 In 1908 , Kaiser Friedrich III was taken into drydock for an extensive modernization , which lasted until 1909 . Four of her 15 cm guns were removed , though two 8 @.@ 8 cm guns were added . All twelve machine guns were removed , as was the ship 's stern @-@ mounted torpedo tube . Kaiser Friedrich III 's superstructure was also cut down to reduce the ship 's tendency to roll excessively . The ship 's funnels were also lengthened . Kaiser Friedrich III served with the active fleet for a total span of ten years , by which time the ship was moved to the III Squadron . However , in 1910 , the new dreadnought battleships were beginning to come into service . Kaiser Friedrich III was then decommissioned and placed into reserve . 
