The Zerstörer (German word for Destroyer) 1934-class were the first German Destroyers built since World War 1. They were based on the same design principals as the torpedo boats, as those ships showed some serious problems after completion, which was partly caused by the fast naval construction programs after 1933. They were very bad seagoing ships, like most other German vessels they took over a high amount of water during heavy seas, making their forward artillery unusable. Further they showed a structural weakness since the hull started to bend in heavy seas and were burdened with heavy vibrations produced by the engines. | The Zerstörer (German word for Destroyer) 1934-class were the first German Destroyers built since World War 1. They were based on the same design principals as the torpedo boats, as those ships showed some serious problems after completion, which was partly caused by the fast naval construction programs after 1933. They were very bad seagoing ships, like most other German vessels they took over a high amount of water during heavy seas, making their forward artillery unusable. Further they showed a structural weakness since the hull started to bend in heavy seas and were burdened with heavy vibrations produced by the engines. |