# Talk:SMS Bayern (1878)

Copied from WT:MILHIST:

The SMS Bayern (1878) article states that she was launched on 13 May 1878. However, several British newspapers reported in August 1877 that she had been launched. The Hampshire/Portsmouth Telegraph of 18 August was one such paper. They quoted that the Heeres Zeitung had reported her launch ("The German Navy". Hampshire/Portsmouth Telegraph. No. 4696. Portsmouth. 18 August 1877.). Do we need to make a correction to the article? Mjroots (talk) 08:44, 17 May 2024 (UTC)

The Deutsche Heeres-Zeitung corrected itself on 10 August 1877 and said the ship wouldn't be launched for weeks. —Simon Harley (Talk). 09:52, 17 May 2024 (UTC)
I had a look at Hildebrand et. al. (since they sometimes include details on delays during construction when they happen) but they did not in this case. Given the correction Simon noted, I'd say we should stick with the date that Hildebrand and Groener provide. Parsecboy (talk) 12:02, 17 May 2024 (UTC)
Thanks for the replies. It is a good thing that we can challenge facts and re-evaluate them to ensure accuracy of articles. Mjroots (talk) 07:57, 18 May 2024 (UTC)
I did a quick skim for German sources and came across this article in the Augsburger neueste Nachrichtung dated 17 May 1878 on the launch ceremony (I haven't read it to see if it mentions a delay, because I loathe deciphering blackletter) that confirms the 13 May 1878 date. The Kurier fuer Niederbayern also supports the 13 May 1878 date. Parsecboy (talk) 13:34, 18 May 2024 (UTC)
Guys it is amazing and really useful that you are critically re-evaluating the sources!! However, always, please, copy back these discussions into the talk page of the ship concerned. Otherwise we may reinvent the wheel at a later date!! Buckshot06 (talk) 07:33, 20 May 2024 (UTC)
Parsecboy (talk) 13:25, 28 May 2024 (UTC)