SMS Grosser Kurfürst [a] (or Großer [b]) was an ironclad turret ship built for the German Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy).

The three ships encountered a group of fishing boats under sail; in turning to avoid them, Grosser Kurfürst inadvertently crossed König Wilhelm's path and was rammed, sinking within about fifteen minutes.

Her loss spurred a series of investigations into the circumstances of the collision, which ultimately resulted in the acquittal of both Rear Admiral Karl Ferdinand Batsch [de], the squadron commander, and Count Alexander von Monts, the captain of Grosser Kurfürst.

[6] The lengthy construction period was the result of several factors: the delay caused by the Franco-Prussian War, the inexperience of the new imperial shipyard, and the re-design of the ship after work had begun.

[5][7] In April 1878, the armored squadron was reactivated for the annual summer training cycle, under the command of Konteradmiral Carl Ferdinand Batsch.

Stosch ordered Grosser Kurfürst to join the unit, which included her sisters Preussen and Friedrich der Grosse, the large ironclad König Wilhelm, and the aviso Falke after her commissioning on 6 May.

Batch recognized that the crew was not ready for major operation, but he instructed Grosser Kurfürst to join him anyway to comply with Stosch's orders.

A grounding by Friedrich der Grosse caused serious damage to her hull and prevented her from taking part in the upcoming training cruise.

[5][8] Shortly after leaving Germany, the squadron parted ways temporarily with Falke due to engine problems aboard the aviso.

[9] Five minutes after entering the Dover strait, Batsch ordered Grosser Kurfürst to close to within 100 m (330 ft) as the waterway narrowed.

Shortly thereafter, while passing Folkestone, the ships encountered a barque and a brig sailing on a southeast course, some 600 m (2,000 ft) from the German vessels.

In accordance with maritime regulations, König Wilhelm and Preussen turned to starboard to avoid a collision with the merchant vessels.

[12] The collision was so severe that Grosser Kurfürst was pushed back to port and part of her mizzenmast was torn off, among other damage to the upper works of the ship.

[10] König Wilhelm disentangled from Grosser Kurfürst and slowly returned to her original course, and the latter attempted to follow the flagship on the port side.

Monts had attempted to steer the fatally damaged ship into shallower water, but was unable to cross the approximate 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) before she capsized and sank.

[13] König Wilhelm slowly approached and lowered all of her boats to pick up the men in the water, while Preussen stopped some 800 m (2,600 ft) away, her captain having decided to strictly follow regulations.

[17] In the ensuing inquiry, chaired by Konteradmiral Reinhold von Werner, Monts testified that he had not been given sufficient time to familiarize himself with the ship and its crew, who were themselves unfamiliar with the vessel.

The day before the squadron left Wilhelmshaven, Batsch complained to Stosch that a significant number of dockyard workers were still finishing work on Grosser Kurfürst.

[19][23] The incident provided clear evidence to senior naval leadership that new crews required significantly more time to familiarize themselves with a new ship before they could be pronounced ready for active service.

They pointed to his career in the army, frequently citing the argument that "one cannot make a ship ready for service in a few days like a regiment or a brigade.

In addition, the design for the ironclad Oldenburg, which was to have been a member of the Sachsen class, had to be reduced significantly as a result of the shortage of funds.

[14] An initial survey of the wreck by divers in the immediate aftermath of the sinking revealed the hull to be upside down and in good condition apart from the hole torn by König Wilhelm's ram.

British authorities doubted the possibility of raising the ship, but the Germans nevertheless sent a team aboard a steamer Boreas and the aviso Loreley to make an initial attempt, which was not successful.