Austro-Hungarian Naval Report on German Warships after Jutland
It was prepared by Marineartillerie-Oberingenieure 2. Klasse Georg Schindler. This report is in many ways more detailed than that of Fregattenkapitäne Hieronymus Graf von Colloredo-Mannsfeld prepared immediately after Jutland.
Report
REPORT by a Mission undertaken in accordance with Order. Section 4 M.S. No.1746 of 1916.
On the inspection of German Warships which took part in the Battle of the Skaggerak (Jutland), 31st.May - 1st.June 1916; on Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg and Kiel, and on other inspections of ships and bases.
By Georg Schindler,
Gunnery Engineer, 2nd Class.
AUSTRIAN NAVY.
The only details which have been dealt with are those which were of Gunnery interest.
| A. | Battle Cruiser | "SEYDLITZ" | |||
| B. | Battleship | "OSTFRIESLAND" | |||
| C. | Battle Cruiser | "VON DER TANN" | were | ||
| D. | Battleship | "GROSSER KÜRFURST" | in | ||
| E. | " | "MARKGRAF" | engagement. | ||
| F. | Battle Cruiser | "MOLTKE" | |||
| G. | " | "DERFFLINGER" | |||
| H. | Battleship | "KÖNIG" | |||
| J. | Battle Cruiser | "HINDENBURG" (building) | |||
| K. | Large Battleship | "BAYERN" | } Newly commissioned | ||
| L. | T.B.D. | "G.90" | |||
| M. | Fishing vessels Anti-Submarine armament, etc. | ||||
| N. | Short inspection of the Ordnance Workshops in the Arsenal in Wilhelmshaven. | ||||
| O. | Ditto in Kiel. | ||||
Ships under A.B.C.J. and M. were in Wilhelmshaven. D.E.F. in Hamburg and G.H.K.L. in Kiel.
In the following reports on each ship, Section 1 deals with the effect of enemy hits on ships A. to H. above, in conjunction with the two attached ship sketches (Enclosures 1 and 2). [Not attached.]
Of the hits marked in the sketches those of a gunnery interest are distinguished by red ink. Section II gives general remarks concerning the ships in question.
Further a report is submitted on installations in newly commissioned ships (K. and L.) also on a ship still under construction (J.), as well as means of combating submarines installed in Fishing vessels (M.) and finally, briefly on the Ordnance workshops in the Naval Arsenals (N. and O.).
A. "SEYDLITZ" (Enclosure 1).
This Cruiser received 24 shell hits (38 cm. 34.3 cm. and 30.5 cm.)(15", 13.5" and 12") and one Torpedo hit.
Except for 1 shell hit (apparently 34.3 cm.) (13.5") on the starboard side forward (Hits nos.2-4) and one hit no.16 (38 cm.?) in the starboard after 15 cm. (6") casemate all hits came from the port side. At the time of the inspection all hits came from the port side. At the time of the inspection all Gun tubes, Guns and many fittings had been dismantled and landed.
1. A large calibre shell (hit no.8) struck the 2nd. 15 cm. port casemate (from forward), put the gun out of action and killed or seriously wounded the majority of the gun's crew.
2. A 38 cm. shell exploded in the 4th 15 cm. casemate (hit No.13) the gun was similarly damaged, and 2 men (wounded) remained alive of the crew.
3. In the port after 15 cm. casemate, No.6 gun, (hit No.15) had the same effect as the two described above.
4. A 38 cm. shell (hit No.16) penetrated the armoured bulkhead on starboard side aft, near the last 15 cm. casemate, close to the curve of the armour (Fig.1, Enc.3) destroyed the 15 cm. gun and killed most of the gun crew.
Of the twelve 15 cm. guns it appears that 2 port and 4 starboard fired unceasingly until the end.
5. No.2 Turret (starboard) received a hit from port on the vertical turret armour (hit No.21) to the right of the right gun. Part of the nose of the shell pierced the armour anddestroyed [sic] the cradle and training gear of the right gun. The left was undamaged. The turret remained in action with this gun.
6. An interesting hit is to be seen on the right 28 cm. gun of No.3 Turret port. The gun was on one of the jetties of the arsenal and could be examined. A large calibre shell hit the aforesaid gun a glancing blow just outside the turret, producing at the point of impact, a considerable elliptical scoop on the outside, causing a fracture of the inner tube and in addition bent the gun so that the axis of the tube at the muzzle was (as far as could be estimated) 200 mm. (about 8 in.) out of line.
The cradle of this gun was split, the trunnions somewhat bent and the caps thereof partially opened out.
The left gun of this turret, however, remained serviceable and the Turret could continue firing without interruption.
7. A 34.3 cm. (13.5") shell (hit No.18) pierced the vertical armour of the revolving structure of No.4 Turret superimposed to the left of the left gun exploded inside the turret, ignited the cartridges which were ready for loading, put the turret out of action and killed all the crew (about 70 men) except 6.
T [sic] This turret, already out of action, received another hit later from a 38 cm. (15") shell (hit No.17) this projectile struck the revolving Turret armour close to the lower edge at the right rear of the turret, and partially penetrated the turret.
8. A Large calibre shell tore off the roof of the after (No.5) turret. (Geschossgeller ? ricochet). The turret suffered no appreciable damage inside.
The remaining hits are being dealt with in the report on ship construction.≠ [I.D. Note: The original of this report can, unfortunately, not be obtained.]
1. Extensive "flash" protection was already installed in "SEYDLITZ".
(a) The openings for bringing 28 cm. cartridges into the lower loading chamber of the Ammunition Hoist can be shut off with sliding doors (schubtüren ?). The supply scuttles from the magazines are fitted with hinged flaps which open upwards on each side (Fig.3, Enc.3).
(b) The 15 cm. (5.9") Ammunition hoists at the supply position in the casemates are fitted with a "closing flap" which shuts automatically, but its own weight assisted by a spring, immediately after the ammunition has rolled out on to the Ammunition Tray (which is placed in a horizontal position by a Paternoster apparatus (endless chain) (Fig.4, Enc.3).
2. Apparently Gas Masks are employed in all ships. The method of use is the same as in the German Army. Every man was supplied with a mask (as it happened 2 days before action). These masks were to be brought into use immediately there was any evidence of suffocating gases, and they were so far successful that, according to the opinions of officers, at least one ship, if not two, was saved by their use.
3. Enemy "shorts" usually exploded on hitting the water, with the result that, (as in the cases of shells exploding on board), splinters of various sizes struck guns among other things, and caused damage, but in practically every case no stoppage of firing from the gun resulted. Shell splinters also entered Conning Towers and Turrets through the sighting slits. But they caused no internal damage as their force was broken by their passage through the deeps [sic] slits. (Fig.5, Enc.3).
4. In Turret firing. Salvoes were gradually used, and always with only one gun of each turret.
5. For transmission of orders to the guns (also to 15 cm. (5.9" guns) from the Gunnery Officers position (in the Conning Tower) Elevation pointers are used which are mounted (separately) on brackets away from the Turret armour.
6. Ranges of the individual rangefinders are shown on a circular scale (range receiver) by means of electrically worked pointers. All these dials are mounter [sic] in a circular box (Fig.6, Enc.3) so that the ranges of the same object shown by several rangefinders (Pointers in similar direction)[.] Further, it is possible to cut out one or other of the dials if the Rangetaker concerned is ranging badly.
7. Repulse of Destroyers is carried out invariably by means of broadside salvoes of 15 cm. (5.9) guns etc. and one target only is always used. But the Gunlayer is only to fire when sights are exactly on the target.
8. The 8.8 cm. (22 pr.) guns were not used in the battle. It is understood that in the future guns of this calibre, will only be retained on board as anti-aircraft guns, as was laid down for all ships.
9. (a) The empty 26 cm. (11") cartridge cases are thrown out of the turrets on to the deck through openings in rear of the Gun platforms (2 per turret). A covering flap, opening downwards when the cases are thrown out, automatically closes the hole by means of a spring (Fig.7, Enc.3).
(b) The fired 15 cm. (5.9") cartridge are placed in a large hanging net in the casemate, and are only removed from the casemate during a lull in the firing. It was stated that a very large number of fired cases (including Large Calibre ones) were collected and brought back.
10. The voice pipes are made of 60,100 and 150 mm. diameter (2.4 in., 3.8 in.,and 6 in.). (The last named are called Schallrohre and are intended for short distances). Voice pipes are not lagged.
11. The ventilation of the Turrets is similar to the method employed in our newer ships. A Fan placed between the two guns, sucks, on the one hand the powder gases from the breeches by means of a ventilation pipe from each gun when the breech is opened and on the other hand draws them away from the roof of the turret on the gun platform another fan, portable, and continually running, was installed when sucked in fresh air through a hose and passed it into the interior of the turret bymeans [sic] of a second hose. If any man had any difficulty in breathing he inhaled fresh air through the second hose. But even this method only afforded partial relief.
12. All Gunnery machinery (hydraulic and electric) appears to have function correctly.
13. From the Gunnery point of view there were no serious fires (magazines of any description), for which the "Flash door" protection described in Section II Miscellaneous, Pars. I (a) and (b) is principally responsible. All cartridges actually in a turret or casemate,when [sic] an enemy shell burst in the turret or casemate, were exploded in every case. Therefore the rule was most strictly enforced that only the absolute minimum of ammunition was kept ready at the guns.
14. "SEYDLITZ" had 1150 28 cm. (11" shell) on board, of which 450 were expended. (No ship expended all her ammunition).
15. The torpedo nets were not actually a hindrance in the action but they sustained heavy damage fromenemy [sic] hits and splinters so that parts of them hung down over the ships side.
In future these nets being useless ballast will no longer be carried. This is already the case in the new battleship "BAYERN".
This Battleship received no shell hits, but was struck by a mine onthe [sic] starboard side forward. The detailed description is contained in the report on Ship Construction.
At the time of the inspection of this ship the 30.5 cm. (12") Ammunition was being embarked. The shells were being slung from the Quay on to the Deck by means of a powerful floating crane in bundles (of about 5 projectiles). All cartridges are enclosed in long water-tight zinc containers, fitted with stiffening bands. They were being rolled on board carefully across broad planks and stowed in the Magazines. If several rounds of ready ammunition have to be stowed in the Turret, the charges are always kept in the zinc cylinders.
The 30.5 cm. (12") and also 28 cm. (11") projectiles are (according to the statement of the Gunnery Officer of this ship, Lt.Comdr.Lauenstein) of one description throughout, capped and fitted with base fuse. Total weight 405 kg. (about 890 lbs.) Bursting charge 12 to 13 kg. (26½ to 29 lbs.) of Trotyl. In the latest ships, however, "Armour piercing" and "high explosive" shell (but with a new explosive for bursting charge) are again to be used, as is already the case with the 28 cm. (15") shell in the Battleship "BAYERN".
For the 15 cm.(5.9") guns it is reported that there are two types of shell in use.
- (a) Fused shell with base fuses.
- (b) High explosive shell,with a very sensitive nose fuse and a base fuse.
This Battle Cruiser received 4 hits from large calibre shells (all on the starboard side).
(1). The foremost 28 cm. (11") Turret was hit in the Barbette on the starboard side. The shell exploded and the armour was just penetrated (Hit No.1). Three men in the turret sustained burns (not very severe) from the "Flash". But the Turret was placed out of action as the armour at the point of impact was bulged inwards and jammed the Turret.
(2). The after Conning Tower was similarly hit (Hit No.2)[.] But the shell only caused a shaking of the Tower and all apparatus inside remained intact.
(3.) A shell exploded in the neighbourhood of the after Turret No.4 (Hit No.3). The effect on the Turret was only evident in a shaking, and the armour in the vicinity of the explosion was very slightly indented but without doing any damage so that the Turret continued in action.
(4). No.4 hit is only of slight constructional interest.
(1). In this ship, as in "OSTFRIESLAND", the question as to whether the collection of scraps of metal (coming from driving bands or Cartridge cases) in the Breech made any difference to the condition of the breech was answered in the negative.
(2). The maximum rate of fire of the 28 cm. (11") guns of this Cruiser, as well as of the 30.5 cm. (12") guns of the "OSTFRIESLAND" is stated to have reached 3 - 4 rounds per minute in peace time.
(3). The arrangement in the 28 cm. (11") turrets is in principle the same as in "SEYDLITZ" or as in the 30.5 cm. (12") guns of the large Battle Cruiser "HINDENBURG" (now building), with the exception of a few improvements in the last named ship. But while in the later ships (30.5 cm. 12") hydraulic rammers with reserve Hand ramming are installed "VON DER TANN" has only double Hand rammers, which are hung under the Turret roof.
The ship was hit 8 times (large calibre) all from the port side.
- (1) Hit No.4 (presumably 34 cm. 13.5") exploded before the Barbette armour of the foremost Turret.
Apart from breaking off small pieces of the hard armour (? Panzerschichte) and a slight shaking of the turret no damage was done to the Turret fittings. A fragment struck the upper surface of a sight slot and remained in the slot, while a good deal of gas entered the Turret and necessitated the use of gas masks by the crew for some time.
- (2). A further heavy shell (Hit No.6) struck the port 15 cm.(5.9") Casemate (3rd. from forward) killed 10 of the crew of 14, but damaged the gun so little that after about 12 minutes the gun's crew having been made up, it was brought into action again. Two cartridges which were in the casemate were ignited.
- (3). The other hits are only of constructional interest.
- Some 30.5 cm. (12") and 15 cm. (5.9") guns were damaged on the outside by splinters from "shorts", but sustained no other damage.
The Magazine arrangements in this ship were somewhat more minutely examined as well as reports made concerning them. (The arrangements described below are also used in the other ships).
The shell bins and shell transport to the shell hoist are shown in Fig. 8, Enc.3) diagrammatically.
A shell grab (Z) worked by 2 electric motors automatically controlled is used to transport the shell from the bins to the waiting tray fixed round the trunk (Turmraum) (A 1.-4). This grab is suspended from a broad length of wire sword matting, the latter can be wound up or down round a drum (Wa), if the transporting shaft (T) which is provided with two diametrical opposite longitudinal feathers is turned in the corresponding direction. Shaft (T) is fitted into drum (Wa). By this the grab is wound up or down. The grab is moved horizontally by the carrier (R), which holds the above-mentioned revolving drum, being drawn to one side or the other by an endless rope, worked electrically along the shaft (T). To assist the long shaft a deck rail is fitted above it which carries the weights, (Projectile grab and drum with carrier), the carrier being suspended from the rail. The electrical starting levers for both motors are fitted in the shell handing room.
If it is required to get a shell out of the bin, the motor operating the horizontal movement of the grab is started. Then the long transporting drum is turned correspondingly by the 2nd.motor, thereby lowering the grab, which grips the shell by automatic pressure. Thereupon, by turning the shaft in the opposite direction the shell is raised, transported to the waiting tray (A) of which 4 are provided and placed on it. This waiting tray is so arranged that a shell can be landed only in the one position in order to prevent an inverted landing on the shell bogie relative to the entry in the hoist. The shell bogie is fitted with the same stops as the waiting tray.
From the waiting tray the shell can be placed on either of the two shell bogies (which are rigidly joined to each other). The latter run easily with rollers on a circular rail, and can not only be adjusted exactly at the waiting tray by means of spring stops, but can also be coupled to the shell hoist in the loading position.
In the shell rooms (lower deck) the shells are stowed in bins four to five deep (Fig.9, Enc.3)[.] The copper driving bands are protected by a broad covering band of strong canvas the ends of which are sewn together with (twine ?). Only rope is placed between the individual shells as a preventative against damage. Two vertical wooden batten are secured to the side walls of the shell bins - right and left.
In order to ensure the grab gripping the shell as near as possible round the centre of gravity, each shell has a white ring painted round it.
It is to be noted that the shell room cannot be shut off (water tightly) from the shell handing room as the large openings in the dividing Bulkhead, through which the transport carrier passes, are always open.
In addition projectiles are stowed in many ships in the corners of the shell handing room itself in fixed bins.
The 30.5 (12") cartridges are stowed in their water tight zinc cylinders in special stowage fittings in the magazines. These stowages are made of angle Iron and sheet plates. (There is no wood in the fittings).
The Magazines, (2 decks from the bottom) in contrast to the shell room, are separated from the Magazine handing room, by a means of thin sheet bulkheads, in which the passage ways are fitted with double doors and the circular openings for handing cartridges are fitted with double covering flaps (the latter have already been remarked on in "SEYDLITZ" Section 11, Fig.3, Enc.3.[)]
For transport of cartridges in the Magazines the transporting gear shewn in Fig.10, Enc.3 is available. This consists of a double rail (R) in which a horizontal (sheet iron) tray, semicircular in section can be moved up and down in guides by means of a hand differential purchase (F). The Tray can then be brought to the exact level of the cartridge. The Transporting gear is suspended from an overhead rail,(S) and also runs in a guide rail on the deck (SS). The cartridge is pushed on to the tray and the transporter then brought to the cartridge handing hole, and after opening the double flaps, transferred to the Turret.
The Turret appliances correspond in general to those in "HINDENBURG", about which data are described later. But an exception must be made in the case of the size and installation of the Rangefinders (Fig.11, Enc.3).In "KURFÜRST" the Rangefinders about 3 meters (10 ft.) long are fitted in hoods in the front of the Turret, while "HINDENBURG" the 8 metre (26 ft.) range finders are already being fitted in the same way as will be the case in our 35 cm. (about 14") turrets, now building.
This Battleship was hit 5 times by big guns and all from the port side.
Only hit No.2 is of gunnery interest. This entered the next to the last 15 cm. (5.(') [5.9"] casemate on the port side and exploded, killing the crew and putting gun out of action for the remainder of the battle, though it did not damage it very seriously.
Several splinters from this shell pierced the bulkhead and entered the next casemate (forward) and killed or wounded several men. But this gun was brought into action again after an interval of about 10 minutes to make up the crew.
In the case of this ship also, splinters from enemy shorts entered the Conning Tower, but without causing any damage to either personnel or Materiel.
During the whole engagement about 250 rounds of 30 cm. (12") ammunition was fired, i.e. about one fifth of the total supply on board.
This ship was hit 4 times by heavy shell (all from the starboard side).
One shell (Hit No.3) pierced the upper side armour and burst behind the latter inside the ship. It also caused some damage outside to No.4.15 cm. (5.9") casemate starboard (from forward) killing or wounding several men, but causing little damage to the gun. This gun was again brought into action after about 15 minutes.
"MOLTKE" was the only ship from which 4 Torpedoes were fired (not in salvo, but one after the other). On board, it was stated by officers that "QUEEN MARY" was fired at and hit at about 10 kilometres (10,935 yds.), and that this was the cause of the rapid sinking of this Battle Cruiser. Officers of other ships, however, were not of this opinion, as when "MOLTKE" fired the distance from "QUEEN MARY" was about 13 kilometres (14,217 yds.) and that the torpedoes have not this range; so that only Gunnery can be taken into consideration.
In the "MOLTKE", splinters from short bursting shells also entered the Conning Tower, without, however, causing any noteworthy damage.
This Battle Cruiser was hit the largest number of times, viz:- 30, of these 20 were of heavy calibre and all came from the port side.
- (1) A 15" shell pierced the roof of N.4 30.5 cm. (12") Turret (hit No.5) exploded inside the Turret, thereby igniting all the charges which were there (apparently only two) and killed all the Turret's crew, (74 men including reserve crew), except 2 men who were able to get away (wounded).
- The Turret itself was put out of action because (as was the case in all these hits on Turrets) much damage was done to the various instruments and appliances by the splinters and flash.
- It is worthy of note that the electric cables in the Turret were comparatively uninjured.
- (2). Turret No.3 was also hit by a 38 cm. (15") shell (hit No.6). The projectile penetrated the Barbette armour and took with it a large piece of plating into the interior of the Turret. The 74 men of the Turret's crew (as in the hit described above[)] for the most part were killed, only 6 men getting away wounded. It is observed that an 8.8 cm. (22 pr.) gun which was 3½ metres (about 11½ ft.) away from the point of impact, was completely undamaged, although the deck below the spot, and in the immediate vicinity of this gun, was badly damaged.
- Nos.3 and 4 Turrets were only put out of action towards the end of the engagement.
- The two foremost Turrets remained completely intact, although the Barbette armour of the second Turret showed a fairly large scrape from a (very glancing) shell hit. But this caused no further damage to the Turret (hit No.13).
- (4). The Conning Tower was hit on the starboard side on the edge. But only small pieces of the brittle face of the armoured plates splintered off, and in the Tower itself only one elevation-pointer ceased to function.
- (5). Very severe damage was done by a large calibre shell (hit No.20) which exploded close to the casemate of the No.2 15 cm. (5.9) gun port, which not only damaged this gun, but also put the two neighbouring 15 cm. (5.9") guns out of action. The first named gun was principally severely damaged on the chase, and the chase of the foremost 15 cm. (5.9") gun was indented to such an extent by splinters, that it could not be fired again. The other gun in the vicinity was so shaken up by the powerful explosion, that it could not be moved again. The casualties sustained by the gun's crews were in contrast comparatively small. (1 man killed and several severely or slightly wounded at the first named gun[)].
A large fragment of a 38 cm. (15") shell (which failed to explode), was exhibited on board (as is shown in Fig.12, Enc.3)[.] The much distorted fuze was also found.
There were 13 hits (large calibre) identified all from the port side and above the waterline.
- (1). A 34.3 cm. (13.5) shell hit the port foremost 15 cm. (5.9") casemate. (Hit No.9). A large piece of armour plating was carried into the casemate, where the shell exploded, killed the gun's crew (11 men) and put the gun out of action. The armour plate went further, penetrated the bulkhead, entered the galley, destroyed it and killed more men.
- (2). Another 34.3 cm. (13.5") shell penetrated the second 15 cm. (5.9") casemate (hit No.8) and exploded, making the gun useless and, by penetrating the deck also caused much damage in the compartment below. The crew of this gun was by chance not at the moment in the casemate, as they had gone out for a short time on account of gas from the explosion in the first 15 cm. (5.9) casemate (which had occurred just previously.) The result was that there were no killed or wounded among the gun's crew.
- (3). The traces of a shell were visible on the roof of the foremost 30.5 (12") Turret. (Hit No.11.) The projectile damaged the Rangefinder cover, and tore off a piece of it, rendering the Rangefinder useless. No other damage was caused by this hit.
- (4). The roof of the Conning Tower was similarly gazed [sic] by a shell, which left a scratch but caused no other damage to the Tower or its instruments, etc.
This Cruiser, now building will be given an armament of 8 30.5 cm. (12") guns 50 cal. (in four double turrets, 2 forward and 2 aft as in "DERFFLINGER") and 14 15 cm. (5.9") and 8.8 cm[.] (22 pr.) Anti-aircraft guns.
The foremost superimposed Turret (No.2) was mostly built in, and a short inspection of it was made.
The Gun-platform is especially roomy. The distance apart of the centres of the two gun barrels being estimated at about 3 metres (10 feet approx.)[.] The complete arrangement of the gun-platform can be seen in the diagrammatic Sketch (Fig.13, Enc.3). The 2 shell hoists (G) are side by side between the gun and to the left of the left gun, (and right of the right gun) are the two ammunition hoists (P).
The up-coming ammunition is placed in its slide (TT) in the rear by means of unloading rammers (so-called "Umlauder"), whence it rolls on to the loading Tray, and finally on to the shell swings or cartridge swings, which by swinging across, brings the shell or cartridges one after the other to the rear of the gun for loading.
The two rammers are hydraulic chain Rammers (with reserve hand drive). In the space at the rear of the platform there are :- an entrance opening (E) and two openings (A) for passing out firedcartridge [sic] cases. These openings (A) are constructed similarly to those more exactly described under "SEYDLITZ" (Sec.II. Par.9).
The Breeches are worked hydraulically (the reserve method being by hand.)
The principle can be gathered from Fig.14, Enc.3 . A bar with a tooth edged point (Z), (which can be worked up or down hydraulically) turns the Traversing shaft by means of cog wheels (R1, R2, R3) and opens or shuts the breech. The Water-pressure is led to the mechanism through two flexible hoses. If the cog wheel R3 is placed out of gear with R2, the hydraulic system is shut off.
For elevating,Trunnion sights are provided and for training a sighting telescope is fitted in front between the guns.
The Rangefinder (about 8 metres long) which was not yet on board, is to be fitted in the front of the Turret above the guns (under the roof as already referred to under "KURFÜRST")[.] Only the two side openings in the armour could be seen.
Elevating is worked hydraulically (Reserve system by hand). (The ammunition hoists are also worked hydraulically, but here the alternative system is electric).
A gun coupling is fitted in this ship as in all later ships. But these couplings are apparently only for use when it is desired to elevate a gun whose elevating gear has been damaged.
The normal Turret Training gear and also the reserve system is only worked by electric motors.
The same system of ventilation is used as has already been described in "SEYDLITZ" (Section II, Par.II).
All working machinery (Electrically driven pumps, and electric motors for elevating, training, hoists, rammers, etc.) are apparently installed in the spacious working chamber below the gun platform.
The arrangements in the Magazines as well as the transporting gear for passing shell and cartridges from them to the hoists are the same as those already more minutely described under battleship "GROSSER KÜRFURST."
This battleship, only recently completed, had to carry out exercises whilst at Kiel, and the Commission was invited to join for a cruise, which gave opportunity for a certain amount of inspection.
The armament consists of eight 38 cm. (15") G.L. 45 guns in four double turrets apparently arranged as shown in the Almanac; sixteen 15 cm. (5.9") G.L. 45 guns in casemates and eight 8.8 cm. (22 pr.) anti-aircraft guns.
38 cm. Gun Turret. (Fig. 15, Enc.3).
The distance apart of the bore axes is 3700 mm. (12.1 ft.) for these guns[.] 8.8 cm. sub-calibre guns are provided, which are put in from outboard (i.e. muzzle end.)
The Gunhouse, as in the turrets of the "HINDENBURG" is very roomy.
In this turret there has been introduced no important alteration with respect to the munition hoists. Whereas in all previous ships the shot hoist was separate from the cartridge hoist, in this ship, as with us (the Austrian Navy), both hoists for one gun are combined in one trunk; and also instead of the shell and cartridge swings in the "HINDENBURG" (see above) munition wagons (W1, W2), which run on cross rails are introduced. The two main hoists (A1, A2) come up between the two guns. Besides these there are in addition two electrically driven auxiliary hoists (H1, H2).
The round which arrives at the top of the hoist is taken out and landed, by means of the unloading rammer (U) in the munition wagon, which brings it to the rear of the particular gun in the loading position, whence it is loaded by means of the rammer.
The munition wagons, rammers and unloading rammers are normally worked by hydraulic power (with auxiliary handworking gear); at the back of the turret are two principal operating positions, (ST1, ST2) which are raised to give a good all-round view, and where all the necessary manipulation for the foregoing hydraulic machinery is carried out.
The munition hoists are also hydraulically worked, and electric drive is provided as an alternative. The elevating and breech mechanism gear are hydraulic (with alternative hand gear).
The following sighting arrangements are provided :-
- (a) For elevation - two side trunnion sights as well as two reserve sights in front.
- (b) For training - a principal trainer's telescope in front between the two guns, as well as a side telescope as reserve.
Asked whether any automatic firing apparatus was in contemplation, it was replied that a place for such apparatus was provided but the installation could not be expected till later, and depended on the solution of several problems which had yet to be experimented on.
The large 8.2 m. (26.9 ft.) rangefinder is placed the same as in the "HINDENBURG".
