Austro-Hungarian PreDreadnoughts

Entries in bold indicate photos.

Kronprinz Erzherzog Rudolf

The first major ship designed by Director of Naval Construction Josef Kuchinka. Although well protected, the open barbette design caused her to become obsolete quickly.

Kronprinzessin Erzherzogin Stephanie

A slightly smaller version of the Kronprinz Rudolf, the Kronprinzessin Stephanie mounted one less heavy gun.

Monarch Class

Budapest
Monarch
Wien

The Monarchs were the first designs of Siegfried Popper, who replaced Kuchinka. They were the first turret ships of the Austrian Navy, but budget limitations restricted their size, and they were used for coastal defence.

Habsburg Class

Arpad
Babenberg
Habsburg

The first true seagoing battleships of the Austrian Navy. Although still too small, they were a great improvement on previous designs, but they carried too much topweight, and had to be lightened.

Erzherzog Karl Class

Erzherzog Ferdinand Max
Erzherzog Friedrich
Erzherzog Karl

The Karls were well protected and subdivided, but armament was inferior to foreign ships due to financial restrictions limiting displacement.

Radetzky Class

Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand
Radetzky
Zrinyi

The Austro Hungarian navy considered building dreadnoughts in 1905, but decided to continue with a predreadnought design with heavy secondary armament. The Radetzkys were well protected, and exceeded their design speed of 20kts.

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