SM UC-23

Last updated
History
War Ensign of Germany 1903-1918.svg German Empire
NameUC-23
Ordered29 August 1915 [1]
Builder Blohm & Voss, Hamburg [2]
Yard number273 [1]
Launched29 February 1916 [1]
Commissioned17 July 1916 [1]
FateSurrendered, 25 November 1918; broken up, August 1921 [1]
General characteristics [3]
Class and type German Type UC II submarine
Displacement
  • 417 t (410 long tons), surfaced
  • 493 t (485 long tons), submerged
Length
Beam
  • 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in) o/a
  • 3.65 m (12 ft) pressure hull
Draught3.68 m (12 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph), surfaced
  • 7.0 knots (13.0 km/h; 8.1 mph), submerged
Range
  • 9,430  nmi (17,460 km; 10,850 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) surfaced
  • 55 nmi (102 km; 63 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:
  • Constantinople Flotilla
  • 6 December 1916 – 11 November 1918
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Johannes Kirchner [4]
  • 28 July 1916 - 6 July 1917
  • Kptlt. Freiherr Volkhard von Bothmer [5]
  • 5 July – 14 December 1917
  • Kptlt. Hans Georg Lübbe [6]
  • 15 December 1917 – 14 November 1918
Operations: 17 patrols
Victories:
  • 41 merchant ships sunk
    (37,752  GRT)
  • 5 auxiliary warships sunk
    (4,089  GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (35  GRT)
  • 2 merchant ships taken as prize
    (1,232  GRT)
  • 1 auxiliary warship taken as prize
    (327  GRT)

SM UC-23 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 29 February 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 17 July 1916 as SM UC-23. [Note 1] 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. [1]

Contents

Design

Like all pre-UC-25 German Type UC II submarines, UC-23 had a displacement of 417 tonnes (410 long tons) when at the surface and 493 tonnes (485 long tons) while submerged. She had a length overall 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-23 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 [7]
29 November 1916 Minnewaska Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 14,317Sunk
31 December 1916 Venus Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg  French Navy 281Sunk
21 February 1917 HMS Princess Alberta Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 1,586Sunk
10 June 1917 Kleopatra Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 160Sunk
13 June 1917 Aghios Nicolaos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 120Sunk
14 June 1917 New Zealand Transport Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,481Sunk
18 June 1917 Pannomitis Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 11Sunk
18 June 1917 Xiphias Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 483Sunk
19 June 1917 Jakobus Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 304Sunk
19 June 1917 Maria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 35Sunk
19 June 1917 Raxiarchos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 30Sunk
2 August 1917 HMS Ermine Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 1,777Sunk
6 September 1917 HMT Helgian Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 220Sunk
7 September 1917 HMT By George Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy 225Sunk
21 September 1917 Santo Nicola Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 159Sunk
21 September 1917 Spiridon Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 128Sunk
23 September 1917 Nicolaos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 104Sunk
19 January 1918 Trocas Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,129Sunk
22 January 1918 Evangelistria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 21Sunk
23 January 1918 Birkhall Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,541Sunk
24 January 1918 Aghia Arene Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 16Sunk
24 January 1918 Aghios Johannes Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 14Sunk
20 February 1918 Hagios Nicolaos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 18Sunk
20 February 1918 Maria Archis Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 13Sunk
20 February 1918 Taxi Arches Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 3Sunk
23 February 1918 Aspasia Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 105Sunk
28 February 1918 Hagios Triast Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 22Sunk
11 April 1918 Trud Naval Ensign of Russia.svg  Imperial Russian Navy 610Captured as prize
14 April 1918 Unidentified lighter Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire 100Sunk
14 April 1918 Kazak Naval Ensign of Russia.svg  Imperial Russian Navy 622Captured as prize
14 April 1918 Olga Naval Ensign of Russia.svg  Imperial Russian Navy 327Captured as prize
15 April 1918 Rostov Naval Ensign of Russia.svg  Imperial Russian Navy 1,280Sunk
3 October 1918 Blasios Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 181Sunk
3 October 1918 Evangelistria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 35Damaged
5 October 1918 Hagios Marcos Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 45Sunk
5 October 1918 Maria Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2,159Sunk
5 October 1918 Marigo Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 48Sunk
5 October 1918 Reventazon Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,050Sunk
13 October 1918 Aghion Spiridon Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 21Sunk
13 October 1918 Aghios Georgios Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 130Sunk
13 October 1918 Biolleta Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 99Sunk
13 October 1918 Evangelistria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 41Sunk
13 October 1918 Evangelistrios Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 121Sunk
13 October 1918 Glaros Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 43Sunk
13 October 1918 Iphigenia Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 75Sunk
13 October 1918 Panaghia Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 26Sunk
13 October 1918 Urania Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 23Sunk
15 October 1918 Evangelistria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 24Sunk
15 October 1918 Georgios Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 29Sunk
15 October 1918 Maria Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg  Greece 43Sunk

Related Research Articles

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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-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-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-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-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.

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SM UC-76 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 25 November 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 17 December 1916 as SM UC-76. In two patrols UC-76 was credited with sinking 15 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-76 was surrendered on 1 December 1918 and broken up at Brighton Ferry in 1919 – 20.

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-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 23". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 22 February 2009.
  2. ↑ Tarrant, p. 173.
  3. 1 2 3 Gröner 1991, pp. 31–32.
  4. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Johannes Kirchner". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Freiherr Volkhard von Bothmer". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  6. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hans Georg Lübbe". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UC 23". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 February 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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