SMS Hay (1860)

SMS Hay was a gunboat of the Prussian Navy and later the Imperial German Navy. Commissioned in 1860, she was part of a class of gunboats designed for coastal defense and service in Prussian overseas territories. These gunboats were characterized by their shallow draft, enabling them to operate in coastal waters and rivers.

Hay's primary armament consisted of several medium-caliber guns, making her a versatile vessel for her time. She served in various roles during her active service, including patrolling coastal waters, providing support for naval operations, and acting as a training vessel.

Details of Hay's specific wartime service are limited, but gunboats of her class played a role in the Second Schleswig War (1864) and the Austro-Prussian War (1866). After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, Hay continued in service with the Imperial German Navy. As naval technology advanced, she eventually became obsolete and was likely decommissioned and scrapped. The specific date of her disposal is not readily available in common naval records.