The Rise of German empire

November 18, 1907, Deutsches Werft in Danzig. The entire factory complex had been placed under martial law, and every worker entering the premises had to pass through multiple layers of inspection. Although the procedure was cumbersome, the workers didn't mind. Today was a momentous day for Deutsche Shipyard.

Today marked the commissioning of the "Nassau" battleship, the lead ship of the "Nassau-class", which had completed its sea trials and was now ready to be delivered to the Imperial German Navy. With this, the German Navy would officially enter the era of the dreadnoughts and bid farewell to the age of outdated, pre-dreadnought battleships.

Kaiser Wilhelm II and Crown Prince Oscar were expected to arrive from Berlin to attend the commissioning ceremony. High-ranking officials, including Minister of the Navy Marshal Earl Tirpitz, Chief of Naval Staff Marshal von Pohl, Commander of the High Seas Fleet Prince Heinrich, Naval Cabinet Chief General Muller, and experts from the Naval Technical Committee, were all in attendance.

For the experts of the Naval Technical Committee, the commissioning of the "Nassau-class" was more than just a proud moment. It was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite their earlier skepticism and dismissive attitude toward the dreadnought concept, they now had no choice but to recognize the triumph of a ship they had once ridiculed. This realization stung, but they moved forward with stiff upper lips, knowing there was little else to do.

Chief of General Staff Moltke, Deputy Chief of General Staff General Waldsee, and Minister of War von Falkenhain also participated in the event. Though the "Nassau" commissioning was primarily a naval affair, it held profound implications for the army as well. In future conflicts, the power of the navy would be just as crucial as that of the army. Both forces needed to work in tandem to ensure Germany's dominance on both land and sea.

The air was thick with anticipation as the shipyard's general manager, Brutt, directed the final preparations for the event. He was tired, but excitement and pressure fueled his energy. He understood the significance of this day—any mistake could not only embarrass the crown prince but also damage Deutsche Shipyard's rising reputation. Rival shipyards, envious of Deutsche Shipyard's growing dominance, were watching closely for any sign of failure.

"Cheer up your spirits, everyone. We must not embarrass His Highness the Crown Prince. The security work must be flawless, and no problems must arise. Otherwise, we won't be able to move forward." Brutt's voice was sharp but filled with excitement. It was a day that would define the future of the shipyard and the German Navy.

Soon, the royal entourage arrived, traveling by car to the dock. The "Nassau", now fully commissioned, sat at the dock, its towering hull casting a massive shadow over the water. The sight of it, floating majestically on the sea like a metal mountain, took everyone's breath away.

"Such a magnificent sight! A warship of this caliber is exactly what the German Empire needs. I can already imagine it crushing the British Navy on the high seas!" Kaiser Wilhelm II exclaimed as he stood on the dock, gazing at the "Nassau".

His enthusiasm was palpable. For the Kaiser, the commissioning of the "Nassau" was more than just a technical achievement—it was a symbol of Germany's rising naval power, a promise of future supremacy over the British.

"Your Majesty," Marshal Earl Tirpitz said, his voice filled with optimism, "once we engage the British, I have no doubt that our ships will dominate. From the current intelligence, it's clear that none of the British battleships—either already built, under construction, or even planned—stand a chance against the "Nassau-class". Not to mention the "Helgoland-class" battleships we have under construction. In the race for modern battleships, we have already surpassed the British."

Tirpitz's words were a testament to his belief in the superiority of the German fleet. As the head of the German Navy, this moment was a culmination of years of effort, and he couldn't help but feel pride.

"Indeed, we have surpassed the British," Wilhelm II agreed, his eyes alight with excitement. "In the future, we will continue to outpace them until they are forced to respect our power. Until they dare not oppose us."

This was Wilhelm's fantasy—to see the British, long the undisputed masters of the seas, bow before Germany's might. But this belief, however passionate, was overly optimistic. The British Empire had built its navy over centuries and was unlikely to simply relinquish its position as the world's preeminent naval power.

For both Oscar and Tirpitz, Wilhelm's hopeful words were quickly dismissed. They knew that the British would never concede their maritime supremacy willingly. In fact, their response would likely be to accelerate their own naval development, ensuring that any challenge from Germany would be met with increased British naval power.

The reality was that Britain's industrial capacity and experience in shipbuilding far outstripped Germany's. The sheer scale of British shipyards, their well-established workforce, and their vast colonial empire gave them the resources to produce warships at a rate Germany could never match. In a direct naval confrontation, the Germans would have to fight to win, not expect the British to back down.

This fact was not lost on Oscar and Tirpitz, who understood that the German Navy could never truly match Britain in terms of numbers and infrastructure. Their goal was to challenge Britain on the seas, to prove that Germany was a force to be reckoned with, and to give the British a reason to think twice before challenging German ambitions on the continent.

The naval experts from the Technical Committee, meanwhile, could not help but feel a mix of shame and frustration. These were the same men who had ridiculed the "Nassau-class" concept only a few years earlier. As they now looked at the ship—beautiful, powerful, and ready for battle—they had no choice but to admit that the Nassau was a magnificent vessel. Despite the minor flaws discovered during sea trials, none of them were significant enough to undermine the ship's overall performance. It was a triumph for German engineering.

At 10 a.m., the formal ceremony began. The crowd gathered as Wilhelm II took the stage, delivering a stirring speech to mark the official commissioning of the "Nassau".

"Gentlemen," the Kaiser began, his voice booming across the crowd, "welcome to the commissioning ceremony of the 'Nassau'. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the German Navy. The 'Nassau' is not just a ship; it is a symbol of our strength and our resolve. It represents the dawn of a new era, where Germany will no longer merely compete with other powers but will stand as a true maritime force. Today, the German Empire's navy is reborn."

As the Kaiser's words echoed across the dock, the assembled dignitaries and naval officers stood proudly, fully aware that they were witnessing the beginning of a new age of naval power—a power that would forever reshape the balance of power on the world's oceans.