SMS Deutschland I was ironclad, and later an armored cruiser, of the Kaiserliche Marine launched on 12 September 1874 and commissioned on 20 July 1875.

Following her commissioning, SMS Deutschland I would serve in home waters until being placed into reserve status in 1884.  She would return to active service in 1889, seeing service both in home waters and in the Mediterranean.

Between 1894 and 1897, SMS Deutschland I was rebuilt as an armored cruiser.

Following Germany’s occupation of Kiautschou in 1897, SMS Deutschland I was dispatched to the East Asia Squadron.  She served as the flagship of the Squasdron from 14 April 1899 until her return to Germany in early 1900. 

She was used as a harbor ship beginning on 3 May 1904, and renamed Jupiter on 22 November 1904 so the Deutschland name could be used on a new warship, the Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleship SMS Deutschland II.  On 21 May 1906, she was stricken from the naval register, leading to her use as a target ship before being scrapped.