sentences:  Beginning in 1896, the German navy began to acquire Maxim guns to supplement the 8.8 cm guns in anti-torpedo-boat defense.Though these were very light weapons, firing a projectile, the Germans believed that a hail of fire would prevent torpedo boat crews from approaching close enough to launch their torpedoes.The guns had a maximum rate of fire of 100 rounds per minute, but using deliberate fire the rate was 33 shots per minute.