SMS Habsburg
Encyclopedia
SMS Habsburg was a pre-dreadnought battleship built by the Austro-Hungarian navy in 1899. The lead ship
of the , she was launched on 9 September 1900. In 1903 and 1904, Habsburg and her sister ship Árpád conducted training exercises in the Mediterranean Sea
. In 1906 and 1907, Habsburg was transferred to the III Battleship Division. One of her superstructure decks was removed to reduce weight and to modernize the vessel in 1910.
For most of World War I
, Habsburg remained in her home port of Pula
, in present-day Croatia
except for two engagements. In 1914, she was part of the Austro-Hungarian flotilla sent to protect the escape of the German ships SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau
from the British-held Mediterranean; she advanced as far as Brindisi
before being recalled to her home port. Her sole combat engagement occurred in late May 1915, when she participated in the bombardment of the Italian port city of Ancona
. After the war, Habsburg was awarded to the British as a war prize. She was scrapped in 1921.
shipyard in Trieste
. Following a year and a half of construction, she was launched on 9 September 1900. After the completion of final fitting-out work, Habsburg was commissioned into the Austro-Hungarian fleet on 31 December 1902.
Like all ships of her class, Habsburg was 113.11 m (371 ft) long at the waterline and was 114.55 m (375 ft 10 in) in overall length. She had a beam
of 19.8 m (65 ft) and a draft
of 7.5 m (24 ft 6 in). The ship displaced 8,364 metric tons (8,232 long ton
s). Habsburg had a crew of 638 officers and enlisted men.
The Habsburg was powered by 2-shaft, 4-cylinder vertical triple expansion engines, which were supplied with steam by 16 Belleville boiler
s. Habsburgs power output was rated at 15,063 indicated horsepower (ihp), which produced a top speed of 19.62 knots (10.7 m/s).
The ship's hull was constructed from longitudinal and transverse steel frames, over which the outer hull plates were rivet
ed into place. The hull incorporated a double bottom
that ran for 63 percent of the ship's length. A series of watertight bulkheads also extended from the keel
to the gun deck. There were a total of 174 watertight compartments in the ship. Habsburg had a metacentric height
of between 0.82 m (2.7 ft) and 1.02 m (3.3 ft). Bilge keel
s mounted on either side of the hull reduced rolling. She had a flush main deck that was planked with wood; the upper decks were covered with linoleum
or corticine.
Habsburg had three 24 cm (9.4 in) L/40 guns, two mounted in a twin turret
forward and one mounted in a single turret aft of the main superstructure. The C 97 guns were manufactured by Krupp
in Germany. The main guns fired at a rate
of between three to four 215 kg (474 lb) armor-piercing
(AP) shells per minute. Her secondary armament consisted of twelve 15 cm (5.9 inch) SK L/40 guns in casemate
s. These guns could fire at 4–5 shells per minute. Habsburg was built with face-hardened
chrome-nickel steel. The main armored belt
was 220 mm (8.7 in) in the central portion of the ship, where the ammunition magazines, machinery spaces, and other critical areas were located. The belt tapered slightly to 180 mm (7.1 in) on either end of the central section.
In 1910 Habsburg was extensively modernized and lightened: one of her superstructure decks removed to reduce weight. In 1911, her sister ship, Árpád underwent the same renovations. Following these renovations, Habsburg and her sister ships were converted to coastal defense vessels.
of the III Battleship Division of the Austro-Hungarian navy, under the command of Captain
Miklós Horthy
. The battleship, along with her sister ships and the rest of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, were mobilized to support the flight of SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau
from 28 July to 10 August 1914. The two German battlecruisers were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and were attempting to break out of the strait of Messina
, which was surrounded by British troops and vessels, and make their way to Turkey. After the Germans successfully escaped the strait, the Austro-Hungarian Navy was recalled. The fleet had advanced as far south as Brindisi
in southeastern Italy.
Following the flight of SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau, Habsburg was transferred to the IV Division along with her sisters when the first new s came into service in 1912. After Italy
entered World War I
on the side of France
and Great Britain
, the Austro-Hungarian navy bombarded several Italian port cities along the Adriatic coast. Habsburg took part in the bombardment of Ancona
on 23 May 1915. During the attack on the Italian port city, Habsburg bombarded the town's train station, the St. Stefano military camp and Ancona coastal batteries. The bombardment of Ancona was Habsburgs only combat operation.
Following the bombardment, Habsburg and her sister ships traveled back to their port city of Pula. Due to a shortage of coal, they remained there for the remainder of the war. For the latter half of the war, Habsburg was decommissioned and re-purposed as a harbor defense vessel. Her crew was transferred to the new U-boat
s and aircraft. In 1918, she was re-commissioned as a training ship for the Austrian Naval Academy. Following the war, the Habsburg, was awarded to Great Britain as a war prize. She was instead sold to Italy and broken up for scrap in 1921.
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of the , she was launched on 9 September 1900. In 1903 and 1904, Habsburg and her sister ship Árpád conducted training exercises in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. In 1906 and 1907, Habsburg was transferred to the III Battleship Division. One of her superstructure decks was removed to reduce weight and to modernize the vessel in 1910.
For most of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Habsburg remained in her home port of Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
, in present-day Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
except for two engagements. In 1914, she was part of the Austro-Hungarian flotilla sent to protect the escape of the German ships SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau
Pursuit of Goeben and Breslau
The pursuit of Goeben and Breslau was a naval action that occurred in the Mediterranean Sea at the outbreak of the First World War when elements of the British Mediterranean Fleet attempted to intercept the German Mittelmeerdivision comprising the battlecruiser and the light cruiser...
from the British-held Mediterranean; she advanced as far as Brindisi
Brindisi
Brindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city...
before being recalled to her home port. Her sole combat engagement occurred in late May 1915, when she participated in the bombardment of the Italian port city of Ancona
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
. After the war, Habsburg was awarded to the British as a war prize. She was scrapped in 1921.
Construction and layout
Habsburg was the first of three battleships of her class. Her hull was laid down on 13 March 1899 at the Stabilimento Tecnico TriestinoStabilimento Tecnico Triestino
Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino was a private shipbuilding company based in Trieste from the mid-19th to early 20th century, and the most important naval shipbuilding firm of the Austro-Hungarian Empire....
shipyard in Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
. Following a year and a half of construction, she was launched on 9 September 1900. After the completion of final fitting-out work, Habsburg was commissioned into the Austro-Hungarian fleet on 31 December 1902.
Like all ships of her class, Habsburg was 113.11 m (371 ft) long at the waterline and was 114.55 m (375 ft 10 in) in overall length. She had a beam
Beam (nautical)
The beam of a ship is its width at the widest point. Generally speaking, the wider the beam of a ship , the more initial stability it has, at expense of reserve stability in the event of a capsize, where more energy is required to right the vessel from its inverted position...
of 19.8 m (65 ft) and a draft
Draft (hull)
The draft of a ship's hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull , with the thickness of the hull included; in the case of not being included the draft outline would be obtained...
of 7.5 m (24 ft 6 in). The ship displaced 8,364 metric tons (8,232 long ton
Long ton
Long ton is the name for the unit called the "ton" in the avoirdupois or Imperial system of measurements, as used in the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries. It has been mostly replaced by the tonne, and in the United States by the short ton...
s). Habsburg had a crew of 638 officers and enlisted men.
The Habsburg was powered by 2-shaft, 4-cylinder vertical triple expansion engines, which were supplied with steam by 16 Belleville boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
s. Habsburgs power output was rated at 15,063 indicated horsepower (ihp), which produced a top speed of 19.62 knots (10.7 m/s).
The ship's hull was constructed from longitudinal and transverse steel frames, over which the outer hull plates were rivet
Rivet
A rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is called the buck-tail. On installation the rivet is placed in a punched or pre-drilled hole, and the tail is upset, or bucked A rivet...
ed into place. The hull incorporated a double bottom
Double bottom
A double bottom is a ship hull design and construction method where the bottom of the ship has two complete layers of watertight hull surface: one outer layer forming the normal hull of the ship, and a second inner hull which is somewhat higher in the ship, perhaps a few feet, which forms a...
that ran for 63 percent of the ship's length. A series of watertight bulkheads also extended from the keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
to the gun deck. There were a total of 174 watertight compartments in the ship. Habsburg had a metacentric height
Metacentric height
The metacentric height is a measurement of the static stability of a floating body. It is calculated as the distance between the centre of gravity of a ship and its metacentre . A larger metacentric height implies greater stability against overturning...
of between 0.82 m (2.7 ft) and 1.02 m (3.3 ft). Bilge keel
Bilge keel
A bilge keel is used to reduce the hull's tendency to roll. Bilge keels are employed in pairs . A ship may have more than one bilge keel per side, but this is rare. Bilge keels increase hydrodynamic resistance to rolling, making the ship roll less...
s mounted on either side of the hull reduced rolling. She had a flush main deck that was planked with wood; the upper decks were covered with linoleum
Linoleum
Linoleum is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil , pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.The finest linoleum floors,...
or corticine.
Habsburg had three 24 cm (9.4 in) L/40 guns, two mounted in a twin turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
forward and one mounted in a single turret aft of the main superstructure. The C 97 guns were manufactured by Krupp
Krupp
The Krupp family , a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, have become famous for their steel production and for their manufacture of ammunition and armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th...
in Germany. The main guns fired at a rate
Rate of fire
Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific weapon can fire or launch its projectiles. It is usually measured in rounds per minute , or per second .-Overview:...
of between three to four 215 kg (474 lb) armor-piercing
Armor-piercing shot and shell
An armor-piercing shell is a type of ammunition designed to penetrate armor. From the 1860s to 1950s, a major application of armor-piercing projectiles was to defeat the thick armor carried on many warships. From the 1920s onwards, armor-piercing weapons were required for anti-tank missions...
(AP) shells per minute. Her secondary armament consisted of twelve 15 cm (5.9 inch) SK L/40 guns in casemate
Casemate
A casemate, sometimes rendered casement, is a fortified gun emplacement or armored structure from which guns are fired. originally a vaulted chamber in a fortress.-Origin of the term:...
s. These guns could fire at 4–5 shells per minute. Habsburg was built with face-hardened
Case hardening
Case hardening or surface hardening is the process of hardening the surface of a metal, often a low carbon steel, by infusing elements into the material's surface, forming a thin layer of a harder alloy...
chrome-nickel steel. The main armored belt
Belt armor
Belt armor is a layer of heavy metal armor plated on to or within outer hulls of warships, typically on battleships, battlecruisers and cruisers, and on aircraft carriers converted from those types of ships....
was 220 mm (8.7 in) in the central portion of the ship, where the ammunition magazines, machinery spaces, and other critical areas were located. The belt tapered slightly to 180 mm (7.1 in) on either end of the central section.
Peacetime
Habsburg and her sister, , took part in their first fleet maneuvers in mid-1903. By the summer of 1904, a third ship, Babenberg, was commissioned and participated in successive fleet drills. During the 1904 training exercises, the three Habsburg-class battleships engaged the three s in a simulated war game. The maneuvers also marked the first time the Austro-Hungarian navy had two squadrons of modern battleships. Following these maneuvers, the Habsburg-class ships were formed into the I Battleship Division. With her sisters, Habsburg was also active in the Mediterranean Sea. Habsburg underwent a training cruise with the three Monarch-class battleships in January 1903. Árpád joined the training cruise in 1904. With the commissioning of the s in 1906 and 1907, the three Habsburg-class ships were transferred to the II Division and the three Monarchs formed the III Division.In 1910 Habsburg was extensively modernized and lightened: one of her superstructure decks removed to reduce weight. In 1911, her sister ship, Árpád underwent the same renovations. Following these renovations, Habsburg and her sister ships were converted to coastal defense vessels.
World War I
In late July and August 1914, Habsburg served as the flagshipFlagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of the III Battleship Division of the Austro-Hungarian navy, under the command of Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
Miklós Horthy
Miklós Horthy
Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya was the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary during the interwar years and throughout most of World War II, serving from 1 March 1920 to 15 October 1944. Horthy was styled "His Serene Highness the Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary" .Admiral Horthy was an officer of the...
. The battleship, along with her sister ships and the rest of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, were mobilized to support the flight of SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau
Pursuit of Goeben and Breslau
The pursuit of Goeben and Breslau was a naval action that occurred in the Mediterranean Sea at the outbreak of the First World War when elements of the British Mediterranean Fleet attempted to intercept the German Mittelmeerdivision comprising the battlecruiser and the light cruiser...
from 28 July to 10 August 1914. The two German battlecruisers were stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and were attempting to break out of the strait of Messina
Strait of Messina
The Strait of Messina is the narrow passage between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern tip of Calabria in the south of Italy. It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Ionian Sea, within the central Mediterranean...
, which was surrounded by British troops and vessels, and make their way to Turkey. After the Germans successfully escaped the strait, the Austro-Hungarian Navy was recalled. The fleet had advanced as far south as Brindisi
Brindisi
Brindisi is a city in the Apulia region of Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.Historically, the city has played an important role in commerce and culture, due to its position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city...
in southeastern Italy.
Following the flight of SMS Goeben and SMS Breslau, Habsburg was transferred to the IV Division along with her sisters when the first new s came into service in 1912. After Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
on the side of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Great Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Austro-Hungarian navy bombarded several Italian port cities along the Adriatic coast. Habsburg took part in the bombardment of Ancona
Bombardment of Ancona
The Bombardment of Ancona was a naval engagement of the First World War between the navies of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Forces of the Austro-Hungarian Navy attacked and bombarded military and civilian targets all across Ancona in central Italy and several other nearby islands and...
on 23 May 1915. During the attack on the Italian port city, Habsburg bombarded the town's train station, the St. Stefano military camp and Ancona coastal batteries. The bombardment of Ancona was Habsburgs only combat operation.
Following the bombardment, Habsburg and her sister ships traveled back to their port city of Pula. Due to a shortage of coal, they remained there for the remainder of the war. For the latter half of the war, Habsburg was decommissioned and re-purposed as a harbor defense vessel. Her crew was transferred to the new U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
s and aircraft. In 1918, she was re-commissioned as a training ship for the Austrian Naval Academy. Following the war, the Habsburg, was awarded to Great Britain as a war prize. She was instead sold to Italy and broken up for scrap in 1921.