SM U-5 (Germany)

Summary

SM U-5 was a German Type U 5 U-boat built for the Imperial German Navy. She was commissioned 2 July 1910 in Germaniawerft in Kiel. She served in World War I under the command of Kptlt. Johannes Lemmer, with no recorded sinkings of enemy ships on two patrols. She was lost in an accident off the Belgian coast on 18 December 1914, and sank with no survivors - all of her 29 crew members died.

SM U-5 in the Harbour of Kiel (second boat left)
History
German Empire
NameU-5[1]
Ordered8 April 1908[1]
BuilderGermaniawerft, Kiel[1]
Cost2,540,000 Goldmark
Yard number147[1]
Laid down24 August 1908[1]
Launched8 January 1910[1]
Commissioned2 July 1910[1]
FateSunk 18 December 1914
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeGerman Type U 5 submarine
Displacement
  • 505 t (497 long tons) surfaced
  • 636 t (626 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam
  • 5.60 m (18 ft 4 in) (o/a)
  • 3.75 m (12 ft 4 in) (pressure hull)
Draught3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 13.4 knots (24.8 km/h; 15.4 mph) surfaced
  • 10.2 knots (18.9 km/h; 11.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 3,300 nmi (6,100 km; 3,800 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) surfaced
  • 55 nmi (102 km; 63 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph)
Test depth30 m (98 ft)
Boats & landing
craft carried
1 dingi
Complement4 officers, 24 men
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • I Flotilla
  • 1 August – 18 December 1914
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Johannes Lemmer[3]
  • 1 August – 18 December 1914
Operations: 2 patrols
Victories: None

On 4 September 2023, it was announced that the wreck of U-5 was successfully identified.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Rössler 1985, p. 26.
  2. ^ Gröner 1991, pp. 4–6.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Johannes Lemmer". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  4. ^ NWS, VRT (4 September 2023). "Gezonken Duitse duikboten na 100 jaar geïdentificeerd: bemanning nog aan boord". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 September 2023.

Bibliography edit

  • 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.
  • Rössler, Eberhard (1985). Die deutschen U-Boote und ihre Werften: U-Bootbau bis Ende des 1. Weltkriegs, Konstruktionen für das Ausland und die Jahre 1935–1945 [The German Submarines and Their Shipyards: Submarine Construction Until the End of the First World War] (in German). Vol. I. Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-5213-7.
  • Kemp, Paul (1997). U-boats destroyed, German submarine losses in the World Wars. London: Arms & Armour Press. p. 9. ISBN 1-85409-321-5.
  • Stern, Robert C (2002). Battle Beneath the Waves: U-boats at War. Cassell Military Paperbacks. ISBN 0-304-36228-X.

External links edit

  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 5". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 27 February 2007.

51°23′N 3°11′E / 51.383°N 3.183°E / 51.383; 3.183