Bismarck - Gallery - The Launch

The Launch (14 Februar 1939)

Immediately after the christening ceremony the hull starts to move.	The hull leaves the slipway.

The launch seen from a differrent angle. Note that the bow and the midship are still on the slipway. Because of the stress of the hull this is the most critical phase during the launch.	After the successfull launch the hull are moved to the fitting-out pier by tugs from the shipyard.