{"id":3365,"date":"2018-02-11T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2018-02-11T07:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.naval-encyclopedia.com\/?p=3365"},"modified":"2018-02-11T08:00:13","modified_gmt":"2018-02-11T07:00:13","slug":"german-submarines-ww1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbodesign.com\/ww1\/germany\/submarines.php","title":{"rendered":"WW1 German Submarines (U-Boats)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/a> Germany (1901-1918)
\nAbout 630 subs*<\/strong>
\n\n<\/div>\n

The invention of submarine warfare:<\/strong> Germany did not invented the submarine but its use in a large scale. That new concept was the submarine warfare, which almost had better result at sea when on land all offensives failed. So strong was this idea that it resurfaced in ww2, with greater force and technology. It made the submarine, just like the aviation, a credible military asset, being taken seriously by naval staff around the world.<\/p>\n

For invention, there were many contenders in this field, some quite ancient, and as such, this is a global technological, collective improvement over the years rather than an “invention” out of the blue, just like the steam engine. We can however cite the Brandtaucher (1851) <\/strong>as the earliest known German sub (soon called “unterseeboote”, literally undersea boat). <\/p>\n

\n

Brandtaucher<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

This prototype created by inventor and engineer Wilhelm Bauer<\/strong> was built by Schweffel & Howaldt in Kiel, as a proposal to the Prussian Navy.
\nFound during a 1887 dredging and salvaged, this pioneering boat is now exhibited at the Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Dresden. Another early attempt was 1870′ Frederich Otto Vogel’s own prototype that sank on trials.<\/p>\n

*Great total of constructions launched including those just started and never completed. The real total of completed boat was about 450.<\/small>
\n\"\"
\nBrandtaucher, 1851, the first German submarine. She sank in Kiel at her first trial.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Story of the Brandtaucher:<\/strong>
\nThe Brandtaucher (“Fire Diver”) was an early German submarine designed in 1850 by the inventor and engineer Wilhelm Bauer which holds the distinction of being one of the first submarines in history. It was originally constructed for the then Prussian navy during the First Schleswig War (1848), as a response to the naval blockade imposed by Denmark. Its method of attack was to sneak in by night and attach explosives to the hulls of some of the blockading vessels. The idea was already explored by Bushnell during the American revolution and by Fulton in the war of 1812. Brandtaucher was Built at the Schweffel & Howaldt shipyard in Kiel, measuring 8.07 meters (26.5 feet) long, made from wrought boiler iron. It was manually powered by a crew of three, turning a crankshaft connected to a propeller. It had ballast tanks that could be filled with water for submerging, emptied to surface. It was tested in 1851 in the harbor of Kiel but had a structural failure caused by water pressure and sank but remarkably, Wilhelm Bauer and his two crew members managed to escape by equalizing the internal pressure with the surrounding water, making it one of the earliest recorded submarine rescues. It was later recovered in 1887, cleaned and restored, now preserved at the Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr in Dresden, Germany as a historical milestone in the evolution of submarine technology and naval engineering.<\/p>\n

Early U-Boats<\/h2>\n

There was a gap before the Nordenfelt<\/strong> design came up in the 1880s. Thorsten Nordenfelt<\/strong>, a Swedish inventor and industrialist founded the world-famous Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Company, ltd. in London, and his QF guns by Helge Palmcrantz became a staple of naval warfare throughout the world. His firm later merged with Maxim<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

In the meantime, a conversation with reverend George Garrett drove him to design steam submarines somewhat inspired by civil war era confederate CSS Stonewall Jackson<\/strong> and David<\/strong>, or contemporary semi-submerged torpedo-rams like the British Polyphemus<\/strong>, and of course Garrett’s own Resurgam<\/strong> (1879).
\nThe Nordenfelt I<\/strong> was built in Bolinders in Stockholm in 1884-1885 and briefly used by the Greek Navy, while the Ottoman Navy later ordered several boast of the Nordenfelt II type built in Turkey with British parts and the German n\u00b0WW1 and n\u00b0WW2 built on Nordenfelt blueprints in 1890.<\/p>\n

\"Nordenfelt
\nGerman Nordenfelt design – possibly a rendition of the WW1 or 2. src: unknown<\/em><\/p>\n

In 1902, Spanish submarine designer R. L. D’Equevilley<\/strong>, was rebuffed by the German Navy while attempting to put up his candidature, especially by Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz that estimated his submarine was too experimental. However D’Equevilley directly sold his plans to the Krupp Germania shipyard.
\nThese plans would serve to design the 40-foot “Forel” on speculation using electricity and batteries a bit like “Gymnote” and the sub was later sold to Russia not before being tested by an impressed Kaiser Wilhelm II and his brother admiral. <\/p>\n

The Spanish engineer then published a book on the young history of submarines going as far as stating the appearance of U-Boats may put an end to naval battles.
\nKrupp next the “Karp”-like improved design was more practical as they fitted a gasoline engine to ride on the surface, and an onboard battery reloading system, of which Russia ordered three and one for the German Navy which became the U-1 (see below).<\/p>\n

\n

Forelle<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"\" Kiel and its Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft dockyard Forelle<\/strong> in 1904 was indeed the first German practical submarine. The design was in part funded by the Russians, built on Spanish blueprints. Raimondo Lorenzo D\u2019Equevilley-Montjustin’s design would ater also apply to the U-1. This first single-hull boat had internal ballast and compensating tanks.
\nShe was given two Whitehead torpedoes and was quite agile thanks to diving planes and aft planes, but there was a single engine so she has to be released close to her objective. At the time she was completed the Russo-Japanese War ended.
\nShe was conducted from Kiel to Liep\u0101ja and commissioned at Kronstadt and then was on rail again, on the Trans-Siberian Railway to Vladivostok where she joined the Pacific fleet. Then by 1908 she was versed to training, and sank later in 1910 by accident. She was salvaged but never repaired.<\/p>\n

\"forelle\"<\/a>
\nThe Forelle (“Trout”) was known for being one of the earliest operational submarines in history, Designed and built by Johann Schaffhausen and Raimund Kirchhoff, marking a significant advancement in naval technology. Constructed in 1903 at Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel she was the built as a private venture and intended for export as Admiral Hipper at the time did not saw this new technology in a favourable way. Unlike its predecessors, the Forelle demonstrated practical combat capabilities, and was instrumental to design further models such as U1. As a small electric-powered submarine of 13 meters (42.6 feet) in length she was powered by electric motors, with batteries providing energy, for short runs of silent underwater operation. Her design included ballast tanks for submerging and surfacing, as well as basic controls for steering and depth adjustments. <\/p>\n

After successful trials she was provided to Russia in 1904 for use in the Russo-Japanese War<\/a>. The idea was to (again) disrupt the Japanese blockade of Port Arthur so her short range imported little. She was transported by rail to the Pacific and briefly served with the Russian navy before being decommissioned and scrapped. In any case, this prototype demonstrated the feasibility of modern submarines and paved the way for U-1. Its compact size and innovative features made it perfect for small coastal units used in reconnaissance and coastal defense. It also quickstarted the expertise in submarine at Germaniawerft, later became the leading manufacturer of submarines in both world wars.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSinking of the Linda Blanche out of Liverpool (Cityofarts), by Willy St\u00f6wer (1864\u20131931).<\/em><\/p>\n

The prewar admiralty program (U1-U31)<\/h2>\n

Until 1904 von Tirpitz’s opinion of submarines was negative, but after the Forelle’s success he ordered the Torpedoinspektion (\u2018torpedo inspection\u2019, a department of the Reichsmarineamt, responsible for all development of this new underwater weapon) to design a genuine submarine. The Navy having little experience with this new field of technology, a submarine was ordered from Germaniawerft at the same time for comparative purposes, but important design alterations compared to the boats built for Russia delayed the commissioning of U 1 until 1906.
\nThe Navy-designed boat U 2 was laid down at the Imperial Yard, Kiel and not launched before 1908. In the following year a certain rivalry grew up between Germaniawerft, which had the better knowledge of submarine technology based on the boats they had already successfully built (U 3, U 4 for Austria-Hungary and Kobben for Norway) and the Torpedoinspektion, which had the better design capability. <\/p>\n

The controversy died down when d\u2019Equevilley left Germaniawerft, and both parties worked well together thereafter.
\nThe results of this co-operation were U 5-8, the first boats of the Imperial German Navy which were not only trials vessels but had a certain operational value.
\nIn the years 1910\u201311 the first tactical trials were undertaken, but received a severe setback after the sinking of U 3 in a diving accident on 17 November 1911. <\/p>\n

One of the most important problems of this first stage of submarine design was that of propulsion, the first boats having extremely dangerous gasoline and petroleum combustion engines because the development of a reliable lightweight diesel was running into great problems; it was not until U 19 that the first diesel became operational.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nA 88 mm gun at Ward Park Bangor<\/em><\/p>\n

After the \ufb01rst exercises in 1910\u201411 the Torpedoinspektion presented its \ufb01rst scheme for U\u2014boat deployment which would be acceptable to the German High Seas Fleet: in 1912.
\nIn its major points it asked for:
\nlx 36 U-boats in a perimeter patrol securing the Heligoland Bight,
\ncomposed of 24 operational boats and 12 boats in reserve.
\n2x 12 U-boats for the defence of Kiel Bay in the Baltic.
\n3x 12 U-boats for offensive operations in the North Sea.
\n4x 10 U-boats as material reserve.
\nIn line with the general emphasis on a surface battleline and the lack of operational experience this was essentially a defensive concept, but nevertheless it requested a total of 70 U-b’oats to be built by 1919, funded by additional special budgets.<\/p>\n

Also in 1912 it was decided to purchase a diesel-propelled sub-marine from F iat-Laurenti at La Spezia to gain experiences with foreign diesel technology; delivery was scheduled for 1915 but never took place due to the outbreak of war.
\nIn this \ufb01rst six years of German submarine construction it had shown that the Torpedoinspektion was overstrained by handling all aspects of what had grown into an entirely new service with complex needs, so the Inspektion des U\u2014Bootwesens (Submarine Inspection) was founded as a new independent administrative body.<\/p>\n

The pre\u2014war period of German U-boat development shows a steady improvement in technology. Experience was gained rapidly and the bene\ufb01ts were incorporated into each successive types.
\nTherefore the typology splits up into many different variants depending on the builder and \ufb01scal year whose signi\ufb01cant improvements were not apparent in the silhouette but only in internal details. This steady development was abruptly broken when war broke out.
\nIn 1914, the submarine arm of the Imperial German Navy comprised 20 battle\u2014ready U-boats, plus a further 15 in commission or under construction, and the Germans immediately switched to a mobilisation programme, the \ufb01rst so called types being U 51 and U 56. <\/p>\n

However it was soon evident that completion times of such sophisticated weapons would be too great, considering the expected short duration of this war. Immediately after the outbreak of hostilities the U-Bootsinspektion was asked in August 1914 for preliminary studies for a small, single-shaft U-boat capable of railway transportation in sections.
\nAlthough this concept was rejected at \ufb01rst, the occupation of the Belgian coast quickly led to further pressure to develop both a torpedo and minelaying type. <\/p>\n

In September 1914 the later UB type was chosen out of a variety of designs, and one week later the \ufb01rst 15 units were ordered, the prototype boat UB I being built within a hundred days. One month later the design for the minelaying UC type had reached a stage where 15 units could be ordered.<\/p>\n

Development<\/h3>\n

U-1 was an improved Kiel design based on the Forelle, still based on plans by Spanish engineer D\u2019Equevilley but tis time combining gasoline engine and a battery reload system.
\nCombining good surface speed to underwater depht and range, she became not only the first U-boat but also the most successful submarine worldwide. This single unit was followed by to Csarist Russia as part of a submarine export deal also comprising three Karp class boats.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCompared outlines of German WW1 U-boats<\/em><\/p>\n

The controversy died down when d\u2019Equevilley left Germaniawerft, and both parties worked well together thereafter. The results of this co-operation were U 5\u20148 , the \ufb01rst boats of the Imperial German Navy which were not only trials vessels but had a certain operational value.
\nIn the years 1910\u201411 the \ufb01rst tactical trials were undertaken, but received a severe setback after the sinking of U 3 in a diving accident on 17 November 1911.
\nOne of the most important problems of this \ufb01rst stage of submarine design was that of propulsion, the \ufb01rst boats having extremely dangerous gasoline and petroleum combustion engines because the development of a reliable lightweight diesel was turning into greater problems. It was not until U-19 that diesel U Boat truly became Operational, the \ufb01rst diesel of the kind.<\/p>\n

The numbers of the first two series were deliberately and could gain experience under battle conditions and incorporate the lessons into the next series.
\nTo explain German submarine typology it is necessary to note that UA was a submarine under construction for the Norwegians and that the UD types were those under construction for the Austro-Hungarian Navy, all of which were taken over by the Imperial German Navy after their completion. <\/p>\n

Because of the delicate status of Commerce warfare in international law great emphasis was laid on submarine minelayers, and as early as January January 1915 the design for the ved UE type was ready. Unlike its rather primitive forerunner, the UC type, it carried its 34 mines in dry stowage and had two TT in the deck structure for active hunting. <\/p>\n

A further variant (UF) would have had an all-torpedo armament and thus represented the logical approach to a small, quickly built mass-production coastal submarine, but was rejected in favour of ocean-going Ms type U-boats.<\/p>\n

Therefore the design and ordering policy for German U-boats also mirrors the frequent changes in administrative direction outlined in the introduction. The German ‘war-zone declaration had been promulgated on 1 February 1915, and consequently some two dozen Oceanic Ms type submarines were ordered.<\/p>\n

But the major bottleneck was the delivery of the diesel engines, so design switched back to the coastal types of which the improved UB II and UC II types emerged in the spring of 1915. The enlarged Ms type Project 43’ (U 115, U 116), with a 20 per cent increase in radius of action was not put forward until the autumn of 1915. <\/p>\n

The unrestricted U-boat war envisaged in the spring of 1916 nevertheless revealed a shortage simple, mass-produced boats for torpedo-based commerce Wartalo around the British Isles. The resulting design was a compromise bet ween the ocean-going Ms types and a scaled-up coastal UB design:
\nThe UB III type in which the added offensive component (4 more spare torpedoes) was paid for with decreased speed and endurance compared with the basic U 19 type.
\nBecause of increasing material and manpower shortages the first orders were not placed until May 1916, the boats not being delivered before the summer of 1917.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nModel kit cutout of an UB-III<\/em><\/p>\n

After the abandonment of the first attempt at unrestricted U-boat warfare in March 1916 for political reasons, the Admiralty ordered designs for large submarine-cruisers with bin guns capable of commerce warfare according to Prize Laws.
\nOperational and handling experience with such large vessels had already been gained with the clumsy merchant submarines of the Deutschland class.
\nThe only bottleneck was still the high-power diesels needed to obtain the requested high surface speeds. Nevertheless U-cruisers of the types 46 and 46a were designed, and in August 1916 the first such boats (U 139-U 141) were ordered by postponing the Ms types U 111-U 114 and U 127 U 130. <\/p>\n

The former merchant submarines were also converted into U-cruisers and commissioned as U 151-U 157, since their intended role was nullified when the USA entered the war, so in the final analysis of the U-cruisers were merely a design answer to the requirements of a type of warfare that had become obsolescent by the declaration of the unrestricted U-boat war. <\/p>\n

What Germany needed now were UB III types – for the same reasons as one year previously – and indeed they were ordered in great numbers up to February 1917 (UB 88-UB 132). <\/p>\n

After the highest priority had finally been given to U-boat production in June 1917, a further 95 were ordered: <\/p>\n

37 UB III types UB 133\u2013169, 39 UC III types (improved minelayer) UC 80-UC 118, 10 U-cruisers U 173\u2013U 182 and 9 Ms types U 164\u2013U 172, which were scheduled for completion between the summer of 1918 and January 1919. Because of earlier efforts the number of operational German U-boats in the First World war.
\n\"\"
\nSubmarine fear: War bond propaganda poster – Llandovery Castle.<\/em><\/p>\n

War was at its peak in October 1917 with 140 units, but by then it was too late, as von Tirpitz had foreseen: the Allies had introduced the convoy system in May and had developed new ASW techniques and weapons in the previous years. <\/p>\n

After some changes in priorities the programme of June was revised in December 1917 and increased to 120 units, which meant that 11 shipyards had to work around the clock and that all other construction had to be curtailed. <\/p>\n

Nevertheless increasing material shortages and manpower problems caused by food shortages and a nationwide influenza epidemic in the spring of 1918 proved that the schedules could not be kept in any fashion.
\nThe German spring offensive in France finally collapsed in August 1918 and when Admiral Scheer became the new Commander in chief in the same month, he was backed by von Hindenburg and Ludendorff in his insistence that all efforts must be concentrated on U-boat construction and warfare to regain the offensive at sea, since the war could not be won in continental land battles: the necessary material and manpower would be taken from the Army’s allocations. <\/p>\n

This resulted in the ambitious ‘Scheer programme’ which asked for an increase in the number of completed U-boats by a further third.
\nWhile exhausting conferences took place on how to ensure the necessary steel production, diesel production, shipyard capacity and manpower, the general situation worsened after the collapse of Bulgaria in September. <\/p>\n

Without any chance of realisation the preparatory steps of the \u2018Scheer programme’ were pushed forwards because Scheer regarded a strong submarine force as an important bargaining counter in coming peace negotiations.
\nIn the meantime German politics had drastically changed with the new Imperial Chancellor Max von Baden, who initiated steps for an armistice.
\nUp to the last moment German naval authorities obviously grossly underestimated the Allied determination to wipe out the German submarine force completely.<\/p>\n

\"Poster<\/a>
\nSupport Us<\/a><\/p>\n

During the war the following German submarines were sold to Austria-Hungary: UB 1 became Unterseeboot 10, UB 15 became Unterseeboot II, UB 43 became Unterseeboot 43 and UB 47 became Unterseeboot 47;
\nThe renumbering of German U-Boats operating in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic is covered in the Austro-Hungarian section.
\nUB 8 was sold to Bulgaria. Unlike World War Two no intact German U-boat was captured but two sunken coastal submarines were raised and put into commission: <\/p>\n

Italy raised UC 12 and renamed her X 1; France raised UB 26, which was renamed Lieutenant Morillot. From 1906 to 1918 the Imperial German Navy ordered a total of 811 U-boats, out of which 343 were commissioned. <\/p>\n

134 of them were lost in action, 42 by mines, 17 were lost by accident (some of them raised and recommissioned), 14 were scuttled by their crews, mostly in the Black Sea or in Austrian ports at the end of war, 8 were interned in Sweden and Portugal, but had to be delivered after the armistice, the total of surrendered U-boats making 175, 19 of which were lost by accident during the transfer tow to British ports. <\/p>\n

Of the nearly completed boats 9 were scrapped in Germany after the war, as were 69 lying unfinished on the slips. Note that these figures cannot be added up to a single total since many of the boats appear in two or three of the above-mentioned fates.<\/p>\n

The surrendered U-boats were redistributed amongst the Allies, Britain scrapping its share, the USA getting U 111, U 117, U 140, UB 88, UB 148 and UC 97, which were finally sunk as trials targets. The Netherlands were allowed to retain the raised UC 8 which was commissioned as M 1. Japan received U 46 (renamed O 2), U 55 (O 3), U 125 (O 1), UB 125 (O 6), UB 143 (O 7), UC 90 (O 4) and UC 99 (O 5), which were soon scrapped. Italy got U 54, U 114, U 163, U 120, UB 80, UB 95, UB 102, UC 93, UC 94 and UC 98 all of which were immediately scrapped. France’s share reads as follows, the names of the recommissioned boats being given in brackets (all others were scrapped): U 25, U 38, U 39, U 57, U 71, U 79 (Victor R\u00e9veille), U 91, U 105 (Jean Autric), U 108 (L\u00e9on Mignot), U TD, U 157, U 160, U 162 (Pierre Marast), U 166 (Jean Roulier), U 110) U 119 (Ren\u00e9 Audry), U 121, U 136, U 151, UA, UB 6, UB 8, UB – UB 24, UB 73, UB 84, UB 87, UB 94 (Trinit\u00e9 Schillemans), UD (Carrissan), UB 114, UB 121, UB 154, UB 155 (Jean Corre), U UC 23, UC 27, UC 28, UC 56, UGC 58, UC 74, UC 100, UC UC 104, UC 107 and U 139 (Halbronn).<\/p>\n

\n

U1 (1906)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U1\"\/
\nThis was the very first U-Boote (“unterseeboote – submarine boat”) of Germany – A country which was going to manufacture and design more of these than any other Nation in history.
\nIn 1900, William II had no other ambition than to endow his empire with a Hochseeflotte capable of fighting in equal terms with the Royal Navy of his cousin Edward VII of England. Submarines received therefore low priority.
\nIf two other submersibles were tested in 1891 and 1897, the first modern U-Boote was defined at Howaldswerke yards by Spanish engineer d’Ecquevilley, a former teamworker of Gustave Laubeuf, and his right-hand man. <\/p>\n

\"\"
\nShe beared some similarities with the “Narval”, being in essence also a “submersible torpedoboat”, good walker on the surface. Despite the reluctance of Tirpitz, the dedicated department of the Reichsmarineamt was authorized to resume research works started with the Forelle, carried out with the three “Karp” sold to Russia.
\nThe U1 was equipped with K\u00f6rting kerosene engines, efficient and reliable.
\nShe did, however, had a removable evacuation tube that caused quite long flipping maneuvers before any dive.
\nNevertheless, this ship which carried out tests until the end of her short working life (1919) was a brilliant precursor.
\nShe was removed from the lists but the builder purchased her back, well aware of the historical significance of these symbolic units in 1919, and donated her to the Munich Museum where she can be seen today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions:<\/p>\n\n 238t\/283t (surface\/underwater) 42,4 x 3,8 x 3.2 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion:<\/p>\n\n 2 shafts, 2 kerosene engines, 2 electric engines, 400\/400 hp. 10,8\/8,7 knots s\/dive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew:<\/p>\n\n 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament:<\/p>\n\n 3 x450 mm TTs bow <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U2 (1906)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

SM U-2 was a German U-boat built for the Imperial German Navy, a prototype sometimes called the “Type U 2” was built, ordered from Kaiserliche Werft of Danzig on 4 March 1906 and launched on 18 June 1908, commissioned into the Imperial German Navy on 18 July 1908 at a Cost of 1,548,000 Goldmark.
\nOn 18 July 1908 she was commissioned under command of Lt. Cdr. Karl Bartenbach and went straight to the training flotilla. She was used for training, having no war patrols to her credit, mostly static in WWI. She was used as such until the surrender. She was decommissioned on 19 February 1919 and sold for BU on 3 February 1920.<\/p>\n

The official design was based on what naval chief architect Gustav Berling prepared in 1905 for the U 1. This was a so-called “double-hull boat” designed for coastal patrol, just as U1 was still being built. Her K\u00f6rting parrafin engines were rated for 441 kW (600 hp). But they were adopted by default as new diesel engines from Daimler could not be provided. They were retrofitted in 1910 still. The two Siemens SSW electric motors installed had a good output but operation of the dynamo proved difficult. Also on trials, both her agility and general seaworthiness left a lot to be desired.<\/p>\n

Technically speaking, this was a much refined Kiel design, longer, larger but with the same draught and significantly heavier than U1, better powered for a knot more on average surfaced and underwater, thanks to two Daimler 6-cylinder four stroke paraffin motors rated for 600 PS (440 kW; 590 shp) at 550 rpm surfaced and when submerged, two SSW electric motors rated for 630 PS (460 kW; 620 shp) total, at 685 rpm. The shafts were large at 1 m (3 ft 3 in). Top speed was thus better at 13.2 kn (24.4 km\/h; 15.2 mph) surfaced and 9 knots (17 km\/h; 10 mph) submerged. <\/p>\n

But overall, she had a greater range at 1,600 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 13 knots (24 km\/h; 15 mph) surfaced compared to 1,500 nmi (2,800 km; 1,700 mi) at 10 knots for U1 but the same underwater at 50 nautical miles (93 km; 58 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km\/h; 5.8 mph). She was capable of a test depth of 30 m (98 ft), and under her outer deck she carried a dingy for ship to shore travel.
\nHer complement was of 3 officers, 19 men and for the first time she had a fill battery of two internal (pressure hull) torpedo tubes, a pair each at the bow and stern for four inside the tubes and two reloads, six total 45 cm (18 in) torpedoes. Again, this compared well to U1’s single tube with 3 C\/03 torpedoes in reserve. See a profile and photo on uboot-recherche.de<\/a>. No CC photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions:<\/p>\n\n 341 t surfaced, 430 t submerged, 45,42 x 5,5 x 3.05 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion:<\/p>\n\n 2 shafts Daimler 6-cyl 2 stroke Parrafin engines, 2 electric engines, 600\/630 hp. 13.2\/9 knots s\/uw<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew:<\/p>\n\n 3+19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament:<\/p>\n\n 4 x450 mm TTs bow, stern (6 torpedoes)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U3 (1908)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U2\"\/
\nThe U2 was produced two years after the U1, and unlike the first, she was launched at the imperial shipyard of Kiel.
\nIn the course of Howaldswerke, the shipyard was inspired both by her forerunner and the French Narval (Ecquevilley then drove the engineering office of the submersible branch). She also incorporated the lessons learned by the construction of U3 and Austro-Hungarian U4, and the Norwegian Kobben.
\nLaunched in June, operational at the end of 1908, the U2 passed test batteries before retiring in 1919.
\nShe was also the first German training submarine. Although larger, her autonomy (46 tons of oil against 20) and surface speed were much higher, as her carrying capacity rose to 6 torpedoes vs 3 on the U1.
\n\"U1\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\nCutouts of the U-1 in Munich Deutsche Museum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 341\/430 tonnnes surface\/uw – 45,4 x 5,5 x 3,1 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 kerosene Daimler engines, 2 electric engines, 630\/600 hp. 13,2\/9 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"
\nU-3 and other submarines at Kiel in 1914<\/em>
\n\"U3\"\/
\nU3 and U4 represented the first “serie” of German submersibles. They were built in Danzig, launched in 1909 and operational in early 1910.
\nSignificantly larger than the U2, the U3 and her twin had characteristics that would be duplicated on the following series. Their surface speed was slightly retreating, but their diving speed increased.
\nMoreover their crew was left unchanged thus the hull felt less cramped. The U3 suffered a diving accident which cost her the entire crew.
\nShe was later refloated but was never operational again in 1914, being used instead to test new systems and as a training vessel.
\nThe U4 also spent her career as training sub, but conducted some patrols in the Baltic sea, in 1914-18. She will be broken up in 1919.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nU-3 and other submarines at Kiel, 1914<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 421\/510 tonnes surface\/dive – 51,3 x 5,6 x 3,1 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 kerosene Daimler engines, 2 electric engines, 600\/1030 hp- 11,8\/9,5 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

U5 (1910-11)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U5\"\/
\nThe U5 was the first of a series of four units, with U6, 7, and 8. They were built at Germaniawerft, Kiel, on plans directly inspired by the U3. They were even bigger, this time reaching 500 tons, and their propulsive power was doubled (4 engines instead of 2).
\nAs a result, they surface speed was 13.5 knots while their diving speed was increased further. They also had a better range, carrying 54 tons of fuel oil, for a 1900 nautical mile (3500 km) radius of action.
\nThey were also operational and fought during the first two years of the war, in 1914 and 1915, but were destroyed: The U5 hit a mine, the U6 was torpedoed by HMS E16, the U7 was accidentally torpedoed by U22, and the U8 was sunk by two destroyers (Maori and Gurkha, of the “Tribal” class).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 505\/636 tonnes surface\/dive – 57,3 x 5,6 x 3,6 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 900\/1040 hp – 13,4\/10,2 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U9 (1910)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U9\"\/
\nThe U9 was the first in a series of four submersibles built at Danzig and closely derived from the U5. Their length was unchanged, but their width was increased by 40 cm while their draft was 50 cm lower. Their surface speed was increased from 13.4 to 14.2 knots, while their underwater speed was 8 knots.
\nTheir engine power was greater, but their fuel oil supply was reduced by two tons and their autonomy, with a superior displacement regained 100 nautical miles on the surface.
\nThese four units were heavily committed in action, only U9 surviving the war. The U10 hit on a mine in May 1916, U11 on December 9, 1914, and U12 was rammed by HMS Ariel on March 10, 1915.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nU-9 at sea, date unknown<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 493\/611 tonnes surface\/dive – 57,4 x 6 x 3,1 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 1050\/1160 hp – 14,2\/8,1 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U13 (1911)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U13\"\/
\nThe U13 was the class leader of three units built in Danzig and closely derived from the U9, but also the U16 built by Germaniawerft and almost similar (significantly lower displacement, one more knot in surface).
\nA little larger than the U5-U9, they fried the 58 meters and the draft was now 3.40 meters.
\nThe power of Kerosene K\u00f6rting machines was the same as that developed by the batteries: 1200 hp. As a result, the surface speed climbed to 14.8 knots while diving speed was 10.7 knots, the best so far.
\nThe hulls of these units did not differ much from the others, having the same sections and an almost intangible kiosk, the same armament and the same crew from the U2. They paid a heavy price early in the war, the U13 being sunk by gunfire on August 9, 1914, the U14 rammed by trawler HMS Hawk in June 1915 and U15 by the cruiser HMS Birmingham the same day.
\nThe U16, for her part survived only to be captured and then towed to Great Britain in 1919, but sank during her transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 489\/627 tonnes surface\/dive – 57,8 x 6 x 3,4 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 1200\/1200 cv – 14,8\/10,7 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U17 (1912)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U17\"\/
\nU17 and U18 were built in Danzig on new blueprints. The goal was mainly to create units with a higher autonomy, and they reached indeed 6700 nautical in surface at 8 knots (cruising speed) against 2100 at 15 knots on older units. Their submerged speed was in regression, but their surface speed jumped only slightly.
\nThe more powerful K\u00f6rting engines were also later used. Diesels were being developed for the new generation of U-bootes, a winning formula as we know. For the rest, the armament did not change.
\nThe U17 was assigned as an instructional submarine from 1916 and the U18 was sighted and sunk by Scapa Flow’s coastal batteries, attempting to approach on the surface by night the famous Naval Base. The feat would be realized in 1939 by G\u00fcnter Prien with the U47.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 564\/837 tonnes surface\/dive – 62,4 x 6 x 3,4 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 1400\/1120 hp – 14,9\/9,5 knots s\/dive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U19 (1912)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U19\"\/
\nThe U19 class (4 units) was the first class in the world of Diesel-powered submersibles. The revolutionary formula invented by German engineer born in Paris Rudolf Diesel in 1897 at the MAN factory changed the game.
\nThe engine also operated with vegetable oils at the origin, the first “multifuel”… The Danzig shipyards that launched this first series, were followed quickly by Germaniawerft ones.
\nMAN thus succeeded K\u00f6rting, with one of the longest commission and licensed production in industrial history. These engines allowed a much faster dive and were more powerful and significantly more economical, reaching an autonomy of 7600 nautical. <\/p>\n

But this class also introduced for the first time 500 mm tubes, more likely to sink better protected military ships, and a 88 mm deck gun, which could constitute a significant complement when U-Bootes were supposed to have spent their 6 torpedoes, or to defend themselves instead of being systematically forced to dive. These four units all survived the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 650\/837 tonnes surface\/dive – 64,2 x 6,1 x 3,6 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 1700\/1200 hp – 15,4\/9,5 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x500 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes, 1x 88mm gun<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U23\/U27\/U31 “Mittel-U” (1913-14)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U23\"\/
\nThe U23 class (4 units) or “mittel-U”, was the second class equipped with Diesels, a copy of the U19 by Germaniawerft, from the large imperial shipyard of Kiel, recovering the MAN license and conceiving its own diesels, six cylinders two-stroke.
\nThe latter gave 100 hp more than the U19 MANs, the surface speed being increased to 16.7 knots. The diving speed was also higher as well as the autonomy.
\nThey were also heavier, equipped with a double-hull and able to dive to 50 meters with a dive time of 2 minutes and 13 seconds.
\nThey had only one 88 mm gun, but in 1915, a second was added, even a 105 mm on some units. The U27 class (4 units in 1913) built in Danzig had an improved diving time of 80 seconds.
\nFinally the U31 class, developed in 1914, was designed by Germaniawerft as a war series of 11 boats, the last being launched in November 1914. They were a little heavier but similar to the U27.
\nThe U35 was by far the one with the best hunting board of any war: 225 ships! She was led by Prussian Ace De la P\u00e9riere. 12 of these submersibles were lost during the war in all. The characteristics below are those of U31:<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nU-27 Kiosk<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 685\/878 tonnes surface\/dive – 64,7 x 6,3 x 3,5 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 1850\/1200 hp – 16,4\/9,7 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x500 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"
\nU-boats at Kiel in 1914<\/em><\/p>\n

German U-Boats in the Great war<\/h2>\n

Wartime saw a rapid increase in production and capabilities as tremendous successes were soon registered, the like of which will never repeat in WW2.
\nSuccesses came quickly, and various U-boat commanders soon registered impressive hunting boards of dozens of ships. This was before 1917, when the surface fleet was all but retired from operations, and submarine total war was approved by the Kaiser. <\/p>\n

Unfortunately this move backfired as the Lusitania, carrying American citizens was sunk, angered the opinion and bring the Wilson further from the war, while not a decisive factor. The late consequence was to unleash the full might of American industrial capabilities, with the delivery of hundred of destroyers at the end of 1918.
\nCoupled with British comparable efforts since 1915, new dispositions, tactics like protected convoys and Q-ships, the balance started to reverse in favor of the allies.
\nBut German submarine development grow both in quantities and quality as budget and motivation was redirected to this effort.
\nSome of these late submarines were so advanced they were copied after comprehensive study through war reparations by all navies.
\nSuch was the aura of German U-Boat expertise that despite Versaille treaty interdiction, the Hague Bureau in the 1930s was producing effectively export submarines derived from these 1918 designs. Another aspects was the diversity of models. <\/p>\n

Germany launched at first decent mid-range types, not truly oceanic either coastal. But after years of development, they reached three standards:
\n-The Oceanic type: U71, 81, 87, 93 classes.
\n-The cruiser types: Very long range (capable to crosse the Atlantic or reach the Pacific): Deutschland, U139, U142, U151.
\n-The coastal classes (UB): UA, UB 1, 18, 48
\n-The coastal minelayer classes UC1, 16, 80.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThree armoured cruisers torpedoed and eliminated the same day, U-9′ Otto Weddingen feat was never repeated but showed to stunned admiralties what this new weapon can do<\/em>
\nThe time of U-boat German Aces<\/strong>
\nThis era saw U-9 of commander Kapit\u00e4nleutnant Otto Weddigen sinking in one swoop three British armored cruisers, the Cressy, Hogue and Aboukir, the action of 22 September 1914. <\/p>\n

The two cruisers stopped to assist rescuing the crews in turn. Submarine capabilities were known but not entered mentalities yet, still dominated by surface warfare on sight. This was the era of the first aces, and submarine aces were perhaps less glamour and popular than their airborne counterparts but not less successful.
\nLet’s cite only because the chapter would cover an entire post of its own, the most prominent U-Boat aces has been overall a Prussian of French noble descent since 1757, Lothar von Arnauld de la Peri\u00e8re<\/strong>. Not only he was the most succesful U-boat commander of the Great War, but of history as well. <\/p>\n

He claimed 194 ships for 453,716 tons. He was punctilious about respecting rules of engagement for civilian ships, ensuring they had evacuated all personnel and passengers and knew the safe route to a port before destroying the ship.
\nHe often preferred dynamite placed by a boarding party of his gun to sink the ship rather than using his torpedoes.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nU-38 at sea, a prewar submarine<\/em><\/p>\n

There were many other submarine aces, no less impressive: Walther Forstmann (147), Max Valentiner (150), Otto Steinbrinck, Hans Rose (90), Walther Schwieger (49), Reinhold Saltzwedel (111) and many other with 50+ “kills”. In comparison, the best WW2 submarine ace was Otto Kretschmer (47 ships).
\nIt should be noted however that if numerous kills were obtained in the early part of the war, the bulk were obtained following the “unrestricted submarine warfare” in six month, 3\/4 million tonnes were sunk, which barely made a dent in the considerable British merchant marine.
\nThe allied however were not that successful with early countermeasures, and from 1917 adopted the Dazzle camouflage (with again mixed results), and the “Type D” deep charge became available in January 1916. By the end of the year only two U-boats has been reported sunk by these. https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/U-boat_Campaign_(World_War_I)<\/p>\n

\n

U43 (1914-15)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U43\"\/
\nThe 8 units of the U43 class (the U42 was commissioned to the Italians, especially to have an overview of the FIAT diesels, and requisitioned and integrated into the Italian Navy in August 1914 under the name of Balilla). They were designed and built by Danzig at the beginning of the war.
\nThey were marked by a hull and a kiosk completely revised in light of the very first operations. These ships were marked by a higher draft, and a displacement approaching 1000 tons underwater. They had a dive time of 1 minute and 45 seconds, and were armed “as standard” with two 88 mm KL\/30 (Kaliber 30) guns, but during the conflict, a single 88 mm or 105 mm gun was sometimes adopted. From 1916, U43 and U44 were rebuilt and re-equipped as minelayers. There were 5 losses in action and one scuttled in Nov.1918. The U46 was awarded to Japan as war reparation, becoming O2, but was broken up in 1922.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nU-45<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 725\/940 tonnes surface\/dive – 65 x 6,2 x 3,7 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 4 kerosene K\u00f6rting engines, 2 electric engines, 2000\/1200 hp – 15,2\/9,7 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x500 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U57 (1916-17)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U57\"\/
\nThe 12 boats of the U57 class (U57-U62 and U99-U104) were built for the first time by a third yard hitherto little interested in this type of units.
\nBut the need for large oceanic submersibles required new contractors to the Admiralty. They came from AG Weser in Bremen, the U99 being a variant of the U27.
\nTheir performances were in withdrawal. The U57s had modified hull flanks, a remodelled kiosk, and like the U51, two 88 mm guns and 7 torpedoes for 4 tubes (first group), and 10-12 for the second group.
\nSome units were armed with a 105 mm piece, and three units (U58 to U60) received a 105 mm KL\/45 used for AA defence at the same time as a 88 KL\/30. There were 8 losses in action.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRear of the u-57 at Cherbourg<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 810\/927 tonnes surface\/dive – 68,4 x 6,3 x 4 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels, 2 electric engines, 2200\/1200 cv – 16,5\/9 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x500 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U63 (1916)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U63\"\/
\nThese three great oceanic submersibles were the work of Germaniawerft. They were derived from the U51 but improved, especially with a diving time brought back to only 50 seconds and more powerful diesels.
\nFrom the end of 1916, a 105 mm KL\/45 was placed to the front. The U64 was sunk by armed trawlers HMS Lychais and Partridge II in June 1918, the U65 was scuttled in October 1918 and the U63 was reformed in 1919 and broken up in 1920.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 786\/954 tonnes surface\/dive – 67 x 6,3 x 3,8 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels, 2 electric engines, 1800\/1200 hp – 14,7\/8,4 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 4 x500 mm TTs 2 bow, 2 stern, 6 torpedoes, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

U87 (1916-17)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U87\"\/
\nThese were 6 oceanic types were built in Danzig, and launched in 1916-17, completed for the last -U92- in November 1917. Improved but very close to the previous classes, including the U81, they were able to dive in 56 seconds.
\nThey had a mixed armament, an 88 mm KL\/30 and a 105 mm KL\/45, on the U91 and 92, the latter being replaced by a 105 mm KL\/45 AA. Their normal storage was 6 torpedo tubes for 12 torpedoes in reserve.
\nAll but two were lost in operations: The U87 was sunk by two escorts in December 1917, the U88 hit a mine in June 1916, shortly after entering service, the U89 was rammed and sunk by the Roxburgh in February 1918, and the U92 hit a mine in September 1918.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 757\/998 tonnes surface\/dive – 65,8 x 6,2 x 3,9 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels MAN 6c 4t, 2 electric engines, 2400\/1200 cv – 15,6\/8,6 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 6 x500 mm TTs 4 bow, 2 stern, 12 torpedoes, 1x 105mm, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"
\nU-86 at sea<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

U93 (1916-17)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U93\"\/
\nThis was probably the last great class of oceanic submarines, before the experiments of “submersible cruisers”. First to reach 1000 tons when diving, they had a radius of action of 8300 nautical miles (15 300 km).
\nTheir only apparent limitation was their lack of space for other torpedoes, although the torpedoes may arrive in many neutral ports or by anonymous supply ships.
\nA total of 24 units were completed out of 41 ordered in 1916, in two groups, the first at Germaniawerft, and the second (U160-172 and 201-212) at Bremer Vulkan.
\nMost of the second groups were never operational in time or even completed by 30 to 75% when the armistice came, the last two never even started.
\nBased on the U86 but enlarged, they had Germaniawerft diesels for the first group, MAN and electric engines developing no less than 1230 hp for those of Vegesack.
\nThey could dive in 66 seconds, and were variably armed, most of them having two 105-mm pieces, others only one, others a 88-piece and a 105-or-105 standard gun, which was the configuration of most surviving units at the end of 1918. 7 units were lost in combat and the U111 was offered to the US in war reparation.
\nThe latter studied her extensively, then used her as a target ship, sank in 1919. The others were broken up in 1919-22 in accordance with the Versailles treaty.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nEn route to surrender, 1918<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 838\/1000 tonnes surface\/dive – 71,6 x 6,3 x 3,9 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels Germania 6c 2t, 2 electric engines, 2400\/1200 cv – 16,8\/8,6 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 6 x500 mm TTs 4 bow, 2 stern, 12 torpedoes, 1x 105mm, 1x 88mm gun, 1x 7.7mm MG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

U139 (1917-18)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U139\"\/
\nThese units were called “UK” for “Unterseeboote Kreuzer”. These three great oceanic types were built by Germaniawerft at Kiel. They were launched in December 1917-January 1918 and operational by May-June 1918. This was the second class of this type after the U151, but they were improved in all respects.
\nLarger, capable of reaching 15.2 knots instead of 14 knots in surface, but reduced to 17,750 nautical miles against 25,000. They were also less well armed, but partially armoured with 30 to 25 mm thick (kiosk, ammunition well) plates. They also embarked a catch crew, a 20-man naval infantry company.
\nThey survived the war and were given in war reparation, the U139 (KL Schwieger) to France (Halbronn, which served until 1935), the U140 to the USA (studied and then used as a target in 1921) and the U141 (KL Weddingen) to UK (studied, then scrapped in 1923). They greatly influenced allies concepts of oceanic submersible cruisers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 1930\/2485 tonnes surface\/dive – 92 x 9,1 x 5,3 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels MAN 6c 4t, 2 electric engines, 3300\/1690 hp – 15,3\/7,6 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 6 x500 mm TTs 4 bow, 2 stern, 19 torpedoes, 2x 150 mm KL\/45 , 2x 88 mm KL\/30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"\"
\nU-105 at Cherbourg
\n\"\"
\nU-111 at sea in 1919, on its way to be a war reparation
\n\"\"
\nU-135 at sea<\/p>\n

\n

U142 (1918)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"U142\"\/
\nThese submersible cruisers were by far the last and most ambitious of this type built in Germany. Inspired by the U139s but even larger (nearly 2,800 tons underwater), they had an improved torpedo carrying capacity (24 against 19 torpedoes), and a range of 20,000 nautical miles (37,000 km).
\nThe series was to comprise 37 units and more in total, construction spread over four yards, including Germaniawerft (3 units), Vulcan, Bremer (2 launched) and Blohm & Voss.
\nOnly one unit was accepted into service, the U142, in November 10, 1918. She did not have the opportunity to patrol and was immediately taken over for demilitarization.
\nThese units used 4-stroke MAN 10-cylinder diesels manufactured under license. A third 150mm was planned for the units of the end of 1918. None being completed outside the U142, they were all broken up in slips between 1919 and 1920<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 2175\/2791 tonnes surface\/dive – 97,5 x 9,1 x 5,4 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 MAN diesels MAN 10c 4t, 2 electric engines, 6900\/2600 hp – 17,5\/8,5 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 6 x500 mm TTs 4 bow, 2 stern, 24 torpedoes, 2x 150 mm KL\/45 , 2x 88 mm KL\/3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 86<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

UA (1914)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"UA\"\/
\nThe UA was a single coastal building commissioned by Norway under the name A5. Completed in Kiel in August, she was requisitioned by the Kaiser and incorporated under the name of UA (Unterseeboote A?). She had some excellent performances, could dive in 75 seconds to 50 meters.
\nBeing unique and not integrating a category of the Hochseeflotte, he made some sorties and was in 1916 used as a training ship, until the end of the war. She was broken up in 1920.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 270\/342 tonnes surface\/dive – 47,6 x 4,8 x 2,9 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 diesels Germania 6c 4t, 2 electric engines, 700\/380 cv – 14,2\/7,3 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 3 x450 mm TTs 2 bow, 1 stern, 4 torpedoes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

UB-I (1915)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"UB-I\"\/
\nFrom the beginning of the war, the Admiralty saw the advantage of deploying mass-produced, low-cost units from advanced bases (such as the ports of Holland and Belgium).
\nIt was also possible to deploy such a curtain of units as a trap, for example by dragging the bulk of the Royal Navy by some battlecruisers into the Skaggerak Strait, in order to compensate for the numerical inferiority of the Hochseeflotte. These cheap UBs were produced in two groups at Germaniawerft (Kiel) and Weser at Bremen.
\nThe first were launched in January 1915 and the last, UB17, in April. These very simplified and slow units could dive in 33 seconds to 50 meters.
\nThey carried only 2 torpedoes, housed in their respective tubes, and 3 to 3.5 tons of fuel oil, for a radius of action of 2780 km, thanks to Daimler or K\u00f6rting diesel engines.
\nThey were assembled in sections, which allowed them to be transported by rail (to Pola or Antwerp). Two units, UB1 and 15 were integrated in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. There were a total of 7 losses in combat and one scuttled on 17 units.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nUB-2 and UB-16<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 127\/142 tonnes surface\/dive – 28,1 x 3,2 x 3 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 diesels 4c 4t, 2 electric engines, 60\/120 cv – 6,5\/5,5 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 1 x450 mm TTs 4 bow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n

UB-II (1915-16)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"UB-2\"\/
\nThis second class of coastal units was defined from the UB-Is, with a markedly improved radius of action (from 15,000 to 11,900 km) and a higher speed (9 knots instead of 5). This challenge was met with two diesels instead of one.
\nThe hull was similar, but there were two propellers. Diving safety threshold was always 50 meters, but the dive time ranged from 30 to 45 seconds.
\nToo large to be transported by rail, two units were however bought by the Austro-Hungarians and conveyed to Pola. The others operated from the Belgian and German coasts.
\n30 were built, launched from August 1915 to June 1916, by Blohm & Voss shipyards in Hamburg and Weser in Bremen.
\nTheir armament varied, some having a 88 mm gun instead of their usual 50 mm. No less than 19 were lost in action, and one scuttled in 1918.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 263\/292 tonnes surface\/dive – 36,1 x 4,4 x 3,7 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 diesels K\u00f6rting\/Daimler\/Benz, 2 electric engines, 270\/285\/280 hUB-45p – 9\/5,8 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 2 x500 mm TTs 2 bow 6 torpedoes, 2x 50 mm KL\/40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"UB-45\"
\nUB-45<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

UB-III (1917-18)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"UB-III\"\/
\nThis last class of coastal units was also by far the most prolific of the war and the most successful. Some would say that they largely inspired post-war clandestine designs and especially the mythical type VII of 1936 at the end of the line.
\n130 units were planned, finally 92 were completed before the end of hostilities (UB-48 to UB-219). Their range started 13,300 to 16,700 km, they were almost more oceanic than true coastal.
\nThey were built in four large groups at Blohm & Voss, Weser, Vulcan and Germaniawerft, launched from January 1917 to November 1918 – and broken up without being completed, for the latter. They had a double hull and were known to dive more than 50 meters.
\nThey were also much better armed, carrying no less than 10 torpedoes for 5 tubes, 88 mm guns and often 105 mm guns (systematically from the UB88) and were much faster in surface.
\nThere were 37 losses in combat, 4 scuttled in October 1918 and a dozen units delivered to the Allies as war reparation (UK, France, Italy, Japan). The 3 units delivered to France served until 1935 and greatly influenced the design of its first interwar coastal types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Specifications<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Displacement & Dimensions: 516\/651 tonnes surface\/dive – 55,3 x 5,8 x 3,7 m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 K\u00f6rting\/Daimler\/MAN\/AEG diesels, 2 electric engines, 1100\/780 hp – 13,5\/7,5 knots s\/dive.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Armament: 5 x500 mm TTs 4 bow, 1 stern, 10 torpedoes, 1x 88 mm KL\/30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crew: 35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

\"UB-86
\nUB-86 grounded at Falmouth with another submarine in 1921<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nUB-148 at sea<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

UC-I (1915)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

\"UC
\nOn the same principle as the UB, the admiralty studied at the same time a coastal minesweeper for mass production. Small UC1s had a lot in common with UB1s. They were built in Vulcan and Weser in two groups, the first launched in April 1915 and the last in July with 15 units.
\nAgain, single hull, simplified ballasts, Daimler engine and single propeller, the standard 100 cm UC120 mines are stored in a series of 6 oblique silos in the center and front, each for two gears. There was no room for a torpedo tube, but the UC-11 served as an experimental ship, being equipped with an external 450 mm tube.
\nThey could dive to 50 meters but their lack of armament made them somewhat vulnerable, as their low speed.
\nTheir range was from 1440 to 1680 km. They were extensively deployed on the Belgian coast and 13 were lost in action. Another was scuttled and one was stranded and captured.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nUC-5 in British service<\/em><\/p>\n