SM UC-65

Summary

SM UC-65 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 8 July 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 7 November 1916 as SM UC-65.[Note 1] In eleven patrols UC-65 was credited with sinking 106 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-65 was torpedoed and sunk by HMS C15 on 3 November 1917.[1][7]

History
German Empire
NameUC-65
Ordered12 January 1916[1]
BuilderBlohm & Voss, Hamburg[2]
Yard number281[1]
Launched8 July 1916[1]
Commissioned7 November 1916[1]
FateTorpedoed and sunk by HMS C15 on 3 November 1917[1]
General characteristics [3]
Class and typeGerman Type UC II submarine
Displacement
  • 427 t (420 long tons), surfaced
  • 508 t (500 long tons), submerged
Length
Beam
  • 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in) o/a
  • 3.65 m (12 ft) pressure hull
Draught3.64 m (11 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 12.0 knots (22.2 km/h; 13.8 mph), surfaced
  • 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph), submerged
Range
  • 10,420 nmi (19,300 km; 11,990 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) surfaced
  • 52 nmi (96 km; 60 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth50 m (160 ft)
Complement26
Armament
Notes35-second diving time
Service record
Part of:
  • Flanders Flotilla
  • 3 February – 3 November 1917
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. / Kptlt. Otto Steinbrinck[4]
  • 10 November 1916 – 31 July 1917
  • Kptlt. Max Viebeg[5]
  • 1 August – 3 September 1917
  • Kptlt. Claus Lafrenz[6]
  • 4 September – 3 November 1917
Operations: 11 patrols
Victories:
  • 101 merchant ships sunk
    (115,360 GRT + Unknown GRT)
  • 1 warship sunk
    (11,000 tons)
  • 4 auxiliary warships sunk
    (858 GRT)
  • 9 merchant ships damaged
    (60,233 GRT + Unknown GRT)
  • 1 warship damaged
    (850 tons)
  • 2 auxiliary warships damaged
    (8,283 GRT)

Design edit

A German Type UC II submarine, UC-65 had a displacement of 427 tonnes (420 long tons) when at the surface and 508 tonnes (500 long tons) while submerged. She had a length overall of 50.35 m (165 ft 2 in), a beam of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.64 m (11 ft 11 in). The submarine was 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 620 metric horsepower (460 kW; 610 shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) and a submerged speed of 7.4 knots (13.7 km/h; 8.5 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 52 nautical miles (96 km; 60 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 10,420 nautical miles (19,300 km; 11,990 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC-65 was fitted with six 100 centimetres (39 in) mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.[3]

Summary of raiding history edit

Date Name Nationality Tonnage[Note 2] Fate[8]
8 February 1917 Guillaume Tell   France 148 Sunk
8 February 1917 Mary Ann   United Kingdom 17 Sunk
10 February 1917 Sallagh   United Kingdom 325 Sunk
11 February 1917 Lycia   United Kingdom 2,715 Sunk
11 February 1917 Olivia   United Kingdom 242 Sunk
11 February 1917 Voltaire   United Kingdom 409 Sunk
12 February 1917 Pinna   United Kingdom 6,288 Damaged
13 February 1917 Friendship   United Kingdom 37 Sunk
13 February 1917 Zircon   United Kingdom 48 Sunk
14 February 1917 Ferga   United Kingdom 791 Sunk
14 February 1917 Greenland   United Kingdom 1,753 Sunk
14 February 1917 Inishowen Head   United Kingdom 3,050 Sunk
14 February 1917 Margarita   United Kingdom 375 Sunk
15 February 1917 Afton   United Kingdom 1,156 Sunk
15 February 1917 Kyanite   United Kingdom 564 Sunk
16 February 1917 Queenswood   United Kingdom 2,710 Sunk
16 February 1917 Ville De Bayonne   France 1,301 Sunk
19 February 1917 Alice   France 18 Sunk
19 February 1917 Brigade   United Kingdom 425 Sunk
19 February 1917 Justine Marie   Belgium 16 Sunk
19 February 1917 Saint Louis De Gonzague   France 53 Sunk
19 February 1917 Skrim   Norway 727 Sunk
19 February 1917 Violette   France 36 Sunk
25 February 1917 Saint Joseph   France 42 Sunk
25 February 1917 Vigda   Norway 1,851 Sunk
26 February 1917 Alberdina   Netherlands 134 Sunk
26 February 1917 Algiers   United Kingdom 2,361 Sunk
26 February 1917 Hannah Croasdell   United Kingdom 151 Sunk
27 February 1917 Brunette   France 104 Sunk
27 February 1917 HMT Evadne   Royal Navy 189 Sunk
28 February 1917 Marie Joseph   France 192 Sunk
28 February 1917 Sjøstad   Norway 1,155 Sunk
1 March 1917 Germaine   France 24 Sunk
1 March 1917 Bout De Zan   France 13 Sunk
1 March 1917 Diamond Cross   Belgium 29 Sunk
1 March 1917 Drina   United Kingdom 11,483 Sunk
1 March 1917 Elise II   France 48 Sunk
1 March 1917 Elorn   France 603 Sunk
1 March 1917 General Radiguet   France 24 Sunk
1 March 1917 HMHS Glenart Castle   Royal Navy 6,824 Damaged
1 March 1917 Homocea   France 58 Sunk
1 March 1917 Joseph Adolphine   France 21 Sunk
1 March 1917 N.D. de Lourdes   France 47 Sunk
1 March 1917 Reine des Anges   France 47 Sunk
1 March 1917 Saint Joseph   France 20 Sunk
1 March 1917 Sainte Famille   France 25 Sunk
1 March 1917 Seigneur   France 53 Sunk
1 March 1917 Sarus   United Kingdom Unknown Damaged
24 March 1917 Bruyere   France 100 Sunk
24 March 1917 Ennistown   United Kingdom 689 Sunk
24 March 1917 Fairearn   United Kingdom 592 Sunk
24 March 1917 Howe   United Kingdom 175 Sunk
24 March 1917 Korsnaes   Norway 732 Sunk
25 March 1917 Adenwen   United Kingdom 3,798 Sunk
25 March 1917 Brandon   United Kingdom 130 Sunk
25 March 1917 Fringante   France 124 Sunk
25 March 1917 Poseidon   Greece 2,589 Sunk
27 March 1917 Kelvinhead   United Kingdom 3,063 Sunk
28 March 1917 Ardglass   United Kingdom 778 Sunk
28 March 1917 Dagali   Norway 742 Sunk
28 March 1917 Harvest Home   United Kingdom 103 Sunk
28 March 1917 Laima   Russian Empire 148 Sunk
28 March 1917 Snowdon Range   United Kingdom 4,662 Sunk
28 March 1917 Wychwood   United Kingdom 1,985 Sunk
28 March 1917 Guillemot   United Kingdom Unknown Sunk
30 March 1917 HMS Puma   Royal Navy 1,459 Damaged
6 April 1917 Thelma   Norway 1,350 Sunk
7 April 1917 Lapland   United Kingdom 18,565 Damaged
9 April 1917 City of New York   United States 10,798 Damaged
26 April 1917 Agnes Cairns   United Kingdom 146 Sunk
26 April 1917 Athole   United Kingdom 150 Sunk
26 April 1917 Bretagne Et Vendee   France 79 Sunk
27 April 1917 Burrowa   United Kingdom 2,902 Sunk
28 April 1917 Alu Mendi   Spain 2,104 Sunk
1 May 1917 Helen   United Kingdom 322 Sunk
1 May 1917 Ivrig   Norway 1,197 Sunk
1 May 1917 W. D. Potts   United Kingdom 112 Sunk
2 May 1917 Amber   United Kingdom 401 Sunk
2 May 1917 Derrymore   United Kingdom 485 Sunk
2 May 1917 Dora   United Kingdom 296 Sunk
2 May 1917 Earnest   United Kingdom 111 Sunk
2 May 1917 Morion   United Kingdom 299 Sunk
2 May 1917 Saint Mungo   United Kingdom 402 Sunk
2 May 1917 Taizan Maru   Japan 3,527 Sunk
4 May 1917 New Design No.2   United Kingdom 66 Sunk
4 May 1917 Pilar De Larrinaga   United Kingdom 4,136 Sunk
4 May 1917 Strumble   United Kingdom 45 Sunk
4 May 1917 Victorious   United Kingdom 39 Sunk
7 May 1917 Maude   United Kingdom 93 Sunk
8 May 1917 San Patricio   United Kingdom 9,712 Damaged
22 May 1917 HMT Merse   Royal Navy 296 Sunk
17 June 1917 HMT Fraser   Royal Navy 310 Sunk
17 June 1917 HMS Tartar   Royal Navy 850 Damaged
18 June 1917 Gauntlet   United Kingdom 58 Sunk
18 June 1917 Væring   Denmark 2,157 Sunk
19 June 1917 Morinier   United Kingdom 3,804 Damaged
24 June 1917 Aghia Paraskevi   Greece 2,795 Sunk
24 June 1917 Constantinos   Greece 3,014 Sunk
24 June 1917 Kong Haakon   Norway 2,231 Sunk
24 June 1917 Taigetos   Greece 2,961 Sunk
25 June 1917 Petritzis   Greece 3,692 Sunk
28 June 1917 Lizzie Ellen   United Kingdom 114 Sunk
20 July 1917 Fluent   United Kingdom 3,660 Sunk
26 July 1917 HMS Ariadne   Royal Navy 11,000 Sunk
27 July 1917 Bellagio   United Kingdom 3,919 Damaged
27 July 1917 Candia   United Kingdom 6,482 Sunk
28 July 1917 Saint Emilion   France 1,112 Sunk
19 August 1917 General Dutemple   France 585 Sunk
25 August 1917 Garm   Norway 725 Sunk
25 August 1917 Nerma   Denmark 689 Sunk
29 August 1917 Laura C. Anderson   United States 960 Sunk
31 August 1917 Erissos   Greece 2,885 Damaged
1 September 1917 Peronne   France 3,342 Sunk
25 September 1917 Paolina   United States 1,337 Sunk
3 October 1917 Tasmania   Kingdom of Italy 3,662 Sunk
18 October 1917 HMD Comrades   Royal Navy 63 Sunk
31 October 1917 North Sea   United Kingdom 1,711 Sunk
2 November 1917 Branksome Hall   United Kingdom 4,262 Damaged

Notes edit

  1. ^ "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.
  2. ^ Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

References edit

Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UC 65". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  2. ^ Tarrant, p. 173.
  3. ^ a b c Gröner 1991, pp. 31–32.
  4. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Otto Steinbrinck (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  5. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Max Viebeg (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  6. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Claus Lafrenz (Royal House Order of Hohenzollern)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  7. ^ *McCartney, Innes (2002). Lost patrols : submarine wrecks of the English Channel. Penzance: Periscope. ISBN 978-1-90438-104-4.
  8. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UC 65". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
Bibliography
  • Bendert, Harald (2001). Die UC-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918. Minenkrieg mit U-Booten (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0758-7.
  • 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.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-907-8. OCLC 12119866.
  • Tarrant, V. E. (1989). The U-Boat Offensive: 1914–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-764-7. OCLC 20338385.