SMS Kronprinz

SMS Kronprinz was a German battleship of the König-class, built for the Imperial German Navy during World War I. She was the third ship of her class, following SMS König and SMS Grosser Kurfürst, and preceding SMS Markgraf. Kronprinz, named in honor of Crown Prince Wilhelm, son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, was commissioned into the fleet in November 1914.

The ship saw extensive service during the war, primarily in the North Sea. She participated in numerous fleet operations, including the Battle of Jutland on 31 May and 1 June 1916, where she sustained significant damage but remained operational. Kronprinz also took part in Operation Albion, the invasion of the islands in the Gulf of Riga, in October 1917.

In March 1918, Kronprinz was renamed Kronprinz Wilhelm in honor of the Crown Prince. Following the armistice in November 1918, she was interned with the majority of the German High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. On 21 June 1919, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter ordered the fleet to be scuttled to prevent them from falling into the hands of the British. Kronprinz Wilhelm capsized and sank. Her wreck remains at Scapa Flow.