The predecessor of the Kaiserliche Werft was founded 1853 under an agreement of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg and the Kingdom of Prussia.

The first years the naval base was only used as an arsenal, depot and repair facility for the developing Prussian fleet.

With the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 it received the final name Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven.

Under the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II and his fleet commander Grand Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz the shipyard was immediately extended.

It soon became the greatest and most important of the three German imperial shipyards, beginning with about 3000 co-workers in 1880 and at last about 21,000 end of 1918, capable to build the largest and strongest warships of that time.