SMS Kaiser Friedrich III
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SMS Kaiser Friedrich III was the lead ship of the Kaiser Friedrich III class of pre-dreadnought battleships. She was laid down at the Kaiserliche Werft in Wilhelmshaven in March 1895, launched in July 1896, and finished in October 1898. The ship was armed with a main battery of four 24-centimeter (9.4 in) guns in two twin gun turrets supported by a secondary battery of eighteen 15 cm (5.9 in) guns.
Lithograph of SMS Kaiser Friedrich III in 1900
Kaiser Friedrich III photographed in 1900
Prince Heinrich, who served as I Squadron commander aboard Kaiser Friedrich III
SMS Kaiser Wilhelm II
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SMS Kaiser Wilhelm II was the second ship of the Kaiser Friedrich III class of pre-dreadnought battleships. She was built at the Imperial Dockyard in Wilhelmshaven and launched on 14 September 1897. The ship was commissioned into the fleet as its flagship on 13 February 1900. Kaiser Wilhelm II was armed with a main battery of four 24-centimeter (9.45 in) guns in two twin turrets. She was powered by triple expansion engines that delivered a top speed of 17.5 knots.
Lithograph of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1900
Admiral Hans von Koester, who would serve as the fleet commander aboard Kaiser Wilhelm II for the majority of her active career
Kaiser Wilhelm II steaming at high speed
Kaiser Wilhelm in 1910 after the completion of her reconstruction