SMS Gneisenau
"Gneisenau" was laid down at the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen, Germany in 1904, under construction number 144. She was launched on 14 June 1906, and commissioned into the fleet nearly two years later on 6 March 1908. The ship cost the German government 19,243,000 goldmarks. The ship had been designed for service with the High Seas Fleet, though it was found to be too weak for service with the battle fleet; instead it was deployed overseas, a role in which it performed well.
SMS Nautilus (1906)
"Nautilus" was built by the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen; her keel was laid down as "mine steamer A" on 19 December 1905, and her completed hull was launched as "Nautilus" on 28 August 1906. After completing fitting-out work, the ship was commissioned for sea trials on 19 March 1907, which lasted until 25 May. She was initially used for mine warfare training and was based in Cuxhaven. "Nautilus" took part in the annual fleet maneuvers in August and September 1907 and 1908 before being decommissioned in Kiel; her role in the peacetime fleet was then taken over by her recently commissioned sister ship . In 1909–10, "Nautilus" was modernized at the "Kaiserliche Werft" (Imperial Shipyard) in Kiel. Her stern overhang was extended by , bringing the ship's overall length to , and her superstructure deck was extended further aft. The work was completed by January 1910.