 "Nautilus" was built by the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen; her keel was laid down as "mine steamer A" on 19 December 1905, and her completed hull was launched as "Nautilus" on 28 August 1906.After completing fitting-out work, the ship was commissioned for sea trials on 19 March 1907, which lasted until 25 May.She was initially used for mine warfare training and was based in Cuxhaven.