SM U-97
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.
History | |
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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: |
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Length: |
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Beam: |
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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: |
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Range: |
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Test depth: | 50 m (160 ft) |
Complement: | 4 officers, 32 enlisted |
Armament: |
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Service record | |
Part of: |
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Commanders: | |
Operations: | 5 patrols |
Victories: |
Design
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
Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 1] | Fate[6] |
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22 November 1917 | Conovium | 86 | Sunk | |
22 November 1917 | Elsena | 335 | Sunk | |
22 November 1917 | Hartland | 4,785 | Damaged | |
11 February 1918 | HMS Westphalia | 1,467 | Sunk | |
2 June 1918 | Argus | 201 | Sunk |
References
Notes
- Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
Citations
- 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
- 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.