March 18, 1917, Imperial German Navy U-boat SM UC-21 sinking American tanker steamer Illinois | |
History | |
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German Empire | |
Name | UC-21 |
Ordered | 29 August 1915 [1] |
Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg [2] |
Yard number | 271 [1] |
Launched | 1 April 1916 [1] |
Commissioned | 12 September 1916 [1] |
Fate | Missing since September 1917 [1] |
General characteristics [3] | |
Class and type | Type UC II submarine |
Displacement | |
Length |
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Beam |
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Draught | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
Propulsion |
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Speed |
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Range |
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Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
Complement | 26 |
Armament |
|
Notes | 35-second diving time |
Service record [1] | |
Part of: |
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Commanders: | |
Operations: | 11 patrols |
Victories: |
SM UC-21 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German : Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 1 April 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 12 September 1916 as SM UC-21. [Note 1]
In eleven patrols UC-21 was credited with sinking 98 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. They included the British hospital ship Donegal, which UC-21 torpedoed in the English Channel on 17 April 1917, killing 29 already wounded soldiers and 12 crew. [6]
UC-21 disappeared after departing Zeebrugge for the Bay of Biscay on 13 September 1917. [1]
Like all pre-UC-25 Type UC II submarines, UC-21 had a displacement of 417 tonnes (410 long tons) when at the surface and 493 tonnes (485 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 49.35 m (161 ft 11 in), a beam of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.65 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 250 metric horsepower (180 kW; 250 shp) (a total of 500 metric horsepower (370 kW; 490 shp)), two electric motors producing 460 metric horsepower (340 kW; 450 shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 35 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft). [3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) and a submerged speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 55 nautical miles (102 km; 63 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 9,430 nautical miles (17,460 km; 10,850 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC-21 was fitted with six 100 centimetres (39 in) mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members. [3]
Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage [Note 2] | Fate [7] |
---|---|---|---|---|
28 November 1916 | Clematis | United Kingdom | 22 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | Lady of the Lake | United Kingdom | 91 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | Vulcan | United Kingdom | 27 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | HMD Pelagia | Royal Navy | 84 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Draupner | Norway | 1,126 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Eggesford | United Kingdom | 4,414 | Damaged |
30 November 1916 | Therese | France | 165 | Sunk |
1 December 1916 | King Bleddyn | United Kingdom | 4,387 | Sunk |
2 December 1916 | Demetrios Inglesis | Greece | 2,088 | Sunk |
2 December 1916 | Robinson | France | 186 | Sunk |
2 December 1916 | Uribitarte | Spain | 1,756 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Aiglon | France | 280 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Louise | France | 155 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Verdun | France | 184 | Sunk |
4 December 1916 | Pallas | Russian Empire | 1,202 | Sunk |
5 December 1916 | Nexos | Denmark | 1,013 | Sunk |
6 December 1916 | Gerona | Spain | 1,328 | Sunk |
7 December 1916 | Avristan | United Kingdom | 3,818 | Sunk |
8 December 1916 | HMT Dagon | Royal Navy | 250 | Sunk |
8 December 1916 | Falk | Norway | 1,379 | Sunk |
8 December 1916 | Marjolaine | France | 163 | Sunk |
8 December 1916 | Modum | Norway | 2,937 | Sunk |
17 December 1916 | Margaret | United Kingdom | 54 | Sunk |
18 January 1917 | HMS Ferret | Royal Navy | 778 | Damaged |
19 January 1917 | Joseph Rosalie | France | 138 | Sunk |
19 January 1917 | Marietta Di Giorgio | Norway | 988 | Sunk |
19 January 1917 | Tremeadow | United Kingdom | 3,653 | Sunk |
20 January 1917 | Kisagata Maru No. 3 | Japan | 2,588 | Sunk |
20 January 1917 | Jotunfjell | Norway | 2,492 | Damaged |
21 January 1917 | Victoire | France | 290 | Damaged |
21 January 1917 | Leontine | France | 124 | Sunk |
21 January 1917 | Saint Pierre | France | 127 | Sunk |
22 January 1917 | Bearnais | France | 301 | Sunk |
22 January 1917 | Precurseur | France | 364 | Sunk |
22 January 1917 | Steinmachos | Greece | 1,175 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Dan | Denmark | 1,869 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Gladiateur | France | 23 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Loire III | France | 27 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Marie 3 | France | 25 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Quebec | France | 3,346 | Sunk |
24 January 1917 | Vega | Denmark | 195 | Sunk |
25 January 1917 | Myrdal | Norway | 2,631 | Sunk |
1 February 1917 | Sainte Helene | France | 2,128 | Sunk |
10 February 1917 | Beechtree | United Kingdom | 1,277 | Sunk |
11 February 1917 | Dernes | Norway | 738 | Sunk |
12 February 1917 | Nordcap | Norway | 332 | Sunk |
13 February 1917 | Progreso | Norway | 1,620 | Sunk |
14 February 1917 | Longscar | United Kingdom | 2,777 | Sunk |
14 February 1917 | Mar Adriatico | Spain | 2,410 | Sunk |
15 February 1917 | Aline | France | 30 | Sunk |
15 February 1917 | Marion Dawson | United Kingdom | 2,300 | Sunk |
16 February 1917 | Niobe | France | 1,319 | Sunk |
16 February 1917 | Pollcrea | United Kingdom | 1,209 | Damaged |
17 February 1917 | Cabo | Norway | 1,254 | Sunk |
17 February 1917 | Silene | France | 171 | Sunk |
18 February 1917 | Triumph | United Kingdom | 52 | Sunk |
19 February 1917 | Rutenfjell | Norway | 1,844 | Sunk |
10 March 1917 | Asbjørn | Norway | 3,459 | Sunk |
12 March 1917 | Alice Charles | France | 41 | Sunk |
12 March 1917 | Arethuse | France | 40 | Sunk |
13 March 1917 | Girda | Norway | 1,824 | Sunk |
13 March 1917 | Vivina | Spain | 3,034 | Sunk |
14 March 1917 | Blaamanden | Norway | 954 | Sunk |
14 March 1917 | La Marne | France | 133 | Sunk |
15 March 1917 | Eugene Robert | France | 98 | Sunk |
15 March 1917 | Fleur D’Esperance | France | 24 | Sunk |
15 March 1917 | Frimaire | United Kingdom | 1,778 | Sunk |
15 March 1917 | Petit Jean | France | 21 | Sunk |
16 March 1917 | Anais | France | 130 | Sunk |
16 March 1917 | Madeleine Davoust | France | 148 | Sunk |
16 March 1917 | Ronald | Norway | 3,021 | Sunk |
18 March 1917 | Illinois | United States | 5,225 | Sunk |
17 April 1917 | HMHS Donegal | Royal Navy | 1,885 | Sunk |
19 April 1917 | Cilurnum | United Kingdom | 3,126 | Sunk |
20 April 1917 | Georgios | Greece | 3,124 | Sunk |
21 April 1917 | Emile Et Charlotte | France | 41 | Sunk |
21 April 1917 | Ville De Dieppe | Norway | 1,254 | Sunk |
22 April 1917 | Capenor | United Kingdom | 2,536 | Sunk |
22 April 1917 | Percy Birdsall | United States | 1,127 | Sunk |
22 April 1917 | Valerie | Norway | 2,140 | Sunk |
24 April 1917 | Barnton | United Kingdom | 1,858 | Sunk |
25 April 1917 | Baigorry | France | 2,161 | Sunk |
26 April 1917 | Boy Denis | United Kingdom | 41 | Sunk |
22 May 1917 | Jeune Albert | France | 25 | Sunk |
23 May 1917 | Harwood Palmer | United States | 2,885 | Sunk |
23 May 1917 | Lesto | United Kingdom | 1,940 | Sunk |
26 May 1917 | Aristides | Greece | 2,179 | Sunk |
26 May 1917 | Norhaug | Norway | 1,245 | Sunk |
27 May 1917 | Efstathios | Greece | 3,847 | Sunk |
28 May 1917 | Hiram | Norway | 598 | Sunk |
28 May 1917 | Urna | Norway | 2,686 | Sunk |
28 May 1917 | Waldemar | Norway | 1,267 | Sunk |
30 May 1917 | Sørland | Norway | 2,472 | Sunk |
2 June 1917 | Tonawanda | United Kingdom | 3,421 | Damaged |
7 June 1917 | Hafnia | Denmark | 1,619 | Sunk |
29 June 1917 | Lauwerzee | Netherlands | 47 | Sunk |
4 July 1917 | Bestevaer | Netherlands | 1,044 | Sunk |
4 July 1917 | Roelfina | Netherlands | 148 | Captured as prize |
11 July 1917 | Coquimbo | France | 1,759 | Sunk |
15 August 1917 | Phoebe | France | 3,956 | Sunk |
17 August 1917 | Pontoporos | Greece | 4,049 | Sunk |
19 August 1917 | Therese & Marie | France | 1,615 | Sunk |
31 August 1917 | Marques De Mudela | Spain | 1,930 | Sunk |
16 September 1917 | Ann J. Trainer | United States | 426 | Sunk |
23 September 1917 | St. Dunstan | United Kingdom | 730 | Sunk |
SM UC-17 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. She was ordered on 29 August 1915 and launched on 29 February 1916. She was commissioned into the Imperial German Navy on 21 July 1916 as SM UC-17.
SM UC-20 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 1 April 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 7 September 1916 as SM UC-20. In 13 patrols UC-20 was credited with sinking 21 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-20 was surrendered on 16 January 1919 and broken up at Preston in 1919–20.
SM UC-22 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 1 February 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 30 June 1916 as SM UC-22. In 15 patrols UC-22 was credited with sinking 23 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-22 was surrendered to France on 3 February 1919 and was broken up at Landerneau in July 1921.
SM UC-23 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 29 February 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 17 July 1916 as SM UC-23. In 17 patrols UC-23 was credited with sinking 46 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-23 was surrendered at Sevastopol on 25 November 1918 and broken up at Bizerta in August 1921.
SM UC-25 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 10 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 28 June 1916 as SM UC-25. In 13 patrols UC-25 was credited with sinking 21 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. From March to September 1918, she was commanded by Karl Dönitz, later grand admiral in charge of all U-boats in World War II. UC-25 was scuttled at Pola on 28 October 1918 on the surrender of Austria-Hungary.
SM UC-31 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 7 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 2 September 1916 as SM UC-31. In 13 patrols UC-31 was credited with sinking 38 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-31 was surrendered on 26 November 1918 and broken up at Canning Town in 1922.
SM UC-33 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 26 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 25 September 1916 as SM UC-33. In seven patrols UC-33 was credited with sinking 36 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-33 was shelled and then rammed by patrol boat PC61 captained by Frank Worsley at position 51°55′N6°14′W in St. George's Channel on 26 September 1917.
SM UC-35 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 6 May 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 2 October 1916 as SM UC-35. In eleven patrols UC-35 was credited with sinking 48 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-35 was sunk by gunfire from the French torpedo boat Aigli southwest of Sardinia on 16 May 1918 at 39°48′N7°42′E.
SM UC-37 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 5 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 17 October 1916 as SM UC-37. In 13 patrols UC-37 was credited with sinking 66 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-37 was surrendered at Sevastopol on 25 November 1918 and broken up at Bizerta in August 1921.
SM UC-40 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 5 September 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 1 October 1916 as SM UC-40. In 17 patrols UC-40 was credited with sinking 30 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-40 was being taken to surrender but foundered in the North Sea en route on 21 January 1919.
SM UC-45 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 20 October 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 18 November 1916 as SM UC-45. In five patrols UC-45 was credited with sinking 12 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-45 sank in a diving accident on 17 September 1917 in the North Sea. The German salvage vessel Vulkan raised the wreck and UC-45 re-entered service on 24 October 1918. She was surrendered on 24 November 1918 and broken up at Preston in 1919–20.
SM UC-52 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 23 January 1917. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 March 1917 as SM UC-52. In seven patrols UC-52 was credited with sinking 18 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. She notably sank the Italian troopship Verona, killing 880 soldiers. UC-52 was surrendered on 16 January 1919 and broken up at Morecambe.
SM UC-53 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 27 February 1917. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 5 April 1917 as SM UC-53. In eight patrols UC-53 was credited with sinking 47 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-53 was scuttled at Pola on 28 October 1918 on the surrender of Austria-Hungary.
SM UC-59 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916, laid down on 25 March 1916, and was launched on 28 September 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 12 May 1917 as SM UC-59. In nine patrols UC-59 was credited with sinking eight ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-59 was surrendered on 21 November 1918 and broken up at Bo'ness in 1919 – 20.
SM UC-64 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916, laid down on 3 April 1916, and was launched on 23 January 1917. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 22 February 1917 as SM UC-64. In 15 patrols UC-64 was credited with sinking 26 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-64 was mined and sunk in the Dover Strait on 20 June 1918.
SM UC-65 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 8 July 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 7 November 1916 as SM UC-65. In eleven patrols UC-65 was credited with sinking 106 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-65 was torpedoed and sunk by HMS C15 on 3 November 1917.
SM UC-71 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 12 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 28 November 1916 as SM UC-71. In 19 patrols UC-71 was credited with sinking 63 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-71 sank on 20 February 1919 in the North Sea while on her way to be surrendered. Discovery a century later of her wreck with all hatches open suggested she had been deliberately scuttled by her own crew.
SM UC-73 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 26 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 24 December 1916 as SM UC-73. In ten patrols UC-73 was credited with sinking 16 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-73 was surrendered on 6 January 1919 and broken up at Brighton Ferry in 1919 – 20.
SM UC-74 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 19 October 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 26 November 1916 as SM UC-74. In ten patrols UC-74 was credited with sinking 37 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-74 was interned at Barcelona on 21 November 1918 when she ran out of fuel. The U-boat was surrendered to France on 26 March 1919 and was broken up at Toulon in July 1921.
SM UC-79 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I.