Built under yard No 23 as an armoured cruiser by the Kaiserliche Werft at Kiel for the Imperial German Navy.
01 April 1896 keel laid down.
25 September 1997 launched as the S.M.S. FÜRST BISMARCK, named after Fürst Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898).
Displacement 10.690 ton standard, 11.461 full load. Dim. 127 x 20 x 8.4m. (draught).
Powered by three vertical 4-cyl. expansion steam engines, manufactured by A.G. Germania, Berlin-Tegel, 13.600 hp. three shafts, speed 18 knots.
Armament 4 – 24cmQF, 12 – 15cmQF, 10 -8.8cmQF guns, six 45cm torpedo tubes.
Crew 594/621.
01 April 1900 commissioned. Building cost 18.945.000 Marks.
Upon commissioning was she assigned to the German East Asia Squadron in Tsingtao.
30 June 1900 she left Kiel and sailed for Tsingtao during this passage she visited the Chagos Archipelago together with the MARIE.
August 1900 she arrived at Tsingtao.
1903 She became the squadron flagship of Admiral Curt von Prittwitz und Gaffron till 1909.
April 1909 when the SMS SCHARNHORST arrived in Tsingtao she replaced the FÜRST BISMARCK, and due to her poor condition was she ordered back to Germany.
26 June 1909 she arrived at Kiel and decommissioned.
Refitted on the Keiserliche Werft in Kiel.
From February 1915 in service as a torpedo target vessel for U-boats, but due to her condition was she unsuitable for this service.
March 1915 as stationary accommodation and engineering training ship in Kiel.
1917 Again in use for a short time as a training ship for U-boat and airship officers.
17 June 1919 stricken from the Navy List.
1920 At Rendsburg-Audorf scrapped.
British Indian Ocean Territory 2009 54p sg?, scott?
Source http://www.deutsche-schutzgebiete.de http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_F%C3%B ... rck_(1896)