Helgoland class battleship

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The Helgoland class was a class of German Dreadnought battleships.

Laid down in 1909-10, was the second type of German Dreadnoughts as a response to the introduction of the 'all-big-gun' British HMS Dreadnought. Each ship carried 12 305 mm L/50 guns in an unusual 'hexagonal' configuration - with one turret fore and aft, and two on each flank of the ship. Seconday armament consisted of 14 150 mm L/45 guns, along with 2 88 mm L/45 AA-guns. While their armour was slightly superior to that of Dreadnought the Helgolands adopted older triple-expansion steam engines rather than steam turbines, limiting their speed to 20.5 knots.

Four ships of the class were built, all seeing action at the Battle of Jutland.

SMS Helgoland - Built Howaldt, Kiel, laid down 24 November 1908, launched 23 August 1911, commissioned 20 December 1911
SMS Ostfriesland - Built Wilhelmshaven, laid down 19 October 1908, launched 1 August 1911, commissioned 15 September 1911
SMS Thüringen - Built Weser, Bremen, laid down 2 November 1908, launched 1 July 1911, commissioned 10 September 1911
SMS Oldenburg - Built Schichau, Danzig, laid down 1 March 1909, launched 1 May 1912, commissioned 1 July 1912