiring pair]] aft. The guns were supplied with a total of 860 shells, for 86 rounds per gun.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}} The shells were {{convert|894|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and were fired at a [[muzzle velocity]] of 854&nbsp;meters per second (2,805&nbsp;feet per second).{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=140}} The guns were placed in Drh LC/1909 mountings, which were very similar to the older LC/1908 gun mounts used in the preceding {{lang|de|Helgoland}}-class ships.{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=147}} The mountings were initially capable of depression to −8&nbsp;degrees and elevation to 13.5&nbsp;degrees. At maximum elevation, the guns had a range of up to {{convert|16299|m|yd|abbr=on}}. The mountings were later modified to depress to −5.5&nbsp;degrees and elevate to 16&nbsp;degrees. This extended the maximum range of {{convert|20400|m|yd|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

The ships had a [[secondary armament|secondary battery]] of fourteen [[15 cm SK L/45|{{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} SK L/45 quick-firing guns]], each mounted in [[casemate]]s. The guns each had a supply of one hundred and sixty {{convert|99.9|lb|kg|abbr=on}} shells, for a total of 2240.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}} Firing at a muzzle velocity of 835&nbsp;m/s (2,740&nbsp;ft/s),{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=140}} the guns could hit targets at a distance {{convert|13500|m|yd|abbr=on}}, and after modifications in 1915, the range was extended to {{convert|16800|m|yd|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}} The ships were also equipped with eight [[8.8 cm SK L/45 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|abbr=on}} SK L/45 guns]]. They were eventually rearmed with four 8.8&nbsp;cm L/45 Flak guns, two of which were later removed.{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=147}} As was customary for capital ships of the period, the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were armed with five {{convert|50|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} submerged [[torpedo tube]]s. One was mounted in the bow, while the other four were placed on the [[Broadside (naval)|broadside]], two on each flank of the ship.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

=== Armor ===

[[File:Kaiser-class plan and profile.png|thumb|Plan and profile drawing of the ''Kaiser'' class]]

As with all major contemporary German warships, the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were protected by [[Krupp]] [[Krupp cemented armor|cemented steel armor]]. The deck armor ranged in thickness, from {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} in more critical areas of the ship, down to {{convert|6|cm|in|abbr=on}} in less important areas. The [[armored belt]] was {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on|1}} thick in the central [[armored citadel|citadel]], and tapered down to {{convert|18|cm|in|abbr=on}} forward and {{convert|12|cm|in|abbr=on}} aft. Behind the armored belt, the ships had a [[torpedo bulkhead]] 4&nbsp;cm (1.6&nbsp;in) thick.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

The forward [[conning tower]] had a roof that was {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick; the sides were 35&nbsp;cm thick. Atop the conning tower was the smaller gunnery control tower, which had a curved face that was {{cvt|40|cm|1}} thick. The aft conning tower was significantly less well-armored; the sides were {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} thick, and the roof was only {{cvt|5|cm|0}} thick. The main battery turrets were protected by 30&nbsp;cm of armor on the sides and {{convert|22|cm|in|abbr=on}} of armor on the roofs. The 15&nbsp;cm guns had {{convert|17|cm|in|abbr=on}} of armor plating on their mounts, and {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}} on their [[gun shield]]s.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}{{sfn|Campbell|p=15}}

== Construction ==
{{SMS|Kaiser|1911|2}}, the [[lead ship|name ship]] of the class, was laid down at the [[Kaiserliche Werft Kiel]] in December 1909 under construction number 35. The ship was launched on 22 March 1911, and commissioned into the [[High Seas Fleet]] on 1&nbsp;August 1912. {{SMS|Friedrich der Grosse|1911|2}} followed on 26 January 1910, at the [[AG Vulcan]] shipyard in Hamburg. She was launched on 10 June 1911 and commissioned as the flagship of the High Seas Fleet on 15 October 1912. {{SMS|Kaiserin||2}}, the third ship of the class, was laid down in the [[Howaldtswerke]] in Kiel in November 1910. She was launched on 11 November 1911, and commissioned on 14 May 1913.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=147}}

{{SMS|König Albert||2}} was laid down at [[Schichau-Werke|Schichau]] in [[Danzig]] on 17 July 1910, and launched on 27 April 1912. She was commissioned into the fleet on 31 July 1913. {{SMS|Prinzregent Luitpold||2}}, the last ship of the class, was laid down in January 1911 at the [[Germaniawerft]] shipyard in Kiel. The ship was launched on 17 February 1912 and commissioned on 19 August 1913.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}{{sfn|Campbell & Sieche|p=147}}

===Ships===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Construction data
! scope="col" | Ship
! scope="col" | Contract name{{sfn|Dodson|p=218}}
! scope="col" | Builder
! scope="col" | Namesake
! scope="col" | [[keel laying|Laid down]]
! scope="col" | [[ceremonial ship launching|Launched]]
! scope="col" | [[ship commissioning|Commissioned]]
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
! scope="row" | {{SMS|Kaiser|1911|2}}
|{{lang|de|[[Ersatz]]}} {{SMS|Hildebrand||2}}
|[[Kaiserliche Werft Kiel|Kaiserliche Werft]], [[Kiel]]
|''[[German Emperor|Kaiser]]'' [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Wilhelm II]]
|October 1909
|22 March 1911
|1 August 1912
|rowspan=5|[[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|Scuttled]], 21 June 1919
|-
! scope="row" | {{SMS|Friedrich der Grosse|1911|2}}
|{{lang|de|Ersatz}} {{SMS|Heimdall||2}}
|[[AG Vulcan Stettin|AG Vulcan]], [[Hamburg]]
|''[[King of Prussia|König]]'' [[Frederick the Great|Friedrich II von Preußen]]
|January 1910
|10 June 1911
|15 October 1912
|-
! scope="row" | {{SMS|Kaiserin||2}}
|{{lang|de|Ersatz}} {{SMS|Hagen||2}}
|[[Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft|Howaldtswerke]], [[Kiel]]
|''Kaiserin'' [[Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein|Auguste Viktoria von Schleswig-Holstein]]
|November 1910
|11 November 1911
|14 May 1913
|-
! scope="row" | {{SMS|Prinzregent Luitpold||2}}
|{{lang|de|Ersatz}} {{SMS|Ägir||2}}
|[[Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft|Germaniawerft]], [[Kiel]]
|[[Prince regent|''Prinzregent'']] [[Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria|Luitpold von Bayern]]
|October 1910
|17 February 1912
|19 August 1913
|-
! scope="row" | {{SMS|König Albert||2}}
|{{lang|de|Ersatz}} {{SMS|Odin||2}}
|[[Schichau-Werke]], [[Gdańsk|Danzig]]
||''[[King of Saxony|König]]'' [[Albert, King of Saxony|Albert von Sachsen]]
|July 1910
|27 April 1912
|31 July 1913
|}

== Service history ==
[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-61-37, Linienschiff "SMS Kaiser".jpg|thumb|SMS ''Kaiser'' at [[Kiel Week]] festivities in June 1913. The imperial yacht [[SMY Hohenzollern#SMY Hohenzollern II|''Hohenzollern'']] lies in the background |alt=A large battleship, with sailors lining the side rails, sits in harbor. A large white ship passes behind.]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv DVM 10 Bild-23-61-53, Großlinienschiff "SMS Prinzregent Luitpold".jpg|thumb|A pre-war illustration of ''Prinzregent Luitpold'' underway|alt=A large warship underway. Dark smoke billows from its smoke stacks.]]

=== Pre-war ===
In 1913–1914 two ''Kaiser''-class ships, {{lang|de|Kaiser}} and {{lang|de|König Albert}} took part in a major overseas tour to South America and South Africa. The cruise was designed to demonstrate German power projection, as well as to test the reliability of the new turbine engines on long-range operations. Both ships had returned to the German bases in the North Sea by the outbreak of World War I.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

=== World War I ===

==== Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby ====

{{Further|Raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby}}

The first major operation of the war in which the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships participated was the raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on 15–16 December 1914. The raid was primarily conducted by the battlecruisers of the [[I Scouting Group]]. The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships, along with the {{sclass|Nassau|battleship|5}}, {{sclass|Helgoland|battleship|5}}, and {{sclass|König|battleship|4}}es steamed in distant support of [[Franz von Hipper]]'s battlecruisers. [[Friedrich von Ingenohl]], the commander of the High Seas Fleet, decided to take up station approximately in the center of the North Sea, about 130&nbsp;miles east of [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]].{{sfn|Tarrant|p=31}}

The [[Royal Navy]], which had recently received the German code books captured from the beached cruiser {{SMS|Magdeburg||2}}, was aware that an operation was taking place, but uncertain as to where the Germans would strike. Therefore, the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] ordered [[David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty|David Beatty's]] 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, the six battleships of the 2nd Battle Squadron, and a number of cruisers and destroyers to attempt to intercept the German battlecruisers.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=31}} However, Beatty's task force nearly ran headlong into the entire High Seas Fleet. At 6:20, Beatty's destroyer screen came into contact with the German torpedo boat ''V155''. This began a confused 2-hour battle between the British destroyers and the German cruiser and destroyer screen, frequently at very close range. At the time of the first encounter, the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class battleships were less than 10 miles away from the 6&nbsp;British dreadnoughts; this was well within firing range, but in the darkness, neither British nor German admiral were aware of the composition of their opponents' fleets. Admiral Ingenohl, loath to disobey the [[Wilhelm II|Kaiser]]'s order to not risk the battlefleet without his express approval, concluded that his forces were engaging the screen of the entire [[Grand Fleet]], and so 10 minutes after the first contact, he ordered a turn to port on a south-east course. Continued attacks delayed the turn, but by 6:42, it had been carried out.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=32}} For about 40&nbsp;minutes, the two fleets were steaming on a parallel course. At 7:20, Ingenohl ordered a further turn to port, which put his ships on a course for German waters.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=33}}

==== Bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft ====
{{Further|Bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft}}

The {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships took part in another raid on the English coast, again as support for the German battlecruiser force in I Scouting Group. The battlecruisers left the [[Jade Estuary]] at 10:55 on 24 April 1916, and the rest of the High Seas Fleet followed at 13:40. The battlecruiser {{SMS|Seydlitz||2}} struck a mine while en route to the target, and had to withdraw.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=53}} The other battlecruisers bombarded the town of Lowestoft largely without incident, but during the approach to Yarmouth, they encountered the British cruisers of the [[Harwich Force]]. A short artillery duel ensued before the Harwich Force withdrew. Reports of British submarines in the area prompted the retreat of I Scouting Group. At this point, Admiral [[Reinhard Scheer]], who had been warned of the sortie of the Grand Fleet from its base in Scapa Flow, also withdrew to safer German waters.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=54}}

==== Battle of Jutland ====
{{Further|Battle of Jutland}}

Four of the ships participated in the fleet sortie that resulted in the battle of [[Jutland]] on 31 May–1 June 1916. The operation was a repeat of earlier plans that intended to draw out a portion of the Grand Fleet and destroy it. {{lang|de|Kaiser}}, {{lang|de|Kaiserin}}, {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}}, and {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}}, Scheer's flagship, made up VI Division of [[III Battle Squadron]]. III Battle Squadron was the first of three battleship units; however, the {{lang|de|König}}-class battleships of V Division, III Battle Squadron were the [[wikt:vanguard|vanguard]] of the fleet. Directly astern of the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships were the {{lang|de|Helgoland}} and {{lang|de|Nassau}}-class battleships of I Battle Squadron; in the [[rear guard]] were the elderly {{sclass|Deutschland|battleship|0}} [[pre-dreadnought]]s of II Battle Squadron.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=286}}

Shortly before 16:00&nbsp;[[Central European Time|CET]],{{efn|The times mentioned in this section are in [[Central European Time|CET]], which is congruent with the German perspective. This is one hour ahead of [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]], the time zone commonly used in British works.}} the battlecruisers of I Scouting Group encountered the British 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, under the command of David Beatty. The opposing ships began an artillery duel that saw the destruction of {{HMS|Indefatigable|1909|2}}, shortly after 17:00,{{sfn|Tarrant|pp=94–95}} and {{HMS|Queen Mary||2}}, less than a half an hour later.{{sfn|Tarrant|pp=100–101}} By this time, the German battlecruisers were steaming south in order to draw the British ships towards the main body of the High Seas Fleet. At 17:30, {{SMS|König||2}}, the leading German battleship, spotted both I Scouting Group and the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron approaching. The German battlecruisers were steaming down to starboard, while the British ships steamed to port. At 17:45, Scheer ordered a two-point turn to port to bring his ships closer to the British battlecruisers.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=110}} Shortly thereafter the order was given to commence firing; the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class ships, with the exception of {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}}, were not yet within range to engage the British battlecruisers. {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} managed to fire eight salvos at 22,300–21,300&nbsp;yards (20,400–19,500&nbsp;m) before the range again widened sufficiently to prevent further firing. In the meantime, {{lang|de|Kaiser}} and {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}}, along with the battleships of II Battle Squadron, were within range of the British 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron. However, the massed fire from the ten battleships interfered with accurate spotting, and after only a few salvos fire was largely ceased.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=111}}

[[File:SMS Kaiserillustration.jpg|thumb|left|{{lang|de|Kaiser}} with main battery trained to starboard]]

At around 19:00, the cruiser {{SMS|Wiesbaden||2}}, which had earlier been disabled, was coming under attack from British light forces, and so Scheer ordered his ships to turn in order to cover an attempt to bring the ship under tow. At 19:05, the British armored cruisers {{HMS|Defence|1907|2}} and {{HMS|Warrior|1905|2}} began firing on the crippled {{lang|de|Wiesbaden}}. However, by 19:15, Hipper's battlecruisers and the battleships of III Battle Squadron appeared on the scene, and began to hammer the British ships at a range of less than 8,000&nbsp;yards. {{lang|de|Kaiser}} and three {{lang|de|König}}-class battleships concentrated their fire on the two cruisers until one of ''Defence''{{'}}s magazines was detonated, which caused a massive explosion that destroyed the ship. ''Warrior'', badly damaged and afire, managed to limp northward towards the {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|battleship|2}}s of the 5th Battle Squadron.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=139–141}}

While ''Warrior'' was retreating northward under the cover of her own smoke, the battleship {{HMS|Warspite|03|2}} came too close to her sister {{HMS|Valiant|1914|2}}, and had to turn to starboard in order to avoid collision. At that moment, a shell from {{lang|de|Kaiser}} struck ''Warspite''{{'}}s steering gear and jammed them, temporarily leaving the ship only able to steam in a large circle.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=141}} {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}}, {{lang|de|König}}, two {{lang|de|Nassau}} and three {{lang|de|Helgoland}}-class battleships fired on ''Warspite'' for a period of about 20 minutes; ''Warspite'' was hit 11 times before the Germans lost sight of her.{{sfn|Tarrant|pp=142–143}} Because her steering gear could not be adequately repaired, ''Warspite'' was forced to withdraw from the battle;{{sfn|Tarrant|p=143}} her absence prompted the Germans to believe they had sunk her.{{sfn|''The New York Times'' 1916-06-03}}

Upon returning to the Jade estuary, the {{lang|de|Nassau}}-class battleships {{SMS|Nassau||2}}, {{SMS|Westfalen||2}}, and {{SMS|Posen||2}} and the {{lang|de|Helgoland}}-class battleships {{SMS|Helgoland|1909|2}} and {{SMS|Thüringen||2}} took up guard duties in the outer [[roadstead]]. {{lang|de|Kaiser}}, {{lang|de|Kaiserin}}, and {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}}, largely undamaged during the battle, took up defensive positions outside the Wilhelmshaven locks. The other capital ships—those that were still in fighting condition—had their fuel and ammunition stocks replenished.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=263}}

During the battle, {{lang|de|Kaiser}} had fired 224 heavy battery and 41 secondary battery shells; {{lang|de|Kaiserin}} fired 160 and 135 respectively, {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} fired 169 and 106 respectively, and {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}} fired 72 and 151 shells, respectively.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=292}} {{lang|de|Kaiser}} was hit twice by heavy-caliber shells during the battle, the only ship of the class to have been hit; however the ship suffered only a single wounded casualty.{{sfn|Tarrant|p=298}}

==== Operation Albion ====
[[File:Linienschiff PRINZREGENT LUITPOLD (Kiel 73.034).jpg|thumb|{{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} bombarding Ösel, October 1917]]

{{Further|Operation Albion}}

In early September 1917, following the German conquest of the Russian port of [[Riga]], the German navy decided to expunge the Russian naval forces that still held the [[Gulf of Riga]]. To this end, the {{lang|de|Admiralstab}} (the Navy High Command) planned an operation in the [[Moonsund archipelago]], particularly targeting the Russian gun batteries on the [[Sõrve Peninsula|Sworbe peninsula]] of [[Saaremaa|Ösel]].{{sfn|Halpern|p=213}} On 18 September, the order was issued for a joint Army-Navy operation to capture Ösel and [[Muhu|Moon]] islands; the primary naval component was to comprise the flagship, {{lang|de|Moltke}}, along with III Battle Squadron of the High Seas Fleet. V Division included the four {{lang|de|König}}s, and was by this time augmented with the new battleship {{SMS|Bayern||2}}. VI Division consisted of the five {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class battleships. Along with nine light cruisers, three torpedo boat flotillas, and dozens of [[naval mine|mine]] warfare ships, the entire force numbered some 300 ships, and was supported by over 100 aircraft and six [[zeppelin]]s. The invasion force amounted to approximately 24,600 officers and enlisted men.{{sfn|Halpern|pp=214–215}} Opposing the Germans were the old Russian pre-dreadnoughts {{ship|Russian battleship|Slava||2}} and {{ship|Russian battleship|Tsesarevich||2}}, the [[armored cruiser]]s {{ship|Russian cruiser|Bayan|1907|2}} and {{ship|Russian cruiser|Admiral Makarov||2}}, the [[protected cruiser]] {{ship|Russian cruiser|Diana||2}}, 26 destroyers, several torpedo boats and gunboats, and a garrison on Ösel of some 14,000 men with shore batteries.{{sfn|Halpern|p=215}}

The operation began on 12 October, when the {{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class battleships engaged the batteries on the Sworbe peninsula. Simultaneously, {{lang|de|Moltke}}, {{lang|de|Bayern}}, and the {{lang|de|König}}s began firing on the Russian shore batteries at Tagga Bay. Stiff Russian resistance in the Kassar Wick, the entrance to Moon Sound, slowed the German advance. On 14 October, {{lang|de|Kaiser}} was detached from the bombardment force to deal with the Russian destroyers holding up the German minesweepers. Under the cover of {{lang|de|Kaiser}}{{'}}s 30.5&nbsp;cm guns, the German torpedo boats dashed into the Sound. During the ensuing clash, the Russian destroyer {{ship|Russian destroyer|Grom||2}} was disabled and eventually sunk.{{sfn|Halpern|p=216}}

The Russian 30.5&nbsp;cm shore batteries at Zerel remained a significant problem, and so while {{lang|de|Kaiser}} was disrupting the Russian destroyers, {{lang|de|Kaiserin}}, {{lang|de|König Albert}}, and {{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}} bombarded Zerel at ranges of between 7.5 and 12.5 miles. Russian counter-fire proved accurate, and so the German dreadnoughts were forced to continually alter course to avoid being hit. The attack lasted only about an hour, due to fears of mines and submarines.{{sfn|Halpern|p=217}} The following morning, two {{lang|de|König}}-class battleships were sent into Moon Sound to destroy the Russian ships stationed there. {{lang|de|König}} sank the pre-dreadnought {{lang|ru|Slava}}, while {{lang|de|Kronprinz}} forced the withdrawal of the remaining warships.{{sfn|Halpern|pp=217–219}} By 20 October, the naval operations were effectively over; the Russian ships had been destroyed or forced to withdraw, and the German army attained its objectives.{{sfn|Halpern|p=219}}

=== Fate ===
[[File:SMS Kaiser steaming to Scapa.PNG|thumb|{{lang|de|Kaiser}}-class battleship steaming to Scapa Flow on 21 November 1918|alt=A light gray battleship steams in choppy seas.]]

{{main|Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow}}

Following the capitulation of Germany in November 1918, the High Seas Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral [[Ludwig von Reuter]], was interned in the British naval base in [[Scapa Flow]]. The fleet remained in captivity during the negotiations that ultimately produced the [[Versailles Treaty]]. It became apparent to Reuter that the British intended to seize the German ships on 21 June, which was the deadline for Germany to have signed the peace treaty. Unaware that the deadline had been extended to the 23rd, Reuter ordered his ships be sunk. On the morning of 21 June, the British fleet left Scapa Flow to conduct training maneuvers; at 10:00 Reuter transmitted the order to his ships.

{{lang|de|Friedrich der Grosse}} was the first ship of the fleet to be scuttled, sinking at 12:16. She was raised on 29 April 1937 and towed to Rosyth for scrapping. The ship's bell was returned to Germany in 1965, and is currently in the Fleet Headquarters in [[Glücksburg]]. {{lang|de|König Albert}} followed at 12:54, the second ship of the fleet to sink. The ship was later raised on 31 July 1935 and broken up in [[Rosyth]] over the following year. {{lang|de|Kaiser}} sank at 13:25, and was raised for scrapping on 20 March 1929; breaking work was conducted in Rosyth by 1930. {{lang|de|Prinzregent Luitpold}} sank five minutes later, at 13:30. She too was raised, on 9&nbsp;July 1931, and broken up in Rosyth. {{lang|de|Kaiserin}}, the last ship of the class to be sunk, slipped beneath the surface at 14:00. She was raised on 14 May 1936, and broken up that year in Rosyth.{{sfn|Gröner|p=26}}

==Footnotes==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|20em}}

== References ==
* {{cite journal
  | last = Campbell
  | editor-last=Preston
  | editor-first=Antony
  | first = N. J. M.
  | year = 1977
  | title = German Dreadnoughts and Their Protection
  | journal = Warship
  | volume = I
  | issue = 4
  | publisher = Conway Maritime Press
  | location = London
  | issn = 0142-6222
  | ref ={{sfnRef|Campbell}}
  | pages = 12–20
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Campbell
  | first1 = N. J. M.
  | last2 = Sieche
  | first2 = Erwin
  | chapter = Germany
  | pages = 134–189
  | editor1-last = Gardiner
  | editor1-first = Robert
  | editor2-last = Gray
  | editor2-first = Randal
  | year = 1986
  | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921
  | publisher = Conway Maritime Press
  | location = London
  | isbn = 978-0-85177-245-5
  | name-list-style=amp
  | ref ={{sfnRef|Campbell & Sieche}}
  | url=https://archive.org/details/conwaysallworlds0000unse_z3o0
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Dodson
  | first = Aidan
  | author-link = Aidan Dodson
  | year = 2016
  | title = The Kaiser's Battlefleet: German Capital Ships 1871–1918
  | publisher = Seaforth Publishing
  | location = Barnsley
  | isbn = 978-1-84832-229-5
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Dodson}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Breyer
  | first1 = Siegfried
  | last2 = Kurti
  | first2 = Alfred
  | year = 1973
  | title = Battleships and Battle Cruisers 1905–1970: Historical Development of the Capital Ship
  |trans-title=Schlachtschiffe und Schlachtkreuzer 1905–1970
  | publisher = Doubleday
  | location = Garden City
  | isbn = 978-0-385-07247-2
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Breyer}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Grießmer
  | first = Axel
  | year = 1999
  | language = de
  | title = Die Linienschiffe der Kaiserlichen Marine: 1906–1918; Konstruktionen zwischen Rüstungskonkurrenz und Flottengesetz
  | trans-title = The Battleships of the Imperial Navy: 1906–1918; Constructions between Arms Competition and Fleet Laws
  | publisher = Bernard & Graefe Verlag
  | location = Bonn
  | isbn = 978-3-7637-5985-9
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Grießmer}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Gröner
  | first1 = Erich
  |author-link1=Erich Gröner
  | last2 = Jung
  | first2 = Dieter
  | last3 = Martin
  | first3 = Maass
  | year = 1990
  | title = German Warships: 1815–1945
  | volume = I: Major Surface Vessels
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | location = Annapolis
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-790-6
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Gröner}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Halpern
  | first = Paul G.
  | year = 1995
  | title = A Naval History of World War I
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | location = Annapolis
  | isbn = 978-1-55750-352-7
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Halpern}}
  }}
* {{cite journal
  | last = Nottlemann
  | first = Dirk
  | year = 2017
  | title = From Ironclads to Dreadnoughts: The Development of the German Navy 1864–1918, Part VIII: "Consolidation or Continuous Crisis?"
  | journal = Warship International
  | volume = LIV
  | issue = 3|issn=0043-0374
  | pages = 199–247
  | publisher = [[International Naval Research Organization]]
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Nottlemann}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Preston
  | first = Antony
  | author-link = Antony Preston
  | year = 1972
  | title = Battleships of World War I: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Battleships of all Nations, 1914–1918
  | location = Harrisburg
  | publisher = Stackpole Books
  | isbn = 978-0-8117-0211-9
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Preston}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Staff
  | first = Gary
  | year = 1995
  | title = Battle for the Baltic Islands 1917
  | publisher = Pen & Sword Maritime
  | location = Barnsley
  | isbn = 978-1-84415-787-7
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Staff}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Tarrant
  | first = V. E.
  | year = 2001
  | orig-year = 1995
  | title = Jutland: The German Perspective
  | publisher = Cassell Military Paperbacks
  | location = London
  | isbn = 978-0-304-35848-9
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Tarrant}}
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last = Weir
  | first = Gary E.
  | title = Building the Kaiser's Navy: The Imperial Navy Office and German Industry in the Tirpitz Era, 1890–1919
  | year = 1992
  | location = Annapolis
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | isbn = 978-1-55750-929-1
  | ref = {{sfnRef|Weir}}
  }}
* {{cite news
  | author = <!-- author not named -->
  | title = Germany Hails Fleet As Victor
  | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/06/03/100208385.pdf
  | newspaper = [[The New York Times]]
  | page = 1
  | date = 3 June 1916
  | access-date = 15 May 2009
  | ref = {{sfnRef|''The New York Times'' 1916-06-03}}
  }}

==Further reading==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Dodson
  | first1 = Aidan
  | last2 = Cant
  | first2 = Serena
  | title = Spoils of War: The Fate of Enemy Fleets after the Two World Wars
  | year = 2020
  | publisher = Seaforth Publishing
  | location = Barnsley
  | isbn = 978-1-5267-4198-1
  }}
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Koop
  | first1 = Gerhard
  | last2 = Schmolke
  | first2 = Klaus-Peter
  | year = 1999
  | language = de
  | title = Von der Nassau&nbsp;– zur König-Klasse
  | trans-title = From the Nassau to König Class
  | publisher = Bernard & Graefe Verlag
  | location = Bonn
  | isbn = 978-3-7637-5994-1
  |name-list-style=amp
  | ref ={{sfnRef|Koop & Schmolke}}
  }}

{{Kaiser class battleship}}
{{WWI German ships}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Featured article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaiser-class battleship}}
[[Category:Battleship classes]]
[[Category:Kaiser-class battleships| ]]
[[Category:World War I battleships of Germany|Kaiser class battleship]]