SM UC-72

Last updated
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameUC-72
Ordered12 January 1916 [1]
Builder Blohm & Voss, Hamburg [2]
Yard number288 [1]
Launched12 August 1916 [1]
Commissioned5 December 1916 [1]
FateMined in 24 August 1917 [1]
General characteristics [3]
Class and type German 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
Part of:
  • Flandern Flotilla
  • 17 February – 25 August 1917
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Ernst Voigt [4]
  • 5 December 1916 – 25 August 1917
Operations: 8 patrols
Victories:
  • 39 merchant ships sunk
    (58,440  GRT)
  • 2 auxiliary warships sunk
    (259  GRT)
  • 2 auxiliary warships damaged
    (1,529  GRT)

SM UC-72 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 5 December 1916 as SM UC-72. [Note 1] In eight patrols UC-72 was credited with sinking 41 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-72 disappeared after 21 August 1917. [1]

Contents

The wreck of UC-72 was identified by marine archaeologist Innes McCartney off Dover in 2013. [5] The wreck seems to have fallen victim to a mine while inbound from patrol.

Design

A German Type UC II submarine, UC-72 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-72 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 [6]
13 March 1917 Reward Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 172Sunk
24 March 1917 HMT Kings Grey Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 338Damaged
1 April 1917 Eastern Belle Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 97Sunk
26 April 1917 HMD Plantin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 84Sunk
27 April 1917 Good Hope Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 89Sunk
29 April 1917 Bayonnais Flag of France.svg  France 20Sunk
29 April 1917 Eugenie Et Lucie Flag of France.svg  France 34Sunk
29 April 1917 Frere Des Cinq Soeurs Flag of France.svg  France 20Sunk
29 April 1917 Petit Ernest Flag of France.svg  France 20Sunk
1 May 1917 Acacia Flag of France.svg  France 9Sunk
1 May 1917 Antigone Flag of France.svg  France 15Sunk
1 May 1917 Camille Amelie Flag of France.svg  France 21Sunk
2 May 1917 Cancalais Flag of France.svg  France 231Sunk
2 May 1917 Keryado Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 175Sunk
2 May 1917 Victoire Flag of France.svg  France 290Sunk
2 May 1917 Russie Flag of France.svg  France 127Sunk
2 May 1917 Yvonne Flag of France.svg  France 100Sunk
4 May 1917 Mamelena IX Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 115Sunk
4 May 1917 Mamelena XII Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 111Sunk
4 May 1917 Marne II Flag of France.svg  France 250Sunk
4 May 1917 Verdun Flag of France.svg  France 25Sunk
5 May 1917 Nydal Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,809Sunk
6 May 1917 Francesco Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 3,438Sunk
28 May 1917 Detlef Wagner Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 225Sunk
2 June 1917 Ereaga Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2,233Sunk
2 June 1917 Skarpsno Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,766Sunk
2 June 1917 St. Sunniva Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1,140Sunk
3 June 1917 Rosario Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 1,565Sunk
6 June 1917 Saint Eloi Flag of France.svg  France 1,993Sunk
8 June 1917 Sequana Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 5,557Sunk
3 July 1917 Henrik Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 3,928Sunk
7 July 1917 Massapequa Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 3,193Sunk
8 July 1917 Cambronne Flag of France.svg  France 1,863Sunk
8 July 1917 M. I. Mandal Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,886Sunk
8 July 1917 Mary W. Bowen Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 2,153Sunk
9 July 1917 Ceres Flag of France.svg  France 296Sunk
11 July 1917 Anglo-Patagonian Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 5,017Sunk
15 July 1917 Trelissick Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,168Sunk
16 August 1917 Delphic Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,273Sunk
17 August 1917 Meuse II Flag of France.svg  France 5,270Sunk
19 August 1917 HMS Penshurst Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 1,191Damaged
21 August 1917 HS 4 Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 121Sunk
21 August 1917 RB 6 Government Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 800Sunk

Related Research Articles

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SM <i>UC-21</i> German Type UC II minelaying submarine

SM UC-21 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 12 September 1916 as SM UC-21.

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-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-54 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 20 March 1917. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 10 May 1917 as SM UC-54. In eight patrols UC-54 was credited with sinking 18 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-54 was scuttled at Trieste 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-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.

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-77 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 2 December 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 29 December 1916 as SM UC-77. In 13 patrols UC-77 was credited with sinking 34 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-77 was mined and sunk off Flanders on 11 July 1918.

SM UC-78 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 December 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 10 January 1917 as SM UC-78. In twelve patrols UC-78 was credited with sinking 1 warship, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-78 was rammed and sunk by the British steamer Queen Alexandra west of Cherbourg on 9 May 1918.

SM UC-79 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I.

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 Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UC 72". 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: Ernst Voigt (Royal House order of Hohenzollern)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Identification of UC72". Facebook .
  6. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UC 72". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.

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). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 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.
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