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Questions and Answers
What was the main improvement of SMS Helgoland's design compared to the previous Nassau class?
When was SMS Helgoland commissioned into service?
Which class of ships did SMS Helgoland precede in the design of the German dreadnought battleships?
What was the length of SMS Helgoland?
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What ultimately delayed the next major qualitative improvement in battleship design after SMS Helgoland?
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What year was the Helgoland battleship commissioned into service?
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What was the primary propulsion system of the Helgoland battleship?
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Which feature characterized the design of the Helgoland battleship?
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What was the total length of the Helgoland battleship?
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How many 30.5 cm guns did the Helgoland have?
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What was the thickness of the armor on the central citadel of the Helgoland?
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In which battle squadron did the Helgoland replace the pre-dreadnought Hannover?
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What modification was made to the boilers of the Helgoland after 1915?
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Study Notes
Overview of SMS Helgoland
- SMS Helgoland was a German dreadnought battleship, leading her class, with significant design enhancements over the Nassau class.
- The main gun caliber increased from 28 cm to 30.5 cm for improved firepower.
- Keel laid on 11 November 1908, launched on 25 September 1909, and commissioned on 23 August 1911.
Combat History
- Participated in limited operations during World War I.
- Served as a covering force for I Scouting Group's battlecruisers at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May - 1 June 1916.
- Engaged less frequently than contemporaries like Koenig- and Kaiser-class ships.
- Ceded to Great Britain post-war and scrapped in the early 1920s.
- The ship's coat of arms is displayed in the Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr in Dresden.
Design Specifications
- Measured 167.2 m (548 ft 7 in) in length, with a beam of 28.5 m (93 ft 6 in) and a draft of 8.94 m (29 ft 4 in).
- Displacement was 24,700 tons.
- Design involved exploring various turret layouts before standardizing on a hexagonal arrangement like the Nassau class.
- German Kaiserliche Marine aimed to upgrade armament to 30.5 cm guns to match British standards, delaying future developments due to increased costs.
Helgoland Battle Ship Details
Overview
- Helgoland served as a German pre-dreadnought battleship, officially commissioned in 1911.
- Replaced the older Siegfried coastal defense ship.
Design Features
- Featured a flush deck with minimal superstructure, large armored conning tower forward, and a secondary conning position aft.
- Equipped with two pole masts for searchlights and spotting functions, crewed by 42 officers and 1,071 enlisted personnel.
Propulsion
- Powered by three triple-expansion steam engines and fifteen water-tube boilers, vented through three forward funnels.
- Coal capacity of 3,200 metric tons enables a range of 5,500 nautical miles at a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).
- Post-1915 modifications allowed for oil burning with a capacity of 194 long tons.
Armament
- Armed with 12 x 30.5 cm (12 in) SK L/50 guns in six twin turrets, with varied placements across the ship.
- Additional weapons included 14 x 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L guns in upper deck casemates and 14 x 8.8 cm guns (two converted to anti-aircraft in 1914).
- Equipped with 6 x 50 cm torpedo tubes at bow, stern, and broadsides.
Armor Protection
- Central citadel had 300 mm (11.8 in) thick armor.
- Gun turret faces and sides were reinforced with similar thickness.
- Deck armor measured 63.5 mm (2.5 in).
Service History Highlights
- Constructed by Howaldtswerke in Kiel, launched in 1909.
- Named after the Helgoland islands, crucial for the Kiel Canal defense.
- Entered active service on 23 August 1911, following armament installation.
- Set a German record for coal loading on 9 February 1912, taking 1,100 tons, topping the earlier record of the Nassau-class battleship Posen.
- Replaced the pre-dreadnought Hannover in I Battle Squadron on 19 December 1911.
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Description
Explore the design, combat history, and specifications of the SMS Helgoland, a significant German dreadnought battleship. Launched in 1909, it played a crucial role during World War I and was known for its enhanced firepower and design innovations. Learn about its legacy and contributions to naval warfare.
