Summary
SM U-97 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-97 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic.[5] The German unit sank by accident on her way to surrender at position 53°25′N 3°10′E / 53.417°N 3.167°E.
| History | |
|---|---|
 German Empire | |
| Name | U-97 |
| Ordered | 15 September 1915 |
| Builder | Germaniawerft, Kiel |
| Yard number | 261 |
| Laid down | 25 March 1916 |
| Launched | 4 April 1917 |
| Commissioned | 16 May 1917 |
| Fate | Sank 21 November 1918 en route to surrender |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | German Type U 93 submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 3.94 m (12 ft 11 in) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2 × 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) propellers |
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Complement | 4 officers, 32 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | 5 patrols |
| Victories: | |
Design edit
German Type U 93 submarines were preceded by the shorter Type U 87 submarines. U-97 had a displacement of 838 tonnes (825 long tons) when at the surface and 1,000 tonnes (980 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 71.55 m (234 ft 9 in), a pressure hull length of 56.05 m (183 ft 11 in), a beam of 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in), a height of 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in), and a draught of 3.94 m (12 ft 11 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,300 metric horsepower (1,700 kW; 2,300 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two propeller shafts. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 50 metres (160 ft).[1]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16.8 knots (31.1 km/h; 19.3 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 8.6 knots (15.9 km/h; 9.9 mph).[1] When submerged, she could operate for 47 nautical miles (87 km; 54 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,290 nautical miles (15,350 km; 9,540 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-97 was fitted with six 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (four at the bow and two at the stern), twelve to sixteen torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) SK L/30 deck gun. She had a complement of thirty-six (thirty-two crew members and four officers).[1]
Summary of raiding history edit
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 1] | Fate[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 November 1917 | Conovium |  United Kingdom
|
86 | Sunk |
| 22 November 1917 | Elsena | United Kingdom
|
335 | Sunk |
| 22 November 1917 | Hartland | United Kingdom
|
4,785 | Damaged |
| 11 February 1918 | HMS Westphalia |  Royal Navy
|
1,467 | Sunk |
| 2 June 1918 | Argus |  Denmark
|
201 | Sunk |
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
Citations edit
- ^ a b c d e Gröner 1991, pp. 12–14.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hugo Schmidt". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Otto Wünsche (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hans von Mohl". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 97". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 97". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
Bibliography edit
- 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.