German Type UC I submarine

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SM UC 5 afloat.jpg
Type UC I submarine, UC-5
Class overview
Builders AG Weser, Bremen; Vulkan Hamburg;
Operators
Succeeded by UC II
Built1915
In commission1915–1918
Planned15
Completed15
Lost14
Scrapped1
Preserved0
General characteristics
Typecoastal minelaying submarine
Displacement
  • 168 t (165 long tons) surfaced
  • 183 t (180 long tons) submerged
Length
  • 33.99 m (111 ft 6 in) o/a
  • 29.62–29.81 m (97 ft 2 in – 97 ft 10 in) pressure hull
Beam3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
Height6.30 m (20 ft 8 in)
Draught3.04–3.06 m (10 ft 0 in – 10 ft 0 in)
Propulsion
  • 1 shaft
  • 6-cylinder diesel engines, 80–90 PS (59–66 kW; 79–89 bhp)
  • Siemens-Schuckert electric motor, 175 PS (129 kW; 173 shp)
Speed
  • 6.20–6.49 knots (11.48–12.02 km/h; 7.13–7.47 mph) surfaced
  • 5.22–5.67 knots (9.67–10.50 km/h; 6.01–6.52 mph) submerged
Range
  • 780–910 nmi (1,440–1,690 km; 900–1,050 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) surfaced
  • 50 nmi (93 km; 58 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth50 m (160 ft)
Complement14 men
Armament6 × 1 metre (39 in) internal tubes

The Type UC I coastal submarines were a class of small minelaying U-boats built in Germany during the early part of World War I. They were the first operational minelaying submarines in the world (although the Russian submarine Krab was laid down earlier). A total of fifteen boats were built. The class is sometimes also referred to as the UC-1 class after SM UC-1, the class leader. The Italian X-class submarine was a reverse-engineered and modified type of the UC-1-class.

Contents

Design

These submarines were designed by Dr. Werner of the Torpedo Inspectorate, and based on the Type UB I small coastal submarines, with a revised bow section housing inclined minelaying tubes and uprated engines to compensate for the increased displacement and less streamlined form. The boats' sole armament was six internal mine tubes with 12 mines, although UC-11 was fitted with a single external torpedo tube in 1916. They were constructed very quickly, and suffered from problems with their minelaying system, which in some cases caused the mines to become armed before exiting their tubes and explode prematurely.

Type UC I submarines had a displacement of 168 tonnes (165 long tons) when at the surface and 183 tonnes (180 long tons) while submerged. They had a length overall of 33.99 m (111 ft 6 in), a beam of 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in), and a draught of 3.04–3.06 m (10 ft 0 in – 10 ft 0 in). The submarines were powered by one Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft or Benz six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine producing 80–90 metric horsepower (59–66 kW; 79–89 shp), an electric motor producing 175 metric horsepower (129 kW; 173 shp), and one propeller shaft. They were capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft). [1]

The submarines had a maximum surface speed of 6.20–6.49 knots (11.48–12.02 km/h; 7.13–7.47 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 5.22–5.67 knots (9.67–10.50 km/h; 6.01–6.52 mph). When submerged, they could operate for 50 nautical miles (93 km; 58 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, they could travel 780–910 nautical miles (1,440–1,690 km; 900–1,050 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). They were fitted with six 100 centimetres (39 in) mine tubes, twelve UC 120 mines, and one 8 millimetres (0.31 in) machine gun. They were built by AG Vulcan Stettin or AG Weser Bremen and their complement was fourteen crew members. [1]

List of Type UC I submarines

A total of 15 Type UC I submarines were built.

Related Research Articles

SM <i>UC-29</i>

SM UC-29 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 15 July 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 August 1916 as SM UC-29. In an eight-month career, the UC-29 performed seven combat patrols into the Atlantic Ocean during the German war on Allied trade (Handelskrieg). In these patrols she was very successful, sinking 18 allied ships, totalling 21,909 GRT. She also damaged 4 ships of 17,154 GRT. On 7 June 1917 she torpedoed the British Q-ship HMS Pargust off the Irish coast, but was ambushed by her hidden armaments when she approached too close and was sunk with 23 hands. Pargust was commanded by British submarine hunter Gordon Campbell and had on board Ronald Niel Stuart and William Williams, who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions in the engagement.

SM UC-12 was a German Type UC I minelayer submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I.

SM <i>UC-15</i>

SM UC-15 was a German Type UC I minelayer submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 23 November 1914, laid down on 28 January 1915, and was launched on 19 May 1915. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 28 June 1915 as SM UC-15. Mines laid by UC-15 during her eight patrols are credited with sinking 3 ships. UC-15 disappeared in November 1916.

SM UC-16 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 18 June 1916 as SM UC-16. In 13 patrols UC-16 was credited with sinking 43 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-16 disappeared in October 1917. A postwar German study concluded that UC-16 probably sank after striking a mine off Zeebrugge

SM UC-18 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 4 March 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 August 1916 as SM UC-18. In 6 patrols UC-18 was credited with sinking 34 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-18 was sunk by the British Q ship HMS Lady Olive on 19 February 1917.

SM UC-19 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 15 March 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 21 August 1916 as SM UC-19. In three patrols UC-19 was credited with sinking four ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-19 was sunk by depth charges from HMS Leeuwenhoek in the English Channel on 6 December 1916.

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-24 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 4 March 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 August 1916 as SM UC-24. In four patrols UC-24 was credited with sinking 4 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-24 was torpedoed and sunk by French submarine Circé off Molunat, today's Croatia on 24 May 1917. The wreck was found in late 2019 at a depth of 85m, 2 nautical miles from the mainland.

SM UC-26 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 22 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 18 July 1916 as SM UC-26. In nine patrols UC-26 was credited with sinking 39 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-26 was rammed and sunk by HMS Milne off Calais on 8 May 1917.

SM UC-32 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 12 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 13 September 1916 as SM UC-32. In three patrols UC-32 was credited with sinking six ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-32 was sunk by the detonation of one of her own mines on 23 February 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-36 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 10 October 1916 as SM UC-36. In five patrols UC-36 was credited with sinking 24 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-36 was rammed and sunk by the French steamer Molière off Ushant on 21 May 1917.

SM UC-39 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 25 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 31 October 1916 as SM UC-39. In one patrol, UC-39 was credited with sinking three ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-39 was forced to the surface by a depth charge attack and then sunk by gunfire from the British destroyer Thrasher off Flamborough Head on 8 February 1917. Seven crew members died while 17 survived.

SM UC-43 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 October 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 25 October 1916 as SM UC-43. In two patrols UC-43 was credited with sinking 13 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-43 was torpedoed and sunk by HMS G13 north of Muckle Flugga on 10 March 1917.

SM UC-46 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, laid down on 1 February 1916, and was launched on 8 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 September 1916 as SM UC-46. In four patrols UC-46 was credited with sinking 10 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-46 was rammed and sunk southeast of Goodwin Sands by the British destroyer HMS Liberty on 8 February 1917.

SM UC-48 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, laid down on 1 February 1916, and was launched on 27 September 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 6 November 1916 as SM UC-48. In 13 patrols UC-48 was credited with sinking 35 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-48 was severely damaged by a depth charge attack by HMS Loyal on 20 March 1918 that ruptured the fuel tanks. Unable to return to Zeebrugge, the boat was steered to Ferrol, Spain, where she and her crew were interned for the rest of the war. The Spanish authorities removed UC-48's propellers to prevent any attempts at leaving port.

SM UC-49 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 7 November 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 2 December 1916 as SM UC-49. In 13 patrols UC-49 was credited with sinking 26 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-49 was sunk by mine off coast of Flanders on 14 August 1918.

SM UC-50 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 23 November 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 21 December 1916 as SM UC-50. In nine patrols UC-50 was credited with sinking 29 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-50 was sunk by depth charges from British destroyer Zubian in the Dover Strait off Dungeness on 4 February 1918.

SM UC-62 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 9 December 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 8 January 1917 as SM UC-62. In nine patrols UC-62 was credited with sinking 11 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. On 19 March 1917, the submerged Royal Navy submarine HMS E50 suffered damage in a collision UC-62 in the North Sea off the North Hinder Light Vessel. UC-62 struck a mine and sank in the North Sea off Zeebrugge, Belgium, on 14 October 1917.

SM UC-68 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 17 December 1916 as SM UC-68. In two patrols UC-68 was credited with sinking two ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-68 was sunk by the detonation of one of her own mines at Start Point on 13 March 1917.

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