German destroyer Z45

Z45 was a German naval warship which operated for a short time during the latter period of World War II. She was a Type 1936B destroyer, laid down during 1942 at Deschimag in Bremen and launched on 15 April 1944. Work on the ship was cancelled as World War II drew to a close. Z45 was eventually scrapped in harbor in 1946.

Design
Z45 was a Type 1936B-class destroyer, which meant that the twin 15.9 cm turrest positioned on the bow and stern of the ship were removed. This was because the older Type 1936A class of destroyers were deemed unstable. The twin turrets, which were planned to have been used on the s but diverted due to time constraints were removed and replaced with five single 12.7 cm turrets, along with more anti-aircraft defences. Besides that, the ship retained the main characteristics of the 1936A class.

Z45 displaced 2527 t, and were manned by 321 sailors and officers. Although she had a maximum speed of 38 kn, their range was 6200 m at 19 kn. Her main armament of five 12.7 cm SK C/34 naval guns could be depressed to −10° and raised to 30°. They had an arc of fire of 360°, meaning that they could rotate a full circle, able to fire at any given point. The guns fired 28 kg high-explosive shells at a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s to a range of 17400 m. The destroyer also carried four 3.7 cm anti-aircraft guns and six 2 cm anti-aircraft guns in pairs. She had eight 53.3 cm torpedo tubes and, when fitted as a minelayer, could carry 76 mines.