When those dreadnoughts came around there was nothing in remote comparison, size, firepower, strength, or intimidation. They beelined straight for blockades around German ports... then got stonewalled by half-submerged metal tubes with rockets stuffed in 'em. Modern history's most fatal satire.
An interesting thing about the era was that, since there were so few naval battles in the late 19th century, no one really knew what the technology would do. Submarines were a frighteningly cost effective weapon -- yet oddly enough, the Nazis wasted resources on a largely ineffectual surface fleet before WW2, and had fewer subs at the outset than most of their rivals. At the end of the day, a Type VII U-boat just didn't please the crowds the way the Bismarck did...
interesting point. the dreadnought had that same key idea then, in that it carried a new dominance for the nation, a new source of power. Yet, i have a feeling those U-boats didnt please the british either ;)