SMS Seydlitz 1916 by Randall Wilson Down by the bows, the battered Seydlitz returns to the Jade after being
heavily involved in the gun line action at Jutland.
German battle Cruiser built by Blohn and Voss in Hamburg and launched on the
30th March 1912 and completed on the 17th August 1913.
A magnificent battlecruiser the
Seydlitz became the flag ship to the High Seas Fleet Scouting Force. The
Seydlitz also took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank and Battle of Jutland. Battle
of Dogger bank, 24th January 1915. Saw Seydlitz badly damaged by three 13.5 inch
shells one coming from HMS Lion which caused major damage by exploding as it
went through the stern turret which caused a fire that ignited 62 complete
charges. The Seydlitz was mined on the 24th April. Battle of
Jutland 831st May 1916. The Seydlitz was torpedoed either by HMS Petard or
HMS Turbulent. and by eighth 15 inch shells and six 13.5 inch shells and eight
12 - inch shells. The worst damage came from five 15 inch shells which
caused severe flooding. which nearly caused her to sink. The Seydlitz
received more hits than any other Battleship or Battle cruiser in the Battle of
Jutland.
On the 24th of November 1918, after the armistice she was interned at
Scapa Flow where her crew on the 21st June 1919 scuttled her. she was
raised on the 2nd of November 1928 and scrapped at Rosyth
BATTLE CRUISER DETAILS. DISPLACEMENT. 24,594 to 26,180 tons SPEED
27 to 28 knots.
Armament. Ten 11-inch Guns in pairs in five turrets, Twelve 5.9
-inch guns in single turrets twelve 3.4 -inch guns in single turrets. four
20-inch torpedo tubes all submerged. Ships compliment 1108 (but at Jutland a crew of 1425 were on board)
The Kaiser's Ship by Randall Wilson Emerging from a smokescreen SMS Baden surges ahead of her sister ship
SMS Bayern to resume battle speed in these fleet manoeuvres in the Baltic,
during 1917.
