SM U-38

Last updated
German Submarine U38.jpg
SM U-38 with crew
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameU-38
Ordered12 June 1912
Builder Germaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number198
Laid down25 February 1913
Launched9 September 1914
Commissioned15 December 1914
FateSurrendered 23 February 1919. Broken up at Brest 1921
General characteristics
Class & type Type U 31 submarine
Displacement
  • 685  t (674 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 878 t (864 long tons) (submerged)
Length
Beam
  • 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) (o/a)
  • 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in) (pressure hull)
Draught3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
Installed power
Propulsion
  • 2 × shafts
  • 2 × 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed
  • 16.4 knots (30.4 km/h; 18.9 mph) (surfaced)
  • 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) (submerged)
Range
  • 8,790  nmi (16,280 km; 10,120 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) (surfaced)
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) (submerged)
Test depth50 m (164 ft 1 in)
Boats & landing
craft carried
1 dinghy
Complement4 officers, 31 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • II Flottille
  • Unknown start – 11 November 1915
  • Pola Flotilla
  • 11 November 1915 – 22 May 1916
  • Constantinople Flotilla
  • 22 May 1916 – 7 September 1918
  • Mittelmeer I Flotilla
  • 7 September – 11 November 1918
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Max Valentiner
  • 5 December 1914 – 15 September 1917
  • Kptlt. Wilhelm Canaris
  • 16 September – 15 November 1917
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Heinrich Wurmbach
  • 16 November 1917 – 18 January 1918
  • Kptlt. Clemens Wickel
  • 19 January – 11 November 1918
Operations: 17 patrols
Victories:
  • 134 merchant ships sunk
    (287,811  GRT)
  • 1 warship sunk
    (680 tons)
  • 4 auxiliary warships sunk
    (4,643  GRT)
  • 7 merchant ships damaged
    (29,821  GRT)
  • 1 warship damaged
    (10,850 tons)
  • 1 auxiliary warship damaged
    (3,848  GRT)
  • 3 merchant ships taken as prize
    (3,550  GRT)
The Italian Liner SS Ancona which was sunk by the German submarines, sailing from New York for Italy Merchant Marine - Well-Known Vessels - THE ITALIAN LINER ANCONA WHICH was sunk by the German submarines, sailing from New York for Italy - NARA - 45499968.jpg
The Italian Liner SS Ancona which was sunk by the German submarines, sailing from New York for Italy
Postcard of SS Persia at Aden, c.1900 Aden postcard.jpg
Postcard of SS Persia at Aden, c.1900
Max Valentiner Max Valentiner.jpg
Max Valentiner
Canaris, while a Korvettenkapitan Wilhelm Canaris.jpg
Canaris, while a Korvettenkapitän

SM U-38 was a German Type U 31 U-boat which operated in the Mediterranean Sea during World War I. It ended up being the third most successful U-boat participating in the war, sinking 134 merchant ships sunk for a total of 287,811 GRT.

Contents

Its longest serving captain was Kptlt. Max Valentiner, who was awarded the Pour le Mérite while in command of U-38. Valentiner was in command of U-38 in November and December 1915 when she sank the passenger liners Ancona and Persia; both were controversial since the ships were sunk by torpedoes without warning, in defiance of the then-current Prize rules, which stated that merchant vessels carrying passengers be given an opportunity to evacuate their passengers before being sunk.

In 1917 Valentiner was succeeded as commander of U-38 by Kptlt. Wilhelm Canaris, who decades later became an Admiral and head of the Abwehr (German Military Intelligence), in 1935–1944.

Design

Type U 31 submarines were double-hulled ocean-going submarines similar to Type 23 and Type 27 subs in dimensions and differed only slightly in propulsion and speed. They were considered very good high sea boats with average manoeuvrability and good surface steering. [1]

U-38 had an overall length of 64.70 m (212 ft 3 in), her pressure hull was 52.36 m (171 ft 9 in) long. The boat's beam was 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) (o/a), while the pressure hull measured 4.05 m (13 ft 3 in). Type 31s had a draught of 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in) with a total height of 7.68–8.04 m (25 ft 2 in – 26 ft 5 in). The boats displaced a total of 971 tonnes (956 long tons); 685 t (674 long tons) when surfaced and 878 t (864 long tons) when submerged. [1]

U-38 was fitted with two Germania 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines with a total of 1,850 metric horsepower (1,361  kW ; 1,825  bhp ) for use on the surface and two Siemens-Schuckert double-acting electric motors with a total of 1,200 PS (883 kW; 1,184 shp) for underwater use. These engines powered two shafts each with a 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) propeller, which gave the boat a top surface speed of 16.4 knots (30.4 km/h; 18.9 mph), and 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) when submerged. Cruising range was 8,790 nautical miles (16,280 km; 10,120 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) on the surface, and 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) under water. Diving depth was 50 m (164 ft 1 in). [1]

The U-boat was armed with four 50 cm (20 in) torpedo tubes, two fitted in the bow and two in the stern, and carried 6 torpedoes. Additionally U-38 was equipped in 1915 with one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun, which was replaced with a 10.5 cm (4.1 in) gun in 1916/17. The boat's complement was 4 officers and 31 enlisted. [1]

Fate

After World War I ended, U-38 was surrendered to France and docked in Brest in 1919, and then broken up.

Summary of raiding history

DateNameNationalityTonnage [Note 1] Fate [2]
18 April 1915BrilliantFlag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,441Captured as prize
22 April 1915 Eva Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 312Sunk
22 April 1915 Oscar Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 766Sunk
24 April 1915NidarosFlag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,024Captured as prize
27 April 1915TorwaldFlag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,085Captured as prize
30 April 1915 Elida Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,693Sunk
20 June 1915 HMS Roxburgh Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 10,850Damaged
21 June 1915 Carisbrook Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,352Sunk
22 June 1915 Leo Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 269Sunk
23 June 1915 Truma Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,557Sunk
23 June 1915 Elizabeth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 94Sunk
23 June 1915 Four Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 84Sunk
23 June 1915 Josephine Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 85Sunk
23 June 1915 Piscatorial Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 84Sunk
23 June 1915 Research Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 89Sunk
23 June 1915 Uffa Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 79Sunk
23 June 1915 Ugiebrae Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 79Sunk
24 June 1915 Commander Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 149Sunk
24 June 1915 J. M. S. Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 78Sunk
24 June 1915 Lebanon Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 111Sunk
24 June 1915 Monarda Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 87Sunk
24 June 1915 Primrose Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 91Sunk
24 June 1915 Quiet Waters Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 63Sunk
24 June 1915 Star of Bethlehem Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 77Sunk
24 June 1915 Viceroy Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 150Sunk
24 June 1915 Vine Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 110Sunk
5 August 1915 Hans Emil Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 106Sunk
5 August 1915 Vanadis Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 484Sunk
6 August 1915 Ocean Queen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 185Sunk
6 August 1915 Westminster Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 252Sunk
9 August 1915 Thrush Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 264Sunk
10 August 1915 Oakwood Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,279Sunk
17 August 1915 Bonny Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,702Sunk
17 August 1915 George Baker Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 91Sunk
17 August 1915 Glenby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,196Sunk
17 August 1915 Isidoro BandMercante1785.svg  Spain 2,044Sunk
17 August 1915 Kirkby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,034Sunk
17 August 1915 Maggie Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 269Sunk
17 August 1915 Paros Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,596Sunk
17 August 1915 Repeat Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 107Sunk
17 August 1915 The Queen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 557Sunk
17 August 1915 Thornfield Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 488Sunk
19 August 1915 Baron Erskine Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,585Sunk
19 August 1915 Restormel Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,118Sunk
19 August 1915 Samara Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,172Sunk
20 August 1915 Bittern Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,797Sunk
20 August 1915 Carterswell Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,308Sunk
20 August 1915 Daghestan Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2,817Sunk
20 August 1915 Martha Edmonds Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 182Sunk
21 August 1915 Cober Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,060Sunk
21 August 1915 Ruel Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,029Sunk
21 August 1915San MelitoCivil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 10,160Damaged
21 August 1915 Windsor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,055Sunk
22 August 1915 Diomed Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,672Sunk
22 August 1915 Palmgrove Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,100Sunk
23 August 1915 Silvia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,268Sunk
23 August 1915 Trafalgar Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,572Sunk
3 November 1915 Woodfield Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,584Sunk
3 November 1915 Yasukuni Maru Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 5,118Sunk
4 November 1915 Dahra Flag of France.svg  France 2,127Sunk
4 November 1915 Ionia Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 1,816Sunk
4 November 1915 Le Calvados Flag of France.svg  France 1,658Sunk, 740 people killed
4 November 1915MercianCivil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,305Damaged
5 November 1915 Buresk Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,673Sunk
5 November 1915 Sidi Ferruch Flag of France.svg  France 2,797Sunk
6 November 1915 Elisa Francesca Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 208Sunk
6 November 1915 Glenmoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,075Sunk
6 November 1915 Ticino Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 1,470Sunk
6 November 1915 Yser Flag of France.svg  France 3,545Sunk
7 November 1915 France IV Flag of France.svg  France 4,025Sunk
8 November 1915 Ancona Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 8,210Sunk, 206 people killed
9 November 1915 Firenze Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 3,960Sunk
21 December 1915 Yasaka Maru Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 10,932Sunk
30 December 1915 Clan Macfarlane Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,823Sunk
30 December 1915 Persia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,951Sunk, 343 people killed
9 February 1916 Springwell Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,593Sunk
9 February 1916HMS ThornhillNaval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 3,848Damaged
23 February 1916 Diadem Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,752Sunk
23 February 1916 Roubine Flag of France.svg  France 327Sunk
24 February 1916 Denaby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,987Sunk
24 February 1916 Fastnet Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,227Sunk
24 February 1916 Torborg Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,266Sunk
29 February 1916 Alexander Wentzel Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2,832Sunk
29 February 1916 Elisa S Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 209Sunk
1 March 1916 Kilbride Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,712Sunk
16 May 1916 HMS Clifford Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 487Sunk
8 June 1916 Malorossija Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 893Damaged
8 June 1916 Cementcrug Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1,086Sunk
8 June 1916 Ekaterina Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 70Sunk
8 June 1916 Vera Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1,231Damaged
10 June 1916 Orion Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 429Sunk
2 July 1916 Rockcliffe Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,073Sunk
9 July 1916 Vperied Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 859Sunk
10 July 1916 Florida Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 3,238Sunk
14 August 1916 HMS Remembrance Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 3,660Sunk
19 August 1916 Dea Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Italy 166Sunk
23 August 1916 Elios Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 190Sunk
23 August 1916 Maria Brizzolari Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 152Sunk
23 August 1916 Tanina Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 138Sunk
24 August 1916 Isdalen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2,275Sunk
24 August 1916 Liegeoise Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 3,895Sunk
25 August 1916 Leandros Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 1,658Sunk
25 August 1916 Nostra Signora Del Carmine Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 1,575Sunk
26 August 1916 Atlantico Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 3,069Sunk
29 August 1916 Antigoon Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1,884Sunk
29 August 1916 Francois Joseph Flag of France.svg  France 114Sunk
29 August 1916 Stella Del Mare Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 1,166Sunk
30 August 1916 Nostra Signora Della Guardia Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 1,588Sunk
31 August 1916 Bacchus Flag of France.svg  France 3,583Sunk
31 August 1916 Duart Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,108Sunk
31 August 1916 Piero Maroncelli Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Kingdom of Italy 3,225Sunk
1 September 1916 S. Francesco Di Paola Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 68Sunk
1 September 1916 Swift Wings Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,465Sunk
1 September 1916AntinousCivil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,682Damaged
2 September 1916 Strathallan Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,404Sunk
2 September 1916 Uranie Flag of France.svg  France 117Sunk
3 September 1916 Villadoro Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 134Sunk
4 September 1916 Laristan Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,675Sunk
5 September 1916 Saint Marc Flag of France.svg  France 5,818Sunk
25 November 1916 Michael Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 2,410Sunk
26 November 1916 Chemung Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 3,062Sunk
3 December 1916 Dacia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,856Sunk
3 December 1916 Kanguroo Flag of France.svg  France 2,493Sunk
3 December 1916 Surprise Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 680Sunk
8 December 1916 Brask Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,464Sunk
8 December 1916 Britannia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,814Sunk
9 December 1916 Brizella Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 282Sunk
10 December 1916 Esemplare Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 2,595Sunk
13 December 1916 Angelo Parodi Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 3,825Sunk
13 December 1916 Kaupanger Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,354Sunk
15 December 1916 Emmanuele Accame Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 3,242Sunk
17 December 1916 Tripoli Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 56Sunk
20 December 1916 Itonus Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,340Sunk
25 January 1917 Sylvie Flag of France.svg  France 2,591Sunk
7 February 1917 Aphrodite Flag of France.svg  France 130Sunk
14 February 1917TrowbridgeCivil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,712Damaged
14 February 1917 Michele Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 41Sunk
12 May 1917 Egyptian Prince Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,117Sunk
13 May 1917 Rio Amazonas Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 2,970Sunk
25 May 1917 Kohinur Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,265Sunk
26 May 1917 Holmesbank Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,051Sunk
1 July 1917 Corrado Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 121Sunk
1 July 1917 Volto Santo G. Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 225Sunk
7 July 1917 La Resolu Flag of France.svg  France 186Sunk
12 July 1917 Claire Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1,157Sunk
15 July 1917 Atalante Flag of France.svg  France 124Sunk
19 July 1917 Eloby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,545Sunk
20 August 1917 Incemore Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,060Sunk
19 April 1918 Salambo Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 248Sunk
5 May 1918 Alberto Treves Flag of Italy (1861-1946).svg  Italy 3,838Damaged
8 May 1918 Ingleside Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,736Sunk

See also

References

Notes

  1. Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, p. 6.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 38". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 14 December 2014.

Bibliography