SMS Kronprinz (1867)

SMS Kronprinz was an armored frigate of the Prussian Navy, later the Imperial German Navy. She was the second ship of the König Wilhelm class, built in Britain, and named for Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, later Kaiser Friedrich III.

Kronprinz was ordered from Samuda Brothers in London in 1866 and launched in 1867. She was commissioned into the Prussian Navy in 1869. She was armed with a main battery of sixteen 21 cm (8.3 in) guns. Later, she was re-armed with four 26 cm (10 in) guns and served as a guard ship.

During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870–1871, Kronprinz participated in operations against the French blockade, though she saw no significant combat. She was part of the German squadron that attempted to break the French blockade of Wilhelmshaven, but the Germans were outnumbered and quickly returned to port.

Later in her career, Kronprinz was used primarily for training duties. She served with the fleet on training exercises and maneuvers during the 1880s and 1890s.

She was stricken from the naval register in 1901 and subsequently broken up for scrap.