SM UB-40

Last updated
SM UB 45.jpg
SM UB-45 a U-boat similar to UB-40
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameUB-40
Ordered22 July 1915 [1]
Builder Blohm & Voss, Hamburg [1]
Cost1,152,000 German Papiermark [2]
Yard number264 [3]
Launched25 April 1916 [3]
Completed18 August 1916 [3]
Commissioned17 August 1916 [2]
FateScuttled during the retreat from Belgium, 5 October 1918 [2]
General characteristics
Class and type Type UB II submarine
Displacement
  • 274  t (270 long tons) surfaced
  • 303 t (298 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 4.37 m (14 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) pressure hull
Draught3.69 m (12 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 9.15 knots (16.95 km/h; 10.53 mph) surfaced
  • 5.81 knots (10.76 km/h; 6.69 mph) submerged
Range
  • 6,450  nmi (11,950 km; 7,420 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) surfaced
  • 45 nmi (83 km; 52 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth50 m (160 ft)
Complement2 officers, 21 men
Armament
Notes42-second diving time
Service record [4]
Part of:
  • Flandern Flotilla
  • 10 March 1916 – 2 October 1918
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Karl Neumann
  • 17 August – 2 December 1916
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Howaldt
  • 3 December 1916 – 14 December 1917
  • Oblt.z.S. Karl Dobberstein
  • 15 December 1917 – 17 May 1918
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Joachim Emsmann
  • 18 May – 31 July 1918
Operations: 28 patrols
Victories:
  • 99 merchant ships sunk
    (129,330  GRT)
  • 1 auxiliary warship sunk
    (6,287  GRT)
  • 16 merchant ships damaged
    (60,629  GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship taken as prize
    (470  GRT)

SM UB-40 [Note 1] was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German : Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I.

Contents

Design

A Type UB II submarine, UB-40 had a displacement of 274 tonnes (270 long tons) when at the surface and 303 tonnes (298 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 36.90 m (121 ft 1 in), a beam of 4.37 m (14 ft 4 in), and a draught of 3.69 m (12 ft 1 in). The submarine was powered by two Körting six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total 284 metric horsepower (280 shp; 209 kW), two Siemens-Schuckert electric motors producing 280 metric horsepower (210 kW; 280 shp), and one propeller shaft. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 50 metres (160 ft). [2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.15 knots (16.95 km/h; 10.53 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 5.81 knots (10.76 km/h; 6.69 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 6,450 nautical miles (11,950 km; 7,420 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). UB-40 was fitted with two 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes, four torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. She had a complement of twenty-one crew members and two officers and a 42-second dive time. [2]

Construction and career

The U-boat was ordered on 22 July 1915 and launched on 25 April 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 17 August 1916 as SM UB-40. [Note 2]

The submarine sank 100 ships in 28 patrols. UB-40 was scuttled in Ostend when the German army retreated from Belgium on 5 October 1918. [2]

The wreck of UB-40 has been located & identified by divers in the recent years. [5]

Summary of raiding history

DateNameNationalityTonnage [Note 3] Fate [6]
20 October 1916 Barbara Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,740Sunk
21 October 1916 Cock O’ the Walk Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 111Sunk
22 October 1916 Maris Stella Flag of France.svg  France 106Sunk
22 October 1916 Risøy Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,129Sunk
7 November 1916 Reime Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,913Sunk
8 November 1916 Killellan Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,971Sunk
16 November 1916 Alphonse Marceline Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 60Sunk
16 November 1916 Vanguard Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 142Sunk
17 November 1916 Saint Rogatien Flag of France.svg  France 1,581Sunk
21 November 1916 Alice Flag of France.svg  France 822Sunk
21 November 1916 Palm Beach Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,891Damaged
22 November 1916 Houlgate Flag of France.svg  France 1,550Sunk
22 November 1916 City of Mexico Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,511Sunk
22 November 1916 Grenada Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,268Sunk
28 December 1916 Oldambt Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 470Captured as prize
5 February 1917 Anna Prosper Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 70Sunk
5 February 1917 Emerald Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 57Sunk
21 February 1917 Alice Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 709Sunk
25 February 1917 Maria Adriana Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 88Sunk
26 February 1917 Tammerfors Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire 994Sunk
28 February 1917 Immaculee Conception Flag of France.svg  France 36Sunk
25 March 1917 Etoile De La Mer Flag of France.svg  France 43Sunk
25 March 1917 Felix Faure Flag of France.svg  France 37Sunk
25 March 1917 Louise Flag of France.svg  France 45Sunk
25 March 1917 Marie Louise Flag of France.svg  France 34Sunk
25 March 1917 Saint Joseph Flag of France.svg  France 35Sunk
29 March 1917 Conoid Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 165Sunk
29 March 1917 Irma Flag of France.svg  France 32Sunk
30 March 1917 Somme Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,828Sunk
15 April 1917 Möhlenpris Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 638Sunk
16 April 1917 Cairndhu Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,109Sunk
16 April 1917 Victoria Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 165Sunk
17 April 1917 HMHS Lanfranc Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 6,287Sunk
19 April 1917 Limeleaf Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,339Damaged
3 May 1917 Clodmoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,753Sunk
15 May 1917 Cuba Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 271Sunk
16 May 1917 Highland Corrie Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,583Sunk
16 May 1917 Pagenturm Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,000Sunk
17 May 1917 Florence Louisa Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 115Sunk
20 May 1917 Porthkerry Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,920Sunk
20 May 1917 Tycho Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,216Sunk
21 May 1917 Jupiter Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,124Sunk
7 June 1917 Mahopac Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,216Damaged
7 June 1917 Oldfield Grange Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,653Damaged
8 June 1917 Phantom Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 251Sunk
9 June 1917 Eugene Mathilde Flag of France.svg  France 15Sunk
9 June 1917 Francois Georgette Flag of France.svg  France 7Sunk
10 June 1917 Henri Jeanne Flag of France.svg  France 9Sunk
10 June 1917 Madeleine Flag of France.svg  France 7Sunk
11 June 1917 Eustace Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,995Damaged
11 June 1917 Huntsholm Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,073Sunk
11 June 1917 Margarita Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,788Damaged
12 June 1917 Alfred Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 130Sunk
27 June 1917 Solway Prince Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 317Sunk
28 June 1917 Marguerite Flag of France.svg  France 1,544Sunk
28 June 1917 Northfield Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,099Damaged
30 June 1917 Borgund I Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 764Sunk
30 June 1917 Chateau Yquem Flag of France.svg  France 1,913Sunk
15 July 1917 Dinorwic Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 124Sunk
15 July 1917 Ebenezer Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 177Sunk
20 July 1917 L. H. Carl Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,916Sunk
20 July 1917 Salsette Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,842Sunk
22 July 1917 Rota Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,171Sunk
12 August 1917 Marie Alfred Flag of France.svg  France 159Sunk
12 August 1917 Pauline Louisa Flag of France.svg  France 172Sunk
14 August 1917 Tuddal Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,511Sunk
15 August 1917 Brodstone Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,927Sunk
16 August 1917 Eastgate Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,277Damaged
19 August 1917 Glocliffe Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,211Sunk
21 September 1917 Radaas Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 2,524Sunk
22 September 1917 Greleen Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,286Sunk
23 September 1917 Rosehill Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,788Sunk
25 September 1917 City of Swansea Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,375Sunk
19 October 1917 Wellington Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,600Damaged
24 October 1917 Gallia Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,728Sunk
25 October 1917 Gefion Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,123Sunk
28 October 1917 Redesmere Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,123Sunk
17 November 1917 Abaris Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,892Damaged
17 November 1917 Western Coast Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,394Sunk
19 November 1917 Aparima Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,704Sunk
9 December 1917 Sedbergh Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,275Damaged
27 January 1918 Carolus Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,041Sunk
29 January 1918 Butetown Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,829Sunk
20 February 1918 Huntsmoor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,957Sunk
25 February 1918 Nyanza Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,695Damaged
16 March 1918 Author Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,586Damaged
21 March 1918 Ikeda Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,311Sunk
18 April 1918 Pentyrch Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,312Sunk
26 May 1918 Dayspring Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 57Sunk
26 May 1918 Eclipse Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 47Sunk
26 May 1918 Fortuna Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 61Sunk
31 May 1918 Alert Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 59Sunk
3 June 1918 Antiope Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,004Damaged
6 June 1918 Active Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 57Sunk
6 June 1918 Beryl Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 57Sunk
6 June 1918 Dianthus Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 51Sunk
29 June 1918 Grekland Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 2,751Sunk
29 June 1918 Florentia Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,688Sunk
1 July 1918 Charing Cross Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,534Sunk
2 July 1918 Admiral Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 102Sunk
2 July 1918 Madeleine Flag of France.svg  France 158Damaged
2 July 1918 Nord Flag of France.svg  France 409Sunk
7 July 1918 Aby Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 15Sunk
7 July 1918 Albion Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 22Sunk
7 July 1918 Leeds Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 161Damaged
26 July 1918 Boy Jack Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 57Sunk
26 July 1918 Godesgenage Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 40Sunk
27 July 1918 Counsellor Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 56Sunk
27 July 1918 Fear Not Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 59Sunk
27 July 1918 I’ll Try Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 51Sunk
27 July 1918 Kirkham Abbey Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,166Sunk
27 July 1918 Le Bijou Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 46Sunk
27 July 1918 Paragon Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 56Sunk
27 July 1918 Passion Flower Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 46Sunk
27 July 1918 Success Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 54Sunk
27 July 1918 Valour Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 39Sunk
28 July 1918 Francis Robert Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 44Sunk

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SM <i>UB-62</i>

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SM <i>UB-108</i>

SM UB-108 was a German Type UB III submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 1 March 1918 as SM UB-108.

References

Notes

  1. "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.
  2. "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.
  3. Tonnages are in gross register tons

Citations

  1. 1 2 Rössler 1979, p. 64.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gröner 1991, pp. 23–25.
  3. 1 2 3 Rössler 1979, p. 65.
  4. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: UB 40". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  5. UB-40 (+1918) WreckSite
  6. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UB 40". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 8 December 2014.

Bibliography

51°13.5′N2°56′E / 51.2250°N 2.933°E / 51.2250; 2.933