German Type UC III submarine
 UC-93 in Italy, 1918 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators |  Imperial German Navy |
| Preceded by | UC II |
| Cost | 3,303,000 German paper marks |
| Built | 1917–1918 |
| In commission | 1918–1919 |
| Planned | 113 |
| Building | 59 |
| Completed | 25 |
| Cancelled | 54 |
| Lost | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | German Type UC III submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam | 5.54 m (18 ft 2 in) (o/a) |
| Draft | 3.77 m (12 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Complement | 32 |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | 15-second diving time |
Type UC III minelaying submarines were used by the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. They displaced 474 tonnes (467 long tons) at the surface and 571 t (562 long tons) submerged, carried guns, 7 torpedoes and up to 14 mines. The ships were double-hulled with improved range and sea-keeping compared to the UC II type. The type had better seagoing, maneuvering and turning capabilities than its predecessor, while underwater stability was reduced.[1]
A total of 113 Type UC III submarines were ordered by the Imperial German Navy, but only 25 U-boats were completed before the Armistice with Germany in 1918. Of those, 16 U-boats actually served in the war. 54 building orders were cancelled in 1918, while 34 U-boats were never completed and broken up in the ship yards.
Design
German Type UC III submarines had a displacement of 491 tonnes (483 long tons) when at the surface and 571 tonnes (562 long tons) while submerged. They had a length overall of 56.51 m (185 ft 5 in), a beam of 5.54 m (18 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.77 m (12 ft 4 in). The submarines were 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 770 metric horsepower (570 kW; 760 shp), and two propeller shafts. They had a dive time of 15 seconds and were capable of operating at a depth of 75 metres (246 ft).[2]
The submarines were designed for a maximum surface speed of 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 6.6 knots (12.2 km/h; 7.6 mph). When submerged, they could operate for 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph); when surfaced, they could travel 9,850 nautical miles (18,240 km; 11,340 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC III-class boats were fitted with six 100-centimetre (39 in) mine tubes, fourteen UC 200 mines, three 50-centimetre (20 in) torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/45 or 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. Their complement was twenty-six crew members.[2]
List of Type UC III submarines
Serving in World War I
There were 16 Type UC III submarines serving with the Imperial German Navy during World War I.
- SM UC-90
- SM UC-91
- SM UC-92
- SM UC-93
- SM UC-94
- SM UC-95
- SM UC-96
- SM UC-97
- SM UC-98
- SM UC-99
- SM UC-100
- SM UC-101
- SM UC-102
- SM UC-103
- SM UC-104
- SM UC-105
Completed after Armistice and surrendered to the Allies
- SM UC-106
- SM UC-107
- SM UC-108
- SM UC-109
- SM UC-110
- SM UC-111
- SM UC-112
- SM UC-113
- SM UC-114
Broken up at yard
- SM UC-80
- SM UC-81
- SM UC-82
- SM UC-83
- SM UC-84
- SM UC-85
- SM UC-86
- SM UC-87
- SM UC-88
- SM UC-89
- SM UC-115
- SM UC-116
- SM UC-117
- SM UC-118
- SM UC-119
- SM UC-120
- SM UC-121
- SM UC-122
- SM UC-123
- SM UC-124
- SM UC-125
- SM UC-126
- SM UC-127
- SM UC-128
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to German Type UC III submarine.
References
Citations
- ^ Gröner 1991, p. 35.
- ^ a b Gröner 1991, pp. 34–35.
Bibliography
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
