SMS Bayern (1878)

SMS "Bayern" was a member of the "Sachsen" class of armored frigates of the German Imperial Navy. Her sisterships were "Sachsen", "Baden", and SMS "Württemberg". "Bayern" was built in the Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven shipyard in Kiel.

Design specifications

The ship was 97.8 meters long and had a draught of 18.3m. She was armed with six 26cm guns, two single-mounted in an open barbette forward, and the remaining four mounted amidships in a second open barbette, also on single mounts. In 1886, the ship was modified to include five torpedo tubes, of various sizes. Two 45cm tubes were mounted in the sides of the ship, two 35cm tubes located in the nose of the ship, and one 35cm tube in the tail.

"Bayern's" armor was made of wrought steel, and ranged from 203mm to 254mm on the armored citadel, and between 51mm to 64mm thick on the deck. The ship was manned by a crew which ranged from 317 to 436 officers and sailors.

ervice History

"Bayern", along with her sisterships, was operational by 1884. Between 1886 and 1889, "Bayern", along with her sisters, were converted from the original eight boilers to two 2-cylinder steam engines. Her original four stacks were removed and replaced with a single stack.