Preußen class armored frigate

The "Preußen" class of armored frigates was a class of three ships built for the German Imperial Navy in the early 1870s. The lead ship, "Preußen", was laid down in 1870, and launched in 1873. "Friedrich der Große" was laid down in April 1871, a month before the end of the Franco-Prussian War, and launched in 1874. "Großer Kurfürst" was launched the following year, in 1875. The ships served in the fleet starting in 1876, when "Preußen" was commissioned.

"Großer Kurfürst" was lost in 1878 during maneuvers, when a pair of small sailing boats crossed the bows of "Großer Kurfürst" and "König Wilhelm", which caused both ships to undertake emergency maneuvers. In the confusion, "König Wilhelm" collided with "Großer Kurfürst", causing the latter to sink. Both "Preußen" and "Friedrich der Große" served in the fleet until 1891, when they were relegated to secondary duties, including serving as harbor ships, and later as coal hulks. The ships were eventually scrapped following the end of World War I, in 1919 and 1920, respectively.