Speed trials and commissioning politics

Seydlitz reached 28 knots on trials but normally operated closer to 26.5 knots, illustrating why the headline number needs its test conditions. German ships tended to be commissioned before trials, while British commissioning followed successful trials and acceptance that the ship worked. German vessels could be tried before they were fully stocked, producing impressive performance figures during an intense naval race. Those results helped the navy advertise capability while limiting pressure for expensive qualitative competition and budget disputes with the army. A commissioned naval crew also followed different safety criteria and could push machinery differently from a civilian trials crew. Loading and crew status therefore affect comparisons between published trial figures.