SMS Scharnhorst was a German battleship launched in 1906, named after the Prussian general Gerhard von Scharnhorst. It was part of the Imperial German Navy and served during World War I, primarily in the North Sea. The ship was known for its speed and firepower, featuring a main armament of eight 28 cm guns. SMS Scharnhorst was sunk in December 1914 during the Battle of the Falkland Islands, where it faced British naval forces, marking a significant loss for the German fleet.