German Pre-Dreadnought Battleship SMS Brandenburg

The German pre-dreadnought battleship SMS Brandenburg was the lead ship of her class and represented a major milestone in the development of the Imperial German Navy. Commissioned in 1893, she was one of Germany’s first ocean-going battleships and a significant departure from the previously coastal-defence oriented naval policy. Her construction marked the beginning of Germany’s aspirations to become a world-class maritime power.

The Brandenburg was one of four ships in her class, along with Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm, Weissenburg, and Wörth. Authorized in the 1880s, these ships reflected the growing desire within the German Admiralty to match the naval power of other European nations. Until then, Germany’s naval strength had primarily consisted of smaller vessels intended to defend its coastline or protect commerce. With the Brandenburg-class, Germany began building capital ships that could operate on the high seas alongside or against the great fleets of Britain, France, and Russia.

Laid down in 1890 and launched the following year, Brandenburg was a substantial ship for her time, displacing around 10,000 tons when fully loaded. She was about 115 meters long and carried an armament that was both powerful and unconventional. Her main battery consisted of six 28 cm (11-inch) guns mounted in three twin turrets, one forward, one aft, and one amidships — a rare layout that set her apart from other battleships of the era. Her secondary battery included eight 10.5 cm guns, supported by smaller quick-firing weapons and torpedo tubes. The ship’s armour protection was impressive for its time, with a main belt up to 400 mm thick, though her design sacrificed some seaworthiness and stability due to the weight of the armament and armour.

Powered by two triple-expansion steam engines, Brandenburg was capable of reaching a top speed of approximately 16.5 knots. Although this was respectable at the time of her commissioning, rapid naval advancements in the early 20th century would soon render her performance and design obsolete.

During her peacetime service, Brandenburg served in the German Hochseeflotte (High Seas Fleet), mainly within the 1st Squadron. She participated in annual training exercises, fleet manoeuvres, and various naval reviews, helping to solidify Germany’s growing maritime presence. One of the most notable moments of her early career came in 1900, when she was deployed as part of the German contribution to the international expedition against the Boxer Rebellion in China. Along with her sister ships, she formed part of the East Asia Squadron and conducted operations to demonstrate German naval power in the region.

By the early 1900s, however, Brandenburg was already showing her age. The rapid development of new and more advanced battleships by rival navies, especially the British Majestic-class and later HMS Dreadnought, made pre-dreadnoughts like Brandenburg increasingly outdated. While she underwent some modernization, including improved fire control and updated secondary armament, she was ultimately relegated to reserve status by 1911.

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Brandenburg was briefly reactivated for service, primarily in a defensive role. She was assigned to coastal defence in the North Sea, guarding against potential British incursions. In 1915, she was transferred to the Baltic Sea for limited operations against Russian forces but saw no major combat and was quickly withdrawn from front-line service. Due to her obsolescence and vulnerability, she was decommissioned again later that year and used as a barracks ship for the remainder of the war.

After the end of World War I, Brandenburg was officially struck from the naval register on 13 May 1919. She was sold for scrap in 1920 and dismantled in Danzig between 1920 and 1921.

Laid down: 1890
Launched: 1891
Commissioned: 1893
Displacement: ~10,000 tons (full load)
Length: ~115 meters
Armament: