Danish ironclad Rolf Krake

Rolf Krake
Career (Denmark)
Name:	HDMS Rolf Krake
Namesake:	Rolf Krake
Builder:	R. Napier & Sons, Glasgow
Laid down:	1862
Launched:	6 May 1863
Commissioned:	1 July 1863
Decommissioned:	29 June 1907
Fate:	Scrapped 1907
General characteristics
Type:	Turret ironclad
Displacement:	1,360 tonnes (1,340 long tons)
Length:	57 m (187 ft 0 in) (p.p.)
Beam:	11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
Draft:	3.5 m (11 ft)
Installed power:	700 ihp (520 kW)
Propulsion:	1 shaft, 1 steam engine
Sail plan:	Schooner-rigged
Speed:	8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
Range:	1,150 nmi (2,130 km; 1,320 mi) at 8 kn (15 km/h; 9.2 mph)
Complement:	141
Armament:	4 x 60-pounder 150 Cnt. Guns
Armour:	Belt: 114 mm (4.5 in) Gun turret: 114 mm (4.5 in)

Rolf Krake was a Danish ironclad named after Rolf Krake, a hero of Danish saga.

The vessel was designed by Cowper Phipps Coles, a pioneering naval architect, and she was the first warship of any navy to carry a turret of the type designed by Coles. She was the first all-iron, steam-powered vessel acquired by Denmark.

She was laid down in Glasgow in 1862, was launched on May 6, 1863, and was commissioned upon her arrival in Copenhagen, on July 1, 1863. Following her commissioning, the Rolf Krake engaged in sea trials from 18 July to 20 August 1863.

Rolf Krake's coal-fired steam engine produced 700 horsepower, which provided a maximum speed of 9½ knots, and she reached 10½ knots on trials. She had three masts for auxiliary propulsion.

She was armed with four 8in smoothbore cannon, in two turrets.

She saw service in the Second War of Schleswig.

References

• Balsved, Johnny E.. "ROLF KRAKE (1863–1907)". Danish Naval History. http://www.navalhistory.dk/English/TheShips/R/RolfKrake%281863%29.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-20. 
• Gardiner, Robert, ed (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-8317-0302-4. 
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1984). Directory of the World's Capital Ships. New York: Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0-88254-979-0. 

External links

• http://www.milhist.dk/vaaben/vands/rolf_krake/rolf_krake_uk.htm