Speed of Deutschland Class

[David C. Clarke]

Any thoughts on the speed this class of armored ship was capable of in service? I've read that Graf Spee made over 28 knots on trials, but the ships are usually listed in as having a maximum speed of 26 knots.

Cheers,
~DCC

[USAF1986]

David,

Here are the speeds from Pocket Battleships of the Deutschland Class by Gerhard Koop and Klus-Peter Schmolke. The designed speed for all three ships was 26 knots, but they achieved the higher speeds indicated on acceptance trials while running at maximum output on all engines. This could be maintained for only brief periods of time. For instance, the Deutschland ran at maximum output for only one hour on her trials.

Deutschland (later renamed Lützow)
26-28 knots

Admiral Scheer
26-28.3 knots

Admiral Graf Spee
26-28.5 knots

Best regards,
Shawn

[Galahad]

The higher speeds on trials were also usually at a lighter load than carried in service.....less fuel, ammo and supplies. Result was a potential speed that was higher than could be achieved in service.

The Italian Navy was notorious for conducting its trials at light load......sometimes even before all equipment was mounted. The result was the phenomenonally high speeds their ships were listed as having, speeds they never approached in service operations.

[varjag]

It is noted in Brenneke's book, 'RRR', about SCHEER, that prior to her return to Germany and a makeshift cleaning of algae and barnacles done at sea - she could reach 27,5 knots - when whipping the diesels hard. But as USAF 1986 said, such extraordinary straining of the machinery is not undertaken lightly and only in emergencies.

[David C. Clarke]

It strikes me as an interesting thing, that pre-war, speed was considered a weakness of this class, but, the events of the war seem to indicate that range was a more important factor.

Bestens,
~D, the EviL

[Tony Williams]

I thought their speed was judged adequate for the task. When they came out, they could destroy anything which could catch them, and run from anything that could destroy them (except for the three RN battlecruisers Hood, Repulse and Renown, which were much bigger). Of course, the new battleships which came into service during WW2 were all at least as fast.

The choice of diesel engines was partly a weight-saving measure, but also indicated the importance of range as diesels are much more economical than steam plant. However, steam engines can be run flat-out for long periods without risk of damaging the machinery - which can't be said of diesels.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion
forum