SM U-122
SM U-122[Note 1] was a Type UE II long-range minelayer submarine of the Imperial German Navy during World War I. U-122 was engaged in naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic.[3] U-122 succeeded in sinking one ship during her career for a total of 278 tons. Shortly after, she was surrendered to England following the end of the war.
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Name: | U-122 |
| Ordered: | 27 May 1916 |
| Builder: | AG Vulcan, Hamburg |
| Launched: | 9 December 1917 |
| Commissioned: | 4 May 1918 |
| Fate: | Surrendered to England on 26 November 1918. Ran aground on the English east coast while on her passage to Scapa Flow. She was later broken up. |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type: | German Type UE II submarine |
| Type: | Coastal minelaying submarine |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 82.00 m (269 ft) (o/a) |
| Beam: | 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in) |
| Height: | 10.16 m (33 ft 4 in) |
| Draught: | 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: | 2 shafts, 2 × 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers |
| Speed: |
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| Range: |
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| Test depth: | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Complement: | 4 officers, 36 enlisted |
| Armament: |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | 1 patrol |
| Victories: | 1 merchant ship sunk (278 GRT) |
Design
German Type UE II submarines were preceded by the shorter Type UE I submarines. U-122 had a displacement of 1,163 tonnes (1,145 long tons) when at the surface and 1,468 tonnes (1,445 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 82 metres (269 ft), a beam of 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in), a height of 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in), and a draught of 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,235 metric horsepower (908 kW; 1,218 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.61 m (5.3 ft) propellers. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 75 metres (246 ft).[1]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.2 knots (13.3 km/h; 8.3 mph).[1] When submerged, she could operate for 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 11,470 nautical miles (21,240 km; 13,200 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-122 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (fitted at the bow), twelve torpedoes, two 100 centimetres (39 in) mine chutes (fitted at the stern), forty-two mines, one 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and 494 rounds. She had a complement of forty (thirty-six crew members and four officers).[1]
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 2] | Fate[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 October 1916 | Njordur |  |
278 | Sunk |
References
Notes
- "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.
- Tonnages are in gross register tons
Citations
- Gröner 1991, p. 15.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Alfred Korte". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 122". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 122". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
Bibliography
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.