German submarine U-825

Summary

German submarine U-825 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 19 July 1943 by Schichau-Werke, Danzig as yard number 1588, launched on 16 February 1944 and commissioned on 4 May 1944 under Oberleutnant zur See Gerhard Stoelker.

History
Nazi Germany
NameU-825
Ordered8 June 1942
BuilderSchichau-Werke, Danzig
Yard number1588
Laid down19 July 1943
Launched16 February 1944
Commissioned4 May 1944
Fate
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIIC submarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 230 m (750 ft)
  • Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 19 192
Commanders:
Operations:
  • 2 patrols:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 29 December 1944 – 18 February 1945
  • 2nd patrol:
  • 1 April – 13 May 1945
Victories:
  • 1 merchant ship damaged
    (7,198 GRT)
  • 1 merchant ship total loss
    (8,262 GRT)

Design edit

German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-825 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[2] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[2]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[2] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-825 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, (220 rounds), one 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 and two twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.[2]

Service history edit

The boat's career began with training at 8th Flotilla on 4 May 1944, followed by active service on 1 December 1944 as part of the 11th Flotilla.

Wolfpacks edit

U-825 took part in no wolfpacks.

Fate edit

U-825 surrendered on 13 May 1945 at Loch Eriboll. She was then sunk on 3 January 1946 at 55°31′N 07°30′W / 55.517°N 7.500°W / 55.517; -7.500 as part of Operation Deadlight.

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Ship Name Nationality Tonnage
(GRT)
Fate[3]
27 January 1945 Solør   Norway 8,262 Total loss
27 January 1945 Ruben Dario   United States 7,198 Damaged

References edit

  1. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Gerhard Stoelker". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 43–46.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U-825". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 30 March 2015.

Bibliography edit

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
  • Gröner, Eric; 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.
  • Sharpe, Peter (1998). U-Boat Fact File. Great Britain: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-072-9.

External links edit

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC U-boat U-825". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 29 March 2015.