Cruisers - German "Irene" Class

Cruisers

German "Irene" Class

- Protected Cruisers -


	This class of two cruisers (Prinzess Wilhelm and Irene) was the first German attempt to build modern ships with an increased displacement. The ships had good seagoing capabilities and could be compared with similar ships of the other nations.
	Both were laid down in 1886, Prinzess Wilhelm at Germania shipyard, Kiel, and Irene at Vulcan, Stettin. They served at overseas and were modernized in the 1890s.

	Technical Data
	Built: Displacement: Dimensions: Propulsion: Max. Speed: Range: Fuel: Crew:	1886 - 1898 4,400 94 x 14 x 6.9 m 8,000 ihp; 2 VTE 18 kts 3,000 nm @ 10 kts 540 tons coal (standard load) 365
	Tactical Data
	Main Armament: Minor/QF/AA: Torpedoes: Armour: Searchlights:	4x150 QF; 8x105 6x50; 8x8mm machine guns 3x350 deck: 80+75 2x


	Prinzess Wilhelm - spring 1886: laid down as cruiser 2nd class at Germania Werft, Kiel, as replacement of Ariadne; 1887-09-22: launched and christened Prinzess Wilhelm; 1889-11-19: commissioned; 1899: reclassified as "Kleiner Kreuzer"; 1914-02-17: canceled in fleet list and used as mine hulk; 1921-11-26: sold for scrap.
	*Irene* - 1887-07-23: launched at A.G. Vulcan, Stettin; 1888-05-25: commissioned; 1893: reclassified cas cruiser 2nd class; 1899: reclassified as "Kleiner Kreuzer"; 1914-02-17: cancelled in fleet list

Quellen/Sources: Re01

Updated: 04/17/07

© hgs 04/99