The Rise of German empire

The commissioning ceremony of the Nassau was a significant moment for the German Empire, as Kaiser Wilhelm II's speech stirred the hearts of all present. His words filled the air with optimism, ensuring the assembled officials and military leaders of the empire's bright future in naval power. Despite the undeniable strength of their potential enemies, especially the British, the confidence within the German ranks was palpable. The Nassau was not just a ship, but a symbol of their ascendancy in the coming naval arms race.

Once the speech concluded, the formal transfer of the battleship was carried out. On behalf of Deutsche Shipyard, Oscar officially handed the Nassau over to the German Navy. Marshal Count Tirpitz, with great pride, presented the ship's flag and appointed its first captain, marking the Nassau as the flagship of the Imperial Navy. The powerful warship now officially belonged to the service of the Kaiser and the empire.

The ceremony continued as the guests made their way aboard the massive vessel, inspecting every inch of the Nassau. The crew members and military officials marveled at the engineering marvel before them, especially the formidable triple-barrel 305mm guns that seemed to command the very sea. The power of the ship was undeniable, leaving an indelible impression on all who visited.

As the guests explored the battleship, a conversation began between the Kaiser and his son, Crown Prince Oscar.

"Oscar," Wilhelm II inquired, looking out over the Nassau with admiration. "When will the other ships in this class be ready?"

"Father, the remaining three Nassau-class battleships are all currently undergoing sea trials," Oscar responded. "They should be fully commissioned by the end of the month, or by Christmas at the latest."

"Excellent," Wilhelm II remarked, nodding in approval. "The speed of Deutsche Shipyard's expansion has been remarkable. I doubt even the large shipyards could match such efficiency."

Oscar smiled slightly, acknowledging the compliment. "Indeed, Father. But it's not just the shipyard. We have the hardest-working labor force in Germany, and an excellent manager at the helm."

He was well aware that much of Deutsche Shipyard's success could be attributed to poaching top-tier talent from other companies. Without this strategy, it would have been nearly impossible for the fledgling shipyard to reach such heights in such a short time.

At this moment, Kaiser Wilhelm II turned to Brutt, the general manager of Deutsche Shipyard, and offered praise. "Mr. Brutt, your contributions to the Empire are invaluable. The work you've done here will not be forgotten."

Brutt's face lit up with excitement. To be acknowledged by the Kaiser himself was the pinnacle of honor for a man like him. He could hardly contain his pride. "Your Majesty, it is an honor to serve the Empire."

As the tour continued, Wilhelm II's thoughts turned to another subject. "Oscar, what about our Blücher-class battlecruiser? When will it enter service?"

Oscar replied with a slight hesitation, "The Blücher-class is experiencing some delays, Father. It won't be ready for sea trials until the middle of next year."

"Middle of next year?" Wilhelm II frowned. "That's quite a delay."

Marshal Tirpitz, ever the optimist, interjected. "Your Majesty, given the speed of production at Deutsche Shipyard, it's impressive progress. By next summer, we'll have four Nassau-class battleships and three Blücher-class battlecruisers in our fleet. That's a formidable force."

The Kaiser considered this and nodded, though the British navy remained a pressing concern. "How many dreadnoughts will the British have by then?"

"From our intelligence," Marshal Tirpitz answered, "the British are expected to complete their Bellerophon-class battleships by the middle of next year, and their Invincible-class battlecruisers should also be operational. They're scrambling to catch up, given the rapid expansion of our own fleet."

"Are they really so few?" Wilhelm II asked, a note of doubt in his voice.

"Yes, Father," Oscar confirmed. "However, even if the British match us in numbers, our ships will have the edge in performance. Their shipbuilding heritage is impressive, but we are ahead in terms of design and technology."

Despite this, Oscar was careful not to downplay the reality of the naval arms race. "The British have the advantage in financial resources, and their vast empire supports their shipbuilding capabilities. While we will have a superior edge in ship quality, competing in sheer numbers will be difficult."

"I agree," Marshal Tirpitz added. "The British will always have an edge in numbers, but we must remember, they have a global empire to protect. We only need to defend our homeland. Our focus must be on quality over quantity."

Wilhelm II seemed to accept this, but his thoughts still lingered on the prospect of a showdown with the British. "It's a long game, then."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," said Oscar. "We need to continue strengthening our position before engaging in any conflict. We must be patient and prepare thoroughly."

At this moment, Chief of Staff Moltke, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, if we are to have the upper hand by next year, would it not make sense to strike the British when we are at our peak strength?"

The suggestion of war caught everyone off guard. The room fell silent, and everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

Oscar was the first to respond, shaking his head. "A war next year would be too premature. The Nassau and the Blücher will not be enough to ensure victory against the full might of the British fleet. While we may be ahead in some respects, we would still face enormous challenges. The British Navy is formidable, with more than fifty pre-dreadnoughts still in service. Even the superior Nassau-class could not take on such a fleet alone."

"I agree," Wilhelm II added. "We must continue building our strength and wait for the right moment. The British might have more ships, but they must stretch themselves thin across the globe. Our focus is on Europe, and that could prove decisive."

Moltke shrugged, sensing that the mood had shifted. "Of course, Your Majesty. I only wanted to suggest that we take the initiative while we can."

The group moved on, and the rest of the day was spent touring the ongoing projects, including the construction of the Helgoland-class battleships and the Blücher-class battlecruisers. After lunch, they gathered in the shipyard's conference room, where the conversation would soon shift to future plans.

Now that the Nassau-class was in service, Oscar's thoughts turned to the next level of capital ships—the Moltke-class battlecruiser, a project he hoped would further elevate the German Navy's prestige and strike fear into the hearts of their adversaries. It was clear that the future of Germany's naval power rested in his hands.