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Ultimately the guns are the main act . The gun run on the Markgraf or the 12-inch guns of the Kronprinz wash away the trials of the long drive north , the cold , the dark and the inhospitable sea to somehow make all the work worthwhile . Like the queen on the chessboard , it was the presence of these ships that ruled
the waves when they were built . They exerted a threat from afar and required a constant response – even if that was a distant blockade . Too valuable to be lost , they were always waiting for the day : “ der tag ”. That presence is still keenly felt , even after a century in the cold dark waters of Scapa Flow .
We have all seen those fallen heavyweight boxers who have had their glory days behind them ; yet even in their autumn , there is still fight and power woven into their bodies . The wrecks of Scapa still cast the shadow of yesterday , so a swim on these wrecks is to touch the forces of war .
Above : A swim between the massive rudders on the Markgraf – pure Scapa !
König Class
VITAL STATISTICS TYPE : Battleship SHIPS IN CLASS : König , Grosser Kurfürst , Markgraf , and Kronprinz BUILT : 1911-1914 IN COMMISSION : 1914-1919 DISPLACEMENT : 28,600 tonnes fully laden LENGTH : 175m BEAM : 29m DRAFT : 9m PROPULSION : 3 shafts / 3 steam turbines ( 30,576shp ) SPEED : 21 knots RANGE : 8,000nm at 12 knots COMPLEMENT : 1,136 Sailors ARMAMENT : 10 x 12.0in guns ; 14 x 5.9in guns ; 10 x 8.8cm guns ; 5 x 50cm torpedo tubes ARMOUR BELT : 14in turrets and conning tower 12in DECK : 1.2in
Above : A recognition drawing of the German battleship König prepared by the Royal Navy ’ s Intelligence department that was distributed to the fleet in 1918 .
Left : Plan and elevation view of a ship of the König class , from Jane ’ s Fighting Ships 1919
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