Wespe-class gunboat: Difference between revisions
Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
The ships featured a light iron [[superstructure]] that served to make the boats more seaworthy. The section before the gun emplacement served as accommodation for the crew. The aft section served as quarters for the officers and non-commissioned officers. Behind the gun, there was a [[deckhouse]], which gave a dry access to the machinery and the officer's quarters. They had no rigging, only a signals [[mast (sailing)|mast]] The ships had a crew that consisted of three offiers and seventy-three to eighty-five enlisted men. While serving as a [[flagship]], an additional three officers and eight enlisted men for a commander's staff would be added.{{sfn|Kronenfels|1881|p=117–119}} |
The ships featured a light iron [[superstructure]] that served to make the boats more seaworthy. The section before the gun emplacement served as accommodation for the crew. The aft section served as quarters for the officers and non-commissioned officers. Behind the gun, there was a [[deckhouse]], which gave a dry access to the machinery and the officer's quarters. They had no rigging, only a signals [[mast (sailing)|mast]] The ships had a crew that consisted of three offiers and seventy-three to eighty-five enlisted men. While serving as a [[flagship]], an additional three officers and eight enlisted men for a commander's staff would be added.{{sfn|Kronenfels|1881|p=117–119}} |
||
Power was provided by a pair of 2-cylinder [[double-expansion steam engine]]s that drove a pair of four-bladed [[screw propeller]]s that were {{cvt|2.5|m}} wide. The engines were placed in a single [[engine room]], though a watertight [[bulkhead (partition)|bulkhead]] divided them. Four cylindrical [[fire-tube boiler]]s provided steam to the engines, and they were vented through a single, tall [[funnel (ship)|funnel]]. The propulsion system was rated to produce a top speed of {{convert|9|kn|lk=in}} from {{cvt|700|PS|ihp}}, though all members of the class exceeded it by more than a knot, with top speeds ranging from {cvt|10.4|to|11.2|kn}}. The ships carried {{cvt|40|t}} of coal for the boilers, which provided a cruising radius of {{convert|700|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{convert|7|kn}}. When speed increased to 10 knots, the range fell to {{cvt|450|nmi}}.{{sfn|Gröner|pp=137–138}}{{sfn|Wislicenus|1896|p=134}} |
|||
The ''Wespe''s had two separate steam engines which each drove their own propeller and were separated from each other by a watertight bulkhead.{{sfn|Wislicenus|1896|p=134}} Together, they produced {{convert|700|ihp|lk=on}}{{sfn|Kronenfels|1883|p=49}} and gave the vessel a speed of {{convert|9|kn|lk=in}}. For war, there was enough coal on board for steaming at full speed for 40 hours. More coal could be loaded for expeditions that did not require shallow draft.{{sfn|Kronenfels|1881|p=118}} |
|||
=== Armament and armor === |
=== Armament and armor === |
Revision as of 19:26, 5 October 2024
Natter in Kiel
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Wespe class |
Builders | AG Weser, Bremen |
Operators | Imperial German Navy |
Built | 1875–1881 |
In service | 1885–1912 |
In commission | 1876–1900 |
Completed | 11 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Gunboat |
Displacement | |
Length | 46.4 m (152 ft 3 in) |
Beam | 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in) |
Draft | 3.2 to 3.4 m (10 ft 6 in to 11 ft 2 in) |
Installed power |
|
Propulsion | |
Speed | 10.4 knots (19.3 km/h; 12.0 mph) |
Complement |
|
Armament | 1 × 30.5 cm (12 in) MRK L/22 gun |
Armor |
The Wespe-class gunboats were a class of 11 armored gunboats of the Imperial German Navy. They were meant for the defence of the North Sea coast. AG Weser in Bremen built them between 1874 and 1881. The boats were often in reserve or used for training purposes.
Background
In Germany, the first plans for coastal defense centered on the use of monitors, e.g. SMS Arminius of about 1,800 t. When the torpedo was developed, the use of such big warships seemed unnecessary. Smaller vessels to defend the torpedo barriers seemed enough.[1] It was initially believed that the German Baltic Sea coast did not require gunboats. Here, all but two of the harbors had parallel moles. These stretched into the sea on both sides of the fairway. With torpedo barriers and heavy coastal batteries to protect these, it was thought unnecessary to have gunboats to keep the enemy at bay.[2] By the time the ships entered service, the naval command realized that gunboats would be needed to defend the Baltic ports, and so several of the ships were stationed in the area.[3])
On the German North Sea coast and the east coast of Schleswig-Holstein the situation was quite different. Here the Eider, Elbe, Weser, Jade, and Ems exited into shallow waters with many shoals and islands. If the enemy could pass the outer limits of these shallow waters, he could safely anchor and prepare an attack or landing.[2] Vessels defending these areas therefore needed a shallow draft. They also had to defend the local torpedo barriers. Here, these had to be so far from the coast that they could not to be defended by coastal artillery.[4]
After concluding that on the North Sea coast, monitors of about 2,000 t could be replaced by much smaller vessels, the next question was whether these small vessels should be armored or not. England, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Russia opted for unarmored gunboats.[1] The 'unarmored' school of thought proposed small unarmored gunboats with a single heavy gun. It noted that in these circumstances, these boats offered a small target, while their guns could penetrate up to 20 cm (7.9 in) of armor at medium distances. Due to their very shallow draft, these small gunboats could also evade ram attacks. A further advantage was the limited cost of these boats. Which of course also meant that one could buy more of these.[4] This led to the Ant-class gunboats of about 250 t and the Ever-class gunboats of 200 t.
The German Navy school of thought said that an unarmored vessel could only be useful when it was covered by natural heights or a mole. In all other circumstances, it risked swift destruction. The threat by enemy capital ships was of course obvious. A less obvious threat was that posed by steam launches (Dampfbeibooten). These of course had much smaller guns, but these light guns were sufficient to destroy unarmored ships. These light guns were also much more in line with the size of the vessel on which they were mounted. This caused that the launches were way more stable at sea, relating in a far higher chance to hit the target.[4]
Design
After the German Navy opted for armored gunboats, it could issue some specifications for new gunboats. The navy required the use of a gun that could penetrate 20 cm of armor, even at long distances. In turn, the boats should themselves also be protected 20 cm of armor. The gunboats should furthermore be seaworthy and have a shallow draft. The navy required only a limited speed for the vessels.[5]
Characteristics
General characteristics and machinery
The Wespe-class gunboats' hulls were made of wrought iron, using transverse iron frame construction. They were 45.4 meters (148 ft 11 in) long at the waterline and 46.4 m (152 ft 3 in) long overall. They had a beam of 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in), a depth of hold of 4.10 m (13 ft 5 in), and a draft of 3.2 to 3.4 m (10 ft 6 in to 11 ft 2 in). They displaced 1,098 metric tons (1,081 long tons; 1,210 short tons) as designed and up to 1,163 t (1,145 long tons; 1,282 short tons) at full load. The ships' hull was divided into ten watertight compartments and a double hull on the bottom side that extended for fifty-five percent of its length.[6][7]
The ships featured a light iron superstructure that served to make the boats more seaworthy. The section before the gun emplacement served as accommodation for the crew. The aft section served as quarters for the officers and non-commissioned officers. Behind the gun, there was a deckhouse, which gave a dry access to the machinery and the officer's quarters. They had no rigging, only a signals mast The ships had a crew that consisted of three offiers and seventy-three to eighty-five enlisted men. While serving as a flagship, an additional three officers and eight enlisted men for a commander's staff would be added.[8]
Power was provided by a pair of 2-cylinder double-expansion steam engines that drove a pair of four-bladed screw propellers that were 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide. The engines were placed in a single engine room, though a watertight bulkhead divided them. Four cylindrical fire-tube boilers provided steam to the engines, and they were vented through a single, tall funnel. The propulsion system was rated to produce a top speed of 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) from 700 PS (690 ihp), though all members of the class exceeded it by more than a knot, with top speeds ranging from {cvt|10.4|to|11.2|kn}}. The ships carried 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons) of coal for the boilers, which provided a cruising radius of 700 nautical miles (1,300 km; 810 mi) at a speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). When speed increased to 10 knots, the range fell to 450 nmi (830 km; 520 mi).[7][3]
Armament and armor
The Wespes were armed with a 30.5 cm MRK L/22 on pivot carriage which put its trunnions 3.7 m above the water. The gun was placed behind a circular armored barbette of 203 mm (8 in) thickness.[6] The class also had a ram.[9]
Later, the Wespes got two 8.8 cm SK guns and two revolver guns. Below the waterline they got two torpedo tubes.[10]
At the time, the Wespe class combined the heaviest gun in the German navy with an armor protection that was comparable to that of many battleships. It was thought this would allow the boats to engage most enemy capital ships on distances at which most of the enemy's guns could not penetrate the boat's armor. In the coastal area, the shallow draught boats could then evade again in spite of their low speed.[11]
The armor belt was 203 mm (8 in) thick. It continued at that same thickness along the whole bow section, but tapered to 102 mm (4 in) at the stern.[12] This was because the Wespes were planned to engage the enemy with their bow forward, instead of with the broadside. The deck of the Wespes was protected by a 50 mm (2 in) thick deck armor.[13]
Ships
Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wespe | AG Weser, Bremen | May 1875[14] | 6 July 1876[15] | 26 November 1876[16] |
Viper | May 1875[17] | 21 September 1876[12] | 27 March 1877[16] | |
Biene | 1876[18] | 2 December 1876[12] | 20 August 1877[16] | |
Mücke | 1876[18] | 5 May 1877[12] | 25 February 1878[16] | |
Scorpion | July 1876[19] | 17 May 1877[12] | 12 December 1877[16] | |
Basilisk | September 1877[20] | 1878[21] | 20 August 1880[16] | |
Camaeleon | 1878[18] | 21 December 1878[16] | 10 November 1879[16] | |
Crocodill | 1878[18] | 19 September 1879[16] | 20 September 1880[16] | |
Salamander | September 1878[22] | 6 January 1880[22] | 4 September 1883[16] | |
Natter | July 1879[22] | 29 September 1880[22] | 20 May 1881[16] | |
Hummel | July 1879[22] | 12 February 1881[22] | 22 May 1882[16] |
Service history
In 1881, the North Sea station had: Viper, Mücke, Scorpion, Salamander, Natter, and Wespe. The Baltic Sea station had: Basilisk, Camaeleon, Crocodill, Hummel, and Biene.[23]
Notes
- ^ a b Kronenfels 1881, p. 110.
- ^ a b Kronenfels 1881, p. 111.
- ^ a b Wislicenus 1896, p. 134.
- ^ a b c Kronenfels 1881, p. 112.
- ^ Kronenfels 1881, p. 113.
- ^ a b Kronenfels 1881, p. 114.
- ^ a b Gröner, pp. 137–138.
- ^ Kronenfels 1881, p. 117–119.
- ^ Kronenfels 1881, p. 118.
- ^ Wislicenus 1896, p. 133, 134.
- ^ Kronenfels 1881, p. 116.
- ^ a b c d e Dislere 1877, p. 125.
- ^ Kronenfels 1881, p. 117.
- ^ Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz Vol. 8, p. 69.
- ^ "Occasional Notes". Pall Mall Gazette. No. 3564. London. 21 June 1876.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Gröner, p. 138.
- ^ Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz Vol. 8, p. 48.
- ^ a b c d Gröner, p. 137.
- ^ Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz Vol. 7, p. 150.
- ^ Hildebrand, Röhr, & Steinmetz Vol. 2, p. 40.
- ^ Barnes 1890, p. 296.
- ^ a b c d e f Hannoverscher Kurier 31 Oct 1882.
- ^ "Wilhelmshaven, 28. August". Hannoverscher Kurier. 29 August 1881.
References
- Barnes, F.K. (1890). "Part II British and Foreign Armoured and Unarmoured Ships". Brassey's Naval Annual. Portsmouth: J. Griffin and Co.
- Dislere, P. (1877). Die Panzerschiffe der neuesten Zeit [The Ironclads of the Modern Era] (in German). Carl Gerold's Sohn, Pola.
- Gröner, Erich (1990). German Warships: 1815–1945. Vol. I: Major Surface Vessels. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-790-6.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien: ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies: A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 2. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8364-9743-5.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien – ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies − A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 3. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7822-0211-4.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien – ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies − A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 4. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7822-0382-1.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien – ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies − A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 6. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. ISBN 3-7822-0237-6.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien – ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies − A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 7. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag. OCLC 310653560.
- Hildebrand, Hans H.; Röhr, Albert & Steinmetz, Hans-Otto (1993). Die Deutschen Kriegsschiffe: Biographien – ein Spiegel der Marinegeschichte von 1815 bis zur Gegenwart [The German Warships: Biographies − A Reflection of Naval History from 1815 to the Present] (in German). Vol. 8. Ratingen: Mundus Verlag.
- Kronenfels, J.F. von (1881). Das schwimmende Flottenmaterial der Seemächte [The Warships of the Naval Powers] (in German). A. Hartleben's Verlag, Wien.
- Kronenfels, J.F. von (1883). Das schwimmende Flottenmaterial der Seemächte, die Kriegsschiffbauten 1881-1882 [The Warships of the Naval Powers: The Warships Built 1881–1882] (in German). Vol. Erster Ergänzungsband. A. Hartleben's Verlag, Wien.
- Wislicenus, Georg (1896). Deutschlands Seemacht: sonst und jetzt nebst einem Überblick über die Geschichte der Seefahrt aller Völker [Germany's Sea Power: Then and Now, an Overview of the Maritime History of all Nations] (in German). Grunow, Leipzig.
- "Berlin, 30. Oct". Hannoverscher Kurier (in German). Hannover. 29 August 1881.