They were still building on the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914 when they were seized on behalf of the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy).

[1] The outbreak of the First World War led to the four ships, which had not yet been launched, being seized by Germany on 6 August 1914 and being completed for the Kaiserliche Marine.

[2] The four French-built ships were also still building on the outbreak of the First World War and served with the French Navy as the Aventurier class.

[2][a][b] These guns could fire a 9 kg (20 lb) high explosive shell a distance of 11,790 m (12,890 yd) at a rate of 15 rounds per minute.

[12] All four ships of the class survived the war and were interned at Scapa Flow, along with most of the rest of the High Seas Fleet on 22 November 1918.