Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:59:09-3:01:23

Gangut-class battleships as a Baltic deterrent

Russia's dreadnoughts were divided between seas, but the four Baltic Ganguts imposed a serious barrier to any German drive into the Gulf of Finland.

Baltic SeaBlack Sea FleetCoastal DefenceGangut Class BattleshipsImperial German NavyRussian Navy
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Question

How did Russia's dreadnought fleet compare with the Imperial German Navy?

Short answer

The comparison depends on the date and theatre. Only the four Baltic Ganguts could directly oppose Germany, where their speed and coastal support made a German advance toward St Petersburg costly.

Notes

The proposed Russian force is divided between the Baltic and the Black Sea, so its ships cannot all be counted against Germany. Only the four Ganguts are positioned to defend the Gulf of Finland and St Petersburg; the other five ships in the question belong to a separate Black Sea force. Four modern dreadnoughts would require Germany to commit a larger squadron of capable ships to force an engagement. The Ganguts could withdraw at about 24 knots if the fight went badly, while nearby coastal fortifications added another obstacle to a German advance.