Imperial German Navy
From The Dreadnought Project
The Kaiserlich Deutschen Marine (English: Imperial German Navy) was the Navy of Imperial Germany from 1871 to 1918.
Creation
The imperial nature of the Navy was enshrined in Article 53 of the Constitution of the German Empire:
The navy of the Empire is a unit under the command of the Emperor. The organisation and structure of the same is within the jurisdiction of the Emperor, who appoints the officers and officials of the Navy, and receives a direct oath of allegiance.
The Port of Kiel and the Jadehafen [Wilhelmshaven] are Reich naval ports.
Of establishing and maintaining the fleet and related institutions necessary expenses will be paid from the Reich treasury. The whole maritime population of the empire, including the engine crew and boat craftsman, is exempt from the service in the land army, however, for the service in the Imperial Navy committed.
The distribution of the replacement demand will take place in accordance with the existing maritime population, and thereafter provided by each state rate is presented for the land forces in accounting.
Administration
By Allerhöchste Ordre of 14 March, 1899, the powers of the Oberkommando der Marine were split between the Imperial Navy Office and the Admiral Staff.[1]
First World War
During the course of the war up to the Armistice, the Germans built 6 light cruisers, 174 torpedo boats, 115 fleet submarines, 136 U.B. submarines, 95 U.C. submarines, and 196 minesweepers. It lost two battleships, one battle cruiser, six armoured cruisers, eighteen light cruisers, seventeen gunboats, 110 torpedo boats, and 229 submarines.[2]
Footnotes
Bibliography
External Source