Imperial German Navy 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

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Quellen/Sources: Re01
Updated: 04/17/07 © hgs 04/99
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