SMS Wespe (1860)

SMS Wespe was a Wespe-class gunboat built for the Prussian Navy in the early 1860s. She was later incorporated into the North German Federal Navy, and subsequently the Imperial German Navy in 1871. Wespe and her sister ships were designed to operate in shallow coastal waters and were primarily used for harbor defense.

Wespe was laid down in 1860 and completed in 1861. She was armed with several guns of varying calibers, typically including rifled breech-loading cannons. The ship was steam-powered, supplemented by sails for longer voyages and fuel conservation.

During her service life, Wespe participated in various naval activities, including patrols, training exercises, and coastal defense duties. Specific details of her operational history are scarce, but she likely played a role in securing Prussian and later German coastal regions.

The Wespe class gunboats represented a significant step in the development of the Prussian and early German navies, highlighting a shift towards more modern and technologically advanced vessels for coastal defense. The ships were relatively small but heavily armed for their size, making them well-suited for their intended role.

Details regarding the ship's eventual fate (scrapping, sinking, etc.) require further research to confirm accurately.