class cruiser class class protected cruisers built german_imperial_navy kaiserliche_marine late 1880s class comprised ships protected cruisers built german_navy built ships armed main battery fourteen guns speed knots mph modernized armament upgraded new quick firing guns ships served station played major role seizure concession november ships returned germany turn 20th century remained european waters removed active service reduced secondary roles continued serve early 1920s sold scrap design general characteristics ships long waterline meters long overall beam draft forward displaced metric tons long tons short tons designed displacement long tons short tons combat load hull constructed transverse longitudinal steel frames outer hull consisted wood covered copper prevent stem bronze iron hull divided watertight compartments double extended percent length hull ships good sea boats ran wind lost minimal speed hard turns suffered moderate roll pitch heavy seas ships capable half speed suffered structural weakness forecastle transverse metacentric height ships crew officers enlisted men modernization turn century ships crews comprised officers enlisted men ships carried number smaller boats including picket boats platforms added foremast waterline machinery propulsion system consisted horizontal cylinder double expansion steam engines powered coal fired cylindrical double boilers engines produced equipped pair bladed screws diameter slightly larger screws blades ships engines rated indicated horsepower provided speed mph range approximately nautical miles mph ships equipped pair electrical generators produced kilowatts volts later equipped generators combined output volts steering controlled single rudder armament armor ships armed guns single pedestal mounts supplied rounds ammunition total range ships carried shorter guns single mounts guns shorter range gun armament rounded revolver cannon equipped torpedo tubes torpedoes launchers mounted deck bow waterline ships modernized wilhelmshaven ships armament significantly improved guns replaced new model increased range quick firing guns installed place guns guns added ships protected compound steel armor armored deck plus thick thick slopes thick thick teak conning tower thick sides thick roof ships equipped service history protected cruiser built german navy ordered contract laid vulcan shipyard stettin launched july fitting work commenced commissioned german navy ordered contract laid shipyard kiel launched september fitting work commenced commissioned german navy november saw extensive service german fleet frequently escorted yacht cruises europe deployed east asian waters joined following year ships involved seizure naval base november led admiral dock engine maintenance time present operation result seizure reorganized ships present philippines immediate aftermath american spanish squadrons spanish american war hoped use crisis opportunity seize naval base region unsuccessful returned germany modernized followed sister germany similarly modified ships remained service early retired line service secondary duties converted submarine tender served capacity sold scrap broken following year reduced hulk february ultimately broken scrap
Irene-class cruiser