North German Federal Navy

The Norddeutsche Bundesmarine or Marine des Norddeutschen Bundes (English: North German Federal Navy), was the Navy of the North German Confederation, formed out of the Prussian Navy in 1867. It was eventually succeeded by the Kaiserliche Marine in 1871.

In the war against France, in 1870/1871, the navy encountered enemy forces on a few occasions. In general, due to its small size the navy did not play a significant role in the war. On the other hand, for organisational and political reasons the French navy found it difficult to employ its far superior fleet for a landing operation at the Prussian coasts.