Editing Tegetthoff-class battleship (section)

== Design ==
=== General characteristics ===
[[File:Viribus Unitis class battleship main weapon.svg|thumb|left|454x454px|Diagram of ''Tegetthoff''{{'}}s main armament|alt=A diagram showing the location of the main guns on a Tegetthoff-class battleship. There are 12 guns in total divided into four turrets, with two apiece located near the bow and stern of the ship.]]
Designed by naval architect Siegfried Popper,{{sfn|Vego|1996|p=70}}{{sfn|Sondhaus|1994|p=194}} the ''Tegetthoff''-class ships had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|152|m|ftin|sp=us}}, with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|27.90|m|ftin|sp=us}} and a [[draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|8.70|m|ftin|sp=us}} at deep load. They were designed to [[Displacement (ship)|displace]] {{convert|20000|t|LT|0|sp=us}} at load, but at full combat load they displaced {{convert|21689|t|LT|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}} The propellers for the class is where differences in design began to appear between the three ships constructed in Trieste, and ''Szent István'' which was constructed in Fiume. The [[skeg]] for each propeller shaft on ''Szent István'' was a solid, blade-like fitting, unlike the strut-type skegs used in the other three ''Tegetthoff''s.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=137}} The hull was built with a [[double bottom]], {{convert|1.22|m|ft|0|sp=us}} deep, with a reinforced inner bottom that consisted of two layers of {{convert|25|mm|adj=on|0|sp=us}} plates. This design was intended by Popper to protect the battleships from [[naval mine]]s, although it ultimately failed both ''Szent István'' and ''Viribus Unitis'', the former being sunk by a [[torpedo]] in June 1918 and the latter by a mine in November of that same year.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|pp=133–137}} The ''Tegetthoff'' class also featured two {{convert|2.74|m|ft|0|adj=on|sp=us}} [[Barr and Stroud]] [[optical rangefinder]] posts on both the starboard and port sides for the secondary guns of each ship. These rangefinders were equipped with an armored cupola, which housed an {{convert|8|mm|in|adj=on|sp=us}} [[Schwarzlose machine gun|Schwarzlose M.07/12]] anti-aircraft machine gun.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}}

''Szent István'' had a few external variations from the other ships of her class. These differences included a platform built around the fore [[Funnel (ship)|funnel]] which extended from the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] of the ship to the after funnel upon which several searchlights were installed. A further distinguishing feature was the modified ventilator trunk in front of the mainmast. The rangefinders on ''Szent István'' had an armored stand which turned 90° to the right of those on the other three ships. This was done in order to present a smaller target for the ship's broadside.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}} Perhaps the most-notable distinguishing characteristic of ''Szent István'' was that she was the only ship of her class not to be fitted with [[torpedo nets]].{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}} The other three ships of the ''Tegetthoff'' class had their torpedo nets removed in June 1917.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=113}} The ''Tegetthoff''-class ships were manned by a crew of 1,087 officers and men.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}}

=== Propulsion ===
[[File:Tegetthoff turbines.png|thumb|right|One of ''Tegetthoff''{{'}}s turbines|alt=]]
Differences between the three battleships constructed in Trieste and the one in Fiume were most apparent when examining each ship's propulsion. ''Szent István'' differed from the other ships in that she possessed two propellers and two larger [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] [[steam turbine]]s, while the propulsion of ''Viribus Unitis'', ''Tegetthoff'', and ''Prinz Eugen'' each had four smaller Siemens turbines and four propellers. These turbines were housed in a separate engine-room and with the exception of SMS ''Szent István'', they were powered by twelve [[Yarrow boiler]]s. The more modern new type of [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers of ''Szent István'' were 48 tonnes heavier than the older type Yarrow boilers installed on the sister ships; however, they were more efficient than the old boilers. The new Babcock & Wilcox boilers had a huge advantage of being able to maintain top speed for up to eight hours, compared with only two hours on their sister ships.<ref>[https://epa.oszk.hu/00000/00018/00012/05kraml1.htm Mihály Krámli: Az SMS Szent István Link]</ref> They were designed to produce a total of {{convert|26400|or|27000|shp|lk=in|0|sp=us}}, which was theoretically enough to attain a maximum designed speed of {{convert|20|kn|sp=us}}. While it was reported during the speed trials of ''Tegetthoff'' that she attained a top speed of {{convert|19.75|kn|sp=us}},{{sfn|Earle|1913|p=1322}} the actual top speed of the ''Tegetthoff''-class ships is unknown as the [[sea trial]] data and records for each ship were lost after the war.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}} Each ship also carried {{convert|1844.5|t|LT|sp=us}} of coal, and an additional {{convert|267.2|t|LT|sp=us|0}} of [[fuel oil]] that was to be sprayed on the coal to increase its burn rate.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}} At full capacity, the ''Tegetthoff''s could steam for {{convert|4200|nmi|lk=in|sp=us}} at a speed of {{convert|10|kn|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Sieche|1985|p=334}}

=== Armament ===
[[File:SMS_Prinz_Eugen_guns.png|thumb|left|300px|The guns of ''Prinz Eugen'' shortly after World War I|alt=A view of a large battleship's forward guns. There are two turrets of three guns each. The forward turret is turned to port, while the aft turret is facing straight ahead.]]

Constructed at the Škoda Works in [[Plzeň]], [[Kingdom of Bohemia|Bohemia]], the ''Tegetthoff''s{{'}} main battery consisted of twelve 45-[[caliber (artillery)|calibre]] [[Škoda 30.5 cm /45 K10|{{convert|30.5|cm|in|0|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda K10 guns]] mounted in four triple turrets. Two turrets each were mounted forward and aft of the main [[superstructure]] in a [[superfire|superfiring]] pair. The implementation of triple turrets came about for two reasons: the need to ensure the ships had a more compact design and smaller displacement to conform to Austro-Hungarian naval doctrine and budget constraints, and to counter the implementation of triple turrets on the Italian ''Dante Alighieri''.{{sfn|Noppen|2012|p=22}} While the Italians had initiated construction on ''Dante Alighieri'' before work had begun on the ''Tegetthoff'' class, the shipyards in Trieste were able to construct ''Viribus Unitis'' faster than their Italian counterparts and she was commissioned in December 1912, just a month before ''Dante Alighieri''. This made the ''Tegetthoff''s the first dreadnoughts in the world with triple turrets, in which the Austro-Hungarian Navy took great pride.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=143}}

Having three guns on each turret rather than two made it possible to deliver a heavier broadside than other dreadnoughts of a similar size and meant a shorter [[Armored citadel|citadel]] and better weight distribution. The choice of implementing triple turrets also assisted in the construction speed of the first two ships, as the guns were available at short notice because Škoda had already been working on a triple-turret design ordered by the Imperial Russian Navy when their initial order for the ''Tegetthoff'' class arrived.{{sfn|Preston|2002|p=62}}

The ''Tegetthoff''s carried a secondary armament which consisted of a dozen 50-calibre [[Škoda 15 cm K10|{{convert|15|cm|in|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda K10 guns]] mounted in [[casemate]]s [[amidships]]. Additionally, eighteen 50-calibre [[Škoda 7 cm K10|{{convert|7|cm|in|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda K10 guns]] were mounted on open [[pivot gun|pivot mounts]] on the upper deck, above the casemates. Three more {{convert|7|cm|in|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda K10 guns were mounted on the upper turrets for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] duties. Two additional {{convert|8|mm|in|adj=on|sp=us}} Schwarzlose M.07/12 anti-aircraft machine guns were mounted atop the armoured cupolas of each ship's rangefinders. Each ship had two [[Škoda 7 cm guns|{{convert|7|cm|in|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda G. L/18]] landing guns, and two [[QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss|{{convert|47|mm|in|1|adj=on|sp=us}} Škoda SFK L/44 S]] guns for use against small and fast vessels such as torpedo boats and submarines. Each ship was also fitted with four {{convert|533|mm|adj=on|sp=us|0}} submerged [[torpedo tube]]s, one each in the bow, the stern, and each side. Each ship usually carried twelve torpedoes.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=133}}

=== Armor ===
The ''Tegetthoff''-class ships were protected at the waterline with an [[Belt armor|armor belt]] which measured {{convert|280|mm|0|sp=us}} thick in the central citadel, where the most important parts of the ship were located. This armor belt was located between the midpoints of the fore and aft [[barbette]]s, and thinned to {{convert|150|mm|in|sp=us}} further towards the bow and stern, but did not reach either. It was continued to the bow by a small patch of {{convert|110|-|130|mm|0|adj=on|sp=us}} armor. The upper armor belt had a maximum thickness of {{convert|180|mm|in|sp=us}}, but it thinned to {{convert|110|mm|in|sp=us}} from the forward barbette all the way to the bow. The casemate armor was also {{convert|180|mm|in|sp=us}} thick.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|pp=132–133}}

The sides of the main gun turrets, barbettes, and main conning tower were protected by {{convert|280|mm|0|sp=us}} of armor, except for the turret and conning tower roofs which were {{convert|60|to|150|mm|0|sp=us}} thick. The thickness of the decks ranged from {{convert|30|to|48|mm|0|sp=us}} in two layers. The underwater protection system consisted of the extension of the double-bottom upwards to the lower edge of the waterline armor belt, with a thin {{convert|10|mm|1|adj=on|sp=us}} plate acting as the outermost bulkhead. It was backed by a [[torpedo bulkhead]] that consisted of two {{convert|25|mm|0|adj=on|sp=us}} plates.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|pp=132–133}} The total thickness of this system was only {{convert|1.60|m|ftin|0|sp=us}}, which made it incapable of containing a torpedo warhead detonation or mine explosion without rupturing.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=135}}

In the spring of 1909, Montecuccoli sent an officer from the Naval Section of the War Ministry to Berlin in order to obtain input from [[Alfred von Tirpitz]] on the design of the ''Tegetthoff'' class. The Imperial German Navy had conducted gunnery and torpedo tests and concluded that, "The angle between [the] armored deck and belt armor should be as flat as possible", and that "The armored torpedo bulkhead should be angled inwards, the second longitudinal bulkhead outwards. The distance of the torpedo bulkhead from the outer plating should be raised from 2.5 to 4 meters."{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=118}} While Popper adopted several of Tirpitz's suggestions regarding the external layout of the belt armor for the ''Tegetthoff'' class, the internal modifications put forward by the Imperial German Navy were not implemented.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=119}}

===Assessment===
[[File:Viribus Unitis Line Drawing.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A line drawing of ''Viribus Unitis'', lead ship of the ''Tegetthoff'' class|alt=Schematics for this type of battleship; the ships mount four gun turrets, two forward and two aft]]
Although smaller than the contemporary dreadnought and super-dreadnought battleships of the German ''Kaiserliche Marine'' and the British Royal Navy, the ''Tegetthoff'' class was the first of its type in the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] and [[Adriatic Sea]]s.{{sfn|Sokol|1968|p=69}} The ''Tegetthoff''s were described by former Austro-Hungarian naval officer Anthony Sokol in his book ''The Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Navy'' as "excellent ships", and were acknowledged as some of the most powerful of their type in the region. Their design signaled a change in Austro-Hungarian naval policy, as the ships were capable of far more than coastal defense or patrolling the Adriatic Sea.{{sfn|Sokol|1968|p=69}} The ''Tegetthoff''s were so well received that when the time came to [[Ersatz Monarch-class battleship|plan for the replacement]] of Austria-Hungary's old {{sclass|Monarch|coastal defense ship}}s, the navy elected to simply take the layout of the ''Tegetthoff'' class and enlarge them to have a slightly greater tonnage and larger main guns.{{sfn|Greger|1976|pp=25–26}}

Despite these praises, criticisms of the ''Tegetthoff''-class design exist. Friedrich Prasky refers to the ships in his article ''The Viribus Unitis class'' "The ships were too small and had a very low range of stability."{{sfn|Prasky|1978|p=105}} Erwin Sieche writes in his article ''S.M.S. Szent István: Hungaria's Only and Ill-Fated Dreadnought'' "There had been much quibbling about the bad design of the ''Tegetthoff'' class and the bad workmanship and riveting of the ''Szent István'' in particular."{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=137}} Poor riveting has been blamed for the sinking of ''Szent István'',{{sfn|Scheltema de Heere|1973|pp=82–83}}{{sfn|Prasky|1978|p=105}} and Karl Mohl, chief [[non-commissioned officer]] of ''Szent István''{{'}}s machinery, reported that the rivets from the ships snapped loose during the battleship's sinking.{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=137}} Furthermore, reports emerged following the ship's gunnery trials of rivets in the double bottom of the hull being blown out of their sockets.{{sfn|Prasky|1978|p=106}} The sinking of ''Szent István'' revealed several flaws in the design of the ships' armor. The naval commission investigating the loss of the battleship ultimately concluded: "The distance between mine armor and 15-cm-ammunition magazines is too small and a major design failure, which most probably caused the widening of the leak."{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=135}} Following ''Szent István''{{'}}s sinking, it was also discovered that her [[propeller]] shafts had such a high degree of resistance that the ship's rudder could only be laid at a maximum angle of 10° at full speed or else she would suffer from a heavy [[list (watercraft)|list]].{{sfn|Sieche|1991|p=137}}