SM UC-71

Last updated
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameUC-71
Ordered12 January 1916 [1]
Builder Blohm & Voss, Hamburg [2]
Yard number287 [1]
Launched12 August 1916 [1]
Commissioned28 November 1916 [1]
FateSunk on way to surrender, 20 February 1919 [1]
General characteristics [3]
Class and type Type UC II submarine
Displacement
  • 427  t (420 long tons), surfaced
  • 508 t (500 long tons), submerged
Length
Beam
  • 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in) o/a
  • 3.65 m (12 ft) pressure hull
Draught3.64 m (11 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 12.0 knots (22.2 km/h; 13.8 mph), surfaced
  • 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph), submerged
Range
  • 10,420  nmi (19,300 km; 11,990 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) surfaced
  • 52 nmi (96 km; 60 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth50 m (160 ft)
Complement26
Armament
Notes35-second diving time
Service record [1]
Part of:
  • Flandern / Flandern II Flotilla
  • 3 March 1917 – 13 October 1918
  • I Flotilla
  • 13 October – 11 November 1918
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Hans Valentiner [4]
  • 28 November 1916 – 25 April 1917
  • Oblt.z.S. Hugo Thielmann [5]
  • 26 April – 9 June 1917
  • Oblt.z.S. Reinhold Saltzwedel [6]
  • 10 June – 13 September 1917
  • Oblt.z.S. Ernst Steindorff [7]
  • 14 September 1917 – 28 January 1918
  • Oblt.z.S. Walter Warzecha [8]
  • 29 January – 13 August 1918
  • Oblt.z.S. Eberhard Schmidt [9]
  • 14 August – 11 November 1918
Operations: 19 patrols
Victories:
  • 53 merchant ships sunk
    (105,217  GRT)
  • 10 auxiliary warships sunk
    (5,533  GRT)
  • 16 merchant ships damaged
    (73,546  GRT)
  • 1 warship damaged
    (1,250 tons)
  • 1 auxiliary warship damaged
    (543  GRT)

SM UC-71 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 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. [Note 1] 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. [1] Discovery a century later of her wreck with all hatches open suggested she had been deliberately scuttled by her own crew (all of whom survived). [10]

Contents

Design

A Type UC II submarine, UC-71 had a displacement of 427 tonnes (420 long tons) when at the surface and 508 tonnes (500 long tons) while submerged. She had a length overall of 50.35 m (165 ft 2 in), a beam of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.64 m (11 ft 11 in). The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 300 metric horsepower (220 kW; 300 shp) (a total of 600 metric horsepower (440 kW; 590 shp)), two electric motors producing 620 metric horsepower (460 kW; 610 shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft). [3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) and a submerged speed of 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 52 nautical miles (96 km; 60 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 10,420 nautical miles (19,300 km; 11,990 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC-71 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]

Summary of raiding history

DateNameNationalityTonnage [Note 2] Fate [11]
30 March 1917 Edernian Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,588Damaged
30 March 1917 Saint Louis III Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 97Sunk
30 March 1917 Sarcelle Flag of France.svg  France 49Sunk
31 March 1917 Primrose Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 113Sunk
3 April 1917 Ellen James Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 165Sunk
4 April 1917 Pensiero Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 2,632Sunk
5 April 1917 Gower Coast Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 804Sunk
5 April 1917 San Fulgencio Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1,558Sunk
7 April 1917 Caminha Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 2,763Sunk
9 April 1917 Themistoclis Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 1,895Sunk
9 April 1917 Valhall Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 750Sunk
10 April 1917 Ranvik Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 5,848Sunk
12 April 1917 Edelweiss Flag of France.svg  France 192Sunk
18 April 1917 Heim Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,669Sunk
23 April 1917 Cenobic Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 16Sunk
2 May 1917 Westland Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 108Sunk
5 May 1917 Simon Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 150Sunk
15 May 1917 Boreas Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 192Sunk
16 May 1917 Hendrika Johana Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 134Sunk
17 May 1917 Jakoba Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 107Sunk
17 May 1917 Mercurius Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 80Sunk
18 May 1917 Annetta Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 177Sunk
14 June 1917 Wega Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 839Sunk
15 June 1917 Wapello Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,576Sunk
26 June 1917 Normandy Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 543Damaged
28 June 1917 Marne Flag of France.svg  France 4,019Sunk
29 June 1917 Driskos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 2,833Sunk
3 July 1917 Orleans Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 2,853Sunk
4 July 1917 Snetoppen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2,349Sunk
6 July 1917 Løvstakken Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,105Sunk
6 July 1917 Victoria 2 Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2,798Sunk
8 July 1917 Vendee Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,295Sunk
3 August 1917 Aube Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,837Sunk
4 August 1917 Afrique Flag of France.svg  France 2,457Damaged
4 August 1917 Cairnstrath Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,128Sunk
7 August 1917 Port Curtis Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,710Sunk
8 August 1917 HMS Dunraven Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 3,117Sunk
6 September 1917 Elisabethville Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 7,017Sunk
7 September 1917 Mont de Piete Flag of France.svg  France 38Sunk
7 September 1917 Kleber Flag of France.svg  France 277Damaged
8 September 1917 Setubal Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,201Sunk
9 September 1917 HMS Myosotis Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 1,250Damaged
10 September 1917 Vikholmen Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 494Sunk
22 September 1917 Matti Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2,139Damaged
22 September 1917 Trongate Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,553Sunk
23 September 1917 Hornsund Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,646Sunk
24 September 1917 Leka Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,845Sunk
31 October 1917 Estrellano Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 1,161Sunk
5 November 1917 USS Alcedo Flag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy 983Sunk
16 November 1917 Naalso Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 135Sunk
6 December 1917 HMT Apley Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 222Sunk
6 December 1917 Wyndhurst Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 570Sunk
6 December 1917 Braeside Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 569Sunk
24 December 1917 Luciston Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,877Sunk
25 December 1917 Espagne Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1,463Sunk
25 December 1917 Hyacinthus Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,756Damaged
27 December 1917 P. L. M. 4 Flag of France.svg  France 2,640Sunk
28 December 1917 Fallodon Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,012Sunk
28 December 1917 HMD Piscatorial II Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 93Sunk
29 December 1917 HMT Sapper Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 276Sunk
18 January 1918 HMT Gambri Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 274Sunk
20 January 1918 Harmonides Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,521Damaged
23 January 1918 Aalesund Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 414Sunk
14 February 1918 Atlas Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,090Sunk
19 February 1918 Athenic Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,078Damaged
19 February 1918 Commonwealth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,353Sunk
8 March 1918 Saba Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,257Damaged
12 March 1918 Clarissa Radcliffe Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,754Damaged
12 March 1918 Savan Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,264Damaged
13 March 1918 Londonier Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1,870Sunk
14 March 1918 HMT Agate Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 248Sunk
14 March 1918 Comrie Castle Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,173Damaged
7 April 1918 Highland Brigade Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,669Sunk
12 April 1918 Luis Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,284Sunk
10 May 1918 Amplegarth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 3,707Sunk
15 May 1918 Pennyworth Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,388Damaged
20 May 1918 Manchester Importer Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,028Damaged
26 June 1918 Raranga Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 10,040Damaged
31 July 1918 HMD City of Liverpool Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 88Sunk
4 August 1918 Waipara Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 6,994Damaged
5 August 1918 Polescar Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,832Damaged

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

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UC 71". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  2. Tarrant, p. 173.
  3. 1 2 3 Gröner 1991, pp. 31–32.
  4. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hans Valentiner (Royal House Order of Hohenzollern)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  5. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hugo Thielmann". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  6. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Reinhold Saltzwedel (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  7. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Ernst Steindorff (Royal House Order of Hohenzollern)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  8. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Walter Warzecha (Royal House Order of Hohenzollern)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  9. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Eberhard Schmidt". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  10. "German crew sank own submarine after First World War to prevent it falling into Allied hands". Daily Telegraph. 7 Dec 2023.
  11. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UC 71". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 10 December 2014.

Bibliography

  • Bendert, Harald (2001). Die UC-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918. Minenkrieg mit U-Booten (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN   3-8132-0758-7.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN   0-85177-593-4.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN   978-0-87021-907-8. OCLC   12119866.
  • Tarrant, V. E. (1989). The U-Boat Offensive: 1914–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN   978-0-87021-764-7. OCLC   20338385.

54°10′N7°54′E / 54.167°N 7.900°E / 54.167; 7.900