Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blitz | 1 | Norddeutsche SB, Kiel | 1881 | 26.8.1882 | 28.3.1883 | tender 1903, special service vessel 1911 - 1914, tender 1915 - 1919, discarded 3.1921 | |
Pfeil | 6 | Wilhelmshaven KW | 1881 | 16.9.1882 | 25.11.1884 | tender, fishery protection 1894 - 1899, tender 1904, special service vessel 1911, discarded 2.1922 |
Displacement normal, t | 1381 |
---|---|
Displacement full, t | 1486 |
Length, m | 78.4 oa 75.3 wl |
Breadth, m | 9.90 |
Draught, m | 4.07 mean 4.40 deep load |
No of shafts | 2 |
Machinery | Blitz: 2 HC, 8 locomotive boilers Pfeil: 2 HC, 8 cylindrical boilers |
Power, h. p. | 2700 |
Max speed, kts | 15.6 |
Fuel, t | coal 220 |
Endurance, nm(kts) | 2440(9) |
Armament | 1 x 1 - 125/21 RK L/23 C/78, 4 x 1 - 87/22 RK L/24 C/82, 4 x 5 - 37/27 RV L/30, 1 - 350 TT (bow, 3) |
Complement | 134 |
The design of these vessels dates from 1879, and they were the first true torpedo cruisers, having a respectable gun armament (unlike the Zieten), and so were the ancestors of the light cruiser. Their main purpose in war would be scouting. They were built of steel, and had ram bows. Both were schooner-rigged till early 1890s.
1890, Blitz: was reboilered with 8 cylindrical boilers; new armament consisted of 6 x 1 - 88/27 SK L/30 C/89, 2 x 1 - 350 TT, 1 - 350 TT (bow, 8 torpedoes totally)
1890, Pfeil: new armament consisted of 6 x 1 - 88/27 SK L/30 C/89, 2 x 1 - 350 TT, 1 - 350 TT (bow, 8 torpedoes totally)
Blitz was used as a flotilla leader for TBs until 1900; Pfeil was used briefly for fishery protection. Both continued in service as tenders, with their TTs long gone, until the end of the 1914-18.