SMS Helgoland (1867)

SMS Helgoland was a broadside ironclad corvette of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. Built in England by Samuda Brothers, she was launched in 1867 and completed in 1868. Helgoland was named after the island of Heligoland in the North Sea, a strategic location due to its naval importance.

Helgoland's design incorporated a mix of iron and steel armor. She was armed with a battery of rifled muzzle-loading guns. The ship served primarily as a training vessel and a demonstration of Austro-Hungarian naval power. She participated in fleet exercises and represented Austria-Hungary at various international naval events.

Throughout her career, Helgoland underwent several modernizations and refits, including upgrades to her armament and machinery. Despite these improvements, by the late 19th century, she was considered outdated compared to newer warships. She continued to serve in a secondary role, eventually being decommissioned and scrapped. The Helgoland represented a transitional phase in naval technology, bridging the gap between wooden warships and more modern steel-hulled ironclads.