Seydlitz, named after a famous Prussian cavalry general in the Seven Years War, was an improved version of the preceding Moltke class. Because the older battlecruisers had been built with rather low bows and took over a lot of water in heavy weather, Seydlitz was fitted with a higher bow and lengthened by 14 meters to improve the seagoing capabilities. An improved power plant and a sleeker form gave it an extra knot of top speed, and the belt armour was somewhat stronger as well. The finishing touch were new main gun mounts with an increased maximum elevation, allowing for a greater range of the 28cm SK L/50 battery.