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SMS Oldenburg

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History
Kaiserliche Marine JackGermany
BuilderSchichau-Werft, Danzig
Laid down1 March 1909
Launched30 June 1910
Commissioned1 May 1912
FateScrapped in 1921
General characteristics
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
22,808 tonnes (designed)
24,700 tonnes (full load)
Length167.20 m (551.76 ft)
Beam28.50 m (94.05 ft)
Draft8.94 m (29.50 ft)
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
3 shaft
3 cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engines
Template:Auto shp
Speed20.8 knots (39 km/h)
Range5,500 nautical miles (10,190 km) at 10 knots (19 km/h)
Complementlist error: <br /> list (help)
42 officers
1027 enlisted
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
12 × 12 in (305 mm) guns
14 × 150 mm (5.9 in) guns
14 × 88 mm (3.5 in) guns
6 × 500 mm (19.7 in) torpedo tubes torpedo tubes

SMS Oldenburg was a Helgoland class Dreadnought battleship of the Kaiserliche Marine. Her keel was laid down on 1 March 1909 at the Schichau-Werft shipyards in Danzig. Oldenburg launched on 30 June 1910 and was commissioned on 1 May 1912.

Design

Dimensions and machinery

Oldenburg was 167.2 m (549 ft) long, had a beam of 28.5 m (94 ft), and a draught of 8.94 m (29.3 ft). The ship displaced 22,808 tonnes with a normal load, and 24,700 tonnes fully laden. The ship was propelled by 3 shaft, 3 cylinder vertical triple-expansion steam engines, which produced 22,000 shp and a top speed of 20.8 knots. Oldenburg had a range of 5,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. Oldenburg and her sisters were distinguished from the preceding Nassau class battleships by having three funnels, compared to two on the earlier ships, and the lack of the large crane amidships.

Armament

Oldenburg was armed with twelve 12 in (30 cm) guns, mounted in double turrets in the same hexagonal configuration as the preceding Nassau class, with one turret fore, one aft, and four amidships, two on either side of the ship. The secondary battery comprised fourteen 5.9 in (15 cm) guns and fourteen 3.4 in (8.6 cm) guns singly mounted along the length of the ship. Helgoland was also armed with six 19.7 in (50 cm) torpedo tubes.

Armor

Oldenburg had an armored belt that was 12 in (30 cm) thick in the strongest area, and tapered to 3 in (7.6 cm) inches in less critical areas such as the bow and stern. The barbettes were protected by armor that was 12 inches thick at the strongest point, and only two inches in less exposed areas. The turrets themselves were also protected by 12 inches of armor plating. This was an improvement in protection compared to the previous Nassau class battleships, which had 11 in (28 cm) of armor on both the barbettes and turrets. The deck was covered by armor 2.5 in (6.4 cm) thick.

Service history

During World War I, Oldenburg took part in various fleet actions in both the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, as part of the I Battle Squadron. Oldenburg, along with the other three ships of her class, participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During the battle, Oldenburg fired fifty-three 12 inch shells, and received one hit from a secondary battle. The ship's crew suffered 22 casualties during the battle, with 8 killed and 14 wounded.

After the end of World War I, all four Helgoland class battleships were surrendered as prizes of war to the Allies, with Oldenburg going to the Empire of Japan. She was scrapped at Dordrecht in 1921.