SMS Schleswig - Holstein
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SMS
Schleswig-Holstein was built at Germaniawerft in Kiel. and
launched in December 1906. Emperor Wilhelm II himself and
other prominent guests were present at the official
launch. She was used for training the coming years and had
several trips to Norway. At the outbreak of the Great War
in 1914, she did service as guard ship and later
participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1915. After the
war Germany was allowed to keep a few of their ships and
Schleswig avoided therefore ending up interned in
Scapa Flow, or being given away as a prize of war. From
1935 she was used as a school and cadet ship and sailed
several times to the Caribbean and South America. Right
before the outbreak of the German invasion of Poland she
was sent on an "official visit " to Danzig and laid at
anchor outside Westerplatte. At 04:47 in the morning
1.September 1939 she opened fire against the Polish
positions and officially started the war. Until 1944 she
again saw service as a school ship, but was designated to
be refitted as an armed escort. But airplanes from RAF
damaged her in December 1944 so the plan was never
completed. After the war the wreck was towed to Talinn and
used as a target ship for the Soviet navy until
1966. There is little left that can remind you of a
once proud warship. The remains of her lies scattered over
a large area northeast of the island Osmussar on a depth
of 10 to 15 meter.
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| 59°20'36 N 23°32'38 E  Picture: SMS Schleswig-Holstein opens fire on Westerplatte 1. September 1939 Courtesy of Navypedia, Public domain Last updated: May 2019 |
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