Schwaben

The Wittelsbach class formed part of the major German fleet-building program begun in the final years of the 19th century. Similar in armament and armor protection to the preceding Kaiser Friedrich III class, these ships and their immediate successors formed the core of the German battle fleet until the arrival of the Nassau-class dreadnoughts in 1909.

Although highly maneuverable, the ships were already outdated at the outbreak of World War I and saw active service only during its early years. All five remained in fleet service until 1916. Schwaben served primarily as an artillery training ship until Wettin assumed that role in 1911 and retained it until 1914. Wittelsbach and Schwaben later served as fleet tenders and were converted in 1919 into depot ships capable of carrying twelve small fast attack boats. Both were broken up after only two years in this role.