U93 class U-Boote (1917)

Germany: Medium Oceanic Submersibles:
24 completed U-93-U-98, U-105-114, U160-167

+11 never completed U-169-172/U-201-209, +2 planned

Surrendered German submarines at Cherbourg, U 105 in the second from the forward plan

The Ms type boats subject to continous improvement so differing slightly in details, although based on U 86. U 96-U 98 and U 111-U 114 had Germania 2-stroke diesels of 2300 bhp and the Bremer Vulcan boats had electric motors Of 1230 shp. Diving time in all groups was 66 seconds. Armament also varied: U 93-U 95 originally carried 1-8.8cm KL/30, but 1-10.5cm KL/45 on an AA mounting was added in 1918; U 96-U 98 originally had 1-10.5cm KL/45, but 1-8.8cm was added to U 96; the U 160 group were originally fitted with 1-10.5cm on an AA mounting, but by 1918 most survivors had 1-8.8cm added; some boats could stow 16 torpedoes by the end of the war. Given their arrival from early 1917 onwards, the Germaniawerft group met more successes in their patrols. Collectively they sank c200,000 GRT of shipping.

Germaniawerft Late MS Boats:

The U 93 were MS Boats based on the last U 86 Germaniawerft U-Boat, of the U 81 class. The “M” stands for “Mittle”, to differentiate them in German U-Boat nomenclature from the “U-Kreuzer”, the true oceanic cruiser submarines derived from the prototype cargo submarine Deutschland of 1915. The design changed however a lot between the two types. It seems from few clues available on the U93 series (The U105 series are better known), that the Germaniawerft kept the “old style” design, when the Bremer class spotted a rounded hull instead of the taditional flattop ballasts alongside the narrow upper deck, giving them better streamlining underwater and slanted prow. But a second review highlights possible confusion between types and it seems the entire class (both groups) shared the same rounded hull shape and clipper bow. The later was topped by the usual wire cutting saw with a guard cable running to the CT portico and attached close to the stern.

Other changes were in the accomodations, and they were slightly larger than the U81 class, but repeated the more powerful armament of the rival Danzig Project 25 U 87 class. They had four bow torpedoes, two stern, 12 in all, plus a 10,5 cm deck gun forward by default and one 8.8 cm aft, soon to be replaced if available by a second 10.5 cm. Their succession, the U 127 class, was a much larger design (from 840 to 1,220 tonnes) laid down but never completed (11 boats) in 1918. Germaniawerft was also absorbed in 1917 into the design of their first “U-Kreuzer”, the U-139 class. Both Vulcan and Germanuawerft boats had the same dimensions however.

Construction

Germaniawerft, Kiel

U 93 (15.12.16, rammed by SS Braenal 7.1.18), U 94 (S.1.17, BU 1919-20), U 95, (20.1.17, ‘missing’ 1.18), U 96 (15.2.17, BU 1919-20), U 97 (4.4.17, foundered 21.11.18), U 98 (28.2.I7, BU 1919-20), U 105 (16.5.17, BU 1937), U 106 (12.6.17, mined 8.10.17), U 107 (28.6.17, BU 922), U 108 (11.10.17, BU 1935), U 109 (25.9.17, sunk-by Beryl III 26.1.18), U 110 (28.7.17, sunk by Moresby and Michael 15.3.18), U 111 (5.9.17, to USA 1918, sunk as target), U 112 (26.10.17, BU 1922), U 113 (29.9.17, BU 1921), U 114 (27.11.17, BU 1919)

Bremer Vulcan, Vegesack

U 160 (27.2.18, BU 1922), U 161 (23.3.18, wrecked en route for BÜ-t921), U 162 (20.4.18, BU 1937), U 163 (1.6.18, BU 1919), U 164 (7.8.18, BU 1922), U 165 (21.8.18, sunk in collision 18.11.18, raised and BU 1919), U 166 (6.9.18, BU 1935), U 167 (28.9.18, BU 1921), U 168 (19.10.18, BU incomplete 1919), U 169-U 172 (only about 75 per cent complete at the end of the war, BU 1919), U 201-U 209 (BU in 1919 on the slips; little work had been done), U 210-U 212 (never begun).

Design of the U93 class:

Hull and general design

The U93 class compared to the U 81 were 5.75 metres (18.9 ft) shorter, with a pressure hull 5.98 metres (19.6 ft) shorter as well, 105 tons lighter. They still had a range 2,288 nautical miles (4,237 km; 2,633 mi) longer, but speed was down to 1.2 knots (2.2 km/h; 1.4 mph) slower, surface, same submerged.

Germaniawerft Group

Krupp archives, U106. Historisches Archiv Krupp, via Polish wiki Schemat konstrukcyjny niemieckiego okrętu podwodnego U-106 z okresu I WŚ. CC. No larger size.

The U 93 MS boats displaced 838 t (825 long tons) surfaced and a symbolic 1,000 t (980 long tons) submerged. That was a milestone for “medium” U-Boat design as far as Germaniawerft was concerned. They measured 71.55 m (234 ft 9 in) overall, with a pressure hull of 56.05 m (183 ft 11 in), a beam of 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in) overall (outer hull) and 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in) for the pressure hull. The total height, from the keel to the portico above the CT was 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in). Draught was superior at 3.94 m (12 ft 11 in) (vs 3.88 m). Conways however points out the second batch, U-105 to U-114 was lighter at 798 tonnes. For what could be obtained on line, the U 93 design was very classic with a separated ballasts and deck, plus straight stem. Most iconography concentrates on the U 105 class from Bremer Vulcan however, a very different animal, albeit dimensions were the same, but they were lighter.

Bremer, Vulkan Group

U 160 and sister ships were the start of a large order of 14 boats. Bremer consented to massive investment to augment its shiplaying spots, partly paid by state funds. However constructions started later than Germaniawerft boats and the company added its own twist on the design. Only U-160 to U-168 were “completed” (U-168 was nearly completed whe work was stopped) making for a first serie of eight boats, followed by another run of three boats (U 169-172), 75% completed on V-Day, then the eight of the U-201 to U-209 avearing 20-30% complete on V-Day. This made for a grand total of 35 boats planned of the same type (both yards), the largest outside smaller, semi-coastal UC type (like the UC-III class).

The Vulcan group were lighter than the Germaniwerft boats at light load, surfaced, at 821 t (808 long tons) and 1,002 t (986 long tons) submerged. They measured the same at 71.55 m (234 ft 9 in) overall, same pressure hull of 56.05 m (183 ft 11 in), same beam at 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in) for the outer hull and 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in) for the pressure hull, same height as well at 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
but lighter draught at 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in).

About their general outlook, most sources points out their rounded double hull straight stem or clipper-like stem, large scoops above the waterline driven by experience for faster ballast-filling. Bremer Vulcan streamlined hull, pioneered by the Danzig Yard, was still not adopted by Germaniawerft. The conning tower was comparable to the one on U-86, with a forward step and first access hatch, then the usual open air small helmsman post forward, the two persicopes (attack and watch) in their fairwater and conning tower “bell” going down to the pressure hull below, followed by a large open conn protected by arched sides for observer, and its own hatch. Again, the Bremer boats had a better streamlined CT than the Gemerniawerft ones.

Internal arrangement were however about the same: The pressure hull still was divided into 7 main compartments, separated flat, or concave/convexe bulkheads to better resist pressure, all having heavy hatches with rounded, concave aperture to communicate. The torpedo compartment forward ended in a narrow spindle-like shape to meet the four torpedo tubes, closed by a concave bulkhead. It had its own large hatch above not for crew exit but torpedo reload from the deck. In case the sub had sank in shallow water leaving the bow up, men trapped there could have use the torpedo tubes. Then came the main forward compartment, separated by an intermediate flat, lower-pressure bulkhead, for the crew and officer’s quarters as well as the galley, was closed by a corresponding convexe (or inverted concave) bulkhead. The same was repeated for the aft compartment, in the same “capsule” integrating the powerplant and served by an escape hatch.

German outlined compared with cruiser types in a drawing from 1936 (cc). U 161 is on top.
It was also separated by a flat bulkhead between the engine rooms and aft torpedo tube room, also ending in a spindle. This left the centra command post, below the CT and presicopes, sandiwhed between the two “capsules”. In vase it was completely filled (diving with a hatch not closed for example), the crew still would have taken refuge in either of the forward and aft compartment, reisstant enough to resists about the same pressure as the thick pressure hull itself. It was not a lot however ad the submersible was limitee to about 50 meters max service depth, with a tolerance towards 70-80 meters before crushing.

Their stern ended with a rounded, sloping shape. The main keel on both however had the same central detachable part used as emergency solid ballast. In outer appearance they were often “camouflaged” limited to a dark grey paint on the upper surfaces of the hull and sometimes partly on the CT to better blend with the north sea while underwater. Light grey was kept for all “vertical” surfaces. The crew rose to 36 men, including 4 officers, for the Germaniawerft boats, U93 to 98, 105 to 114, and 39 for the Bremer boats, U160 to 172, and 201 to 209.

The CO grade was Kapitänlieutenant (Kptlt.). The U93 boats were all deployed in the IV. Flotilla, based on Wilhelsmhaven at first, western side of the Jade Bight opening on the North Sea. The issue in 1917 when they entered active service, the British had heavily mined many sorties channels for U-Boats. They usually had to take the “long road” to the north, rounding Scotland, then the British Isles to hunt down merchant traffic, especially in the Irish sea. The English channel southwards was just a big no-no.

Power plant of the U93 class

U 111 in New York. Note the funky “camouflage” of her conning tower.

No change there, the boats were rather conservative compared to previous class. Essentially this was the same powerplant, with two shafts, driving each a 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) bronze fixed pitch 3-bladed propeller. When surfaced, they were driven by two 2,400 PS (1,765 kW; 2,367 shp) Körting or MAN diesel engines surfaced (versus 2,000 PS on U50) and when underwater, by two Siemens-Schuckert electric engines for 1,200 PS (883 kW; 1,184 shp) just as for U50. Top speed really gained compared to U50 from 15.2 to 16.8 knots (31.1 km/h; 19.3 mph). Underwater it fell slightly from 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) to 9.1 knots (16.9 km/h; 10.5 mph). The longer hull however made for better fuel bunkerage described at 133 tons for 11,380 nautical miles (21,080 km; 13,100 mi) at 8 knots, versus 11,400 nmi (21,100 km; 13,100 mi) for the U50. Diving ability was the same, ca. 50 m or 164 feet.

There were a lot of divergences between boats however according to navypedia:
Germania boats U93 to 95, 105 to 110 had MAN diesels and SSW electric motors, as well as the late Bremer Vulcan boats U 201 to 209.
However the second Germania group U96 to 98, and U 111 to 114 had Germania diesels instead, for 2300 hp instead of 2400.
It seems the Bremer boats, U160 to 172, and 201 to 209 had a more powerful Siemens-Schuckert electric engines that developed 1230 instead of 1200 hp together.

Thus, top speed varied. The fastest of the bunch were the U 96 group with 16.9 knots surfaced. The slowesr were the Bremer U-160 series rated for 16.2 knots. Underwater speed was 8.6 knots for the Germania Boats but 8.4 for the U 105 series and on the Bremer boats, down to 8.2 knots. This was not mediocre, but far lass appealing than the ealier classes. Diesel oil bunkarge also varied between series, from 103 to 107 tonnes, and thus, the range varied wildly. Germania boats were better performers at 9020 nm at 8 knots (52 at 5 kts underwater) wheeras the U 160 serie was down to 8500 nm surfaced and 50 nm underwater. The better electric engines of the U 201 series would have granted tham 60 nm at 4.5 knots.

Armament

US Sailors testing U 111 deck gun in 1919-20 (Ny NyD).

The 24 submarines diverged in armament:
Germaniawerft boats were planned with 10.5 cm guns, but U93, 94 and 95 completed with a single 88mm/27 TK L/27 C/08 forward. Changes in accomodations meant they could carry from twelve up to sixteen torpedoes, which was the real improvement of the U 93 class. The next U 96, 97, and 98 were completed with a single 105mm/43 TK L/45 C/16 deck gun forward. A secondary 8.8 cm aft deck gun was added at completion for U 105, 106, 108, 109, whereas the TK model was replaced by the Utof model on the U107, 110, 111, 113. U112, 114, 161 to 172, 201 to 209 were all completed with the 10.5xm/42 Utof L/45 C/16 model, nothing aft. U160, first of the Bremer serie, was the only one completed with two 10.5cm/42 Utof L/45 C/16 fore and aft. They all had four torpedo tubes (500mm) or 19.7 inches at the bow, two at the stern for up to 12 to 16 torpedoes total.

Torpedo Tubes

U93 and sisters were armed with six 50 cm or 19.7 inches tubes, four fore and two aft for G7 torpedoes (entering service in 1913), or possibly surplus older G/6. The Kerosene powered G/6D was considered too “temperamental” for submarine use indeed. The G/6 was developed from 1908 and entered service in 1911. The Royal Navy was slower on this chapter, only introducing the 21″ (53.3 cm) Marks II, II* and II** for submarine use from 1914 onwards. The four 500 mm (19.7 inches) torpedo tubes could be reloaded from above via the larger hatches going through the outer upper hull.

G7 Torpedo

The G7 was designed in 1910 and entered service in 1913. Originally designed for surface ships, but in 1917 it started to be used on U-boats.
Specs: Weight: 3,009 lbs. (1,365 kg), Overall Length: 276 in (7,020 m).
Explosive Charge: 430 lbs. (195 kg) Hexanide warhead
Range/Speed settings: 4,370 yards (4,000 m)/37 knots and 10,170 yards (9,300 m)/27 knots
Power: Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater

10.5 cm SK L/45 naval gun C16 (1936)

As planned from the start, the Germaniawerft U93 class sboats were designed with reinforced forward deck sponsons for and aft to accept two 105mm deck guns, with between 140 and 240 rounds. The crew was planed to manage it, with four officers, and a proper gunnery officer. Built by Meddinghaus, this heavy deck gun was designed specially for deck use, low, with many sensible elements protected from corrosion. However in service, the first group U-93 to U-114 were completed due to shortages with a forward 10.5 cm and aft 8.8 cm.

Specs 10.5 cm SK L/45

1,450 kg (3,200 lb), 4.725 m (15 ft 6.0 in), 6.8 mm (0.27 in) wide.
Shell 10.5 cm (4.1 in) 25.5 kg (56 lb) fixed Brass Casing 17.4 kg (38 lb)
Breech: Horizontal sliding-block, MPL C/06: -10° to +30° mount
Rate of fire: 15 RPM
Muzzle velocity 710 m/s (2,300 ft/s)
Effective range 12,700 m (41,700 ft) at 30°

8.8 cm Schnelladekanone Länge 30 naval deck gun

Due to shortage of the above, many boats were completed with an aft deck 88mm 27 calibre TK L/30 C/08 deck gun. They were removed and replaced by a single 10.5 cm deck gun only when available later in 1918.

The 8.8 cm SK L/30 gun used the Krupp horizontal sliding block, or “wedge” and the submarine deck version was on either a retractable or fixed pivot mount. The Krupp mount retracted vertically through a hatch, and the Erhardt version folded down onto the ship’s deck. They avoided underwater drag and turbulences. It seems U19 class had the Ubts.L of the second type.
The 8.8 cm SK L/30 was a widely used naval gun on World War I pre-dreadnoughts, cruisers, coastal defence ships, avisos, submarines and torpedo boats in both casemates and turrets as well.
This calibre became so ubiquitous in the German Navy it was still a favourite for WW2 U-Boats as well starting with the Type VII. Read more.

Specs 8.8 cm SK L/30 on Ubts.L mount

Weight: 644 kilograms (1,420 lb)

Overall length: 2.64 meters (8 ft 8 in).
Breech: Krupp horizontal sliding block
Shell: fixed 7 kg (15 lb) cal 88 mm (3.5 in)
Elevation: -10° to +30°
Rate of fire: 15 RPM
Muzzle velocity: 590 m/s (1,900 ft/s)
Maximum firing range: 7,3 km (8,000 yd) at 20° or 10,5 km (11,480 yards) at 30°

10.5 cm SK L/42 Utof deck gun C/16

Topic in research, might be an alternative production variant of the 10.5 cm deck gun described above, presented as the TK 105/43 L/45. Indeed, Krupp improved the underwater performance of its gun.

Author’s rendition of the U93 class (to come)

The blueprints U 93, 3 views

⚙ U93 type specifications
Displacement	820-838 tonnes surfaced, 1000 tonnes submerged
Dimensions	71.6 x 6.3 x 3.9m (234 ft 9 in x 20 ft 8 in x 12 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	2x 2,400 shp (1765 kW) surfaced, 2x 1,230 shp (905 kw) submerged, see notes
Speed	16.2 knots surfaced, 8.2 knots submerged
Range	8,500 nmi at 8 knots, 56 nmi at 5 knots.
Armament	6x 50 cm torpedo tubes 4 fwd/2 aft (12), 105 mm deck gun, see notes
Max depth	50m (164 ft)
Crew	4 officers, 32 ratings.

In French service:

Jean Autric in the interwar, ex U 105

Succession:

If sticking to Germaniawerft alone, the next design was much larger, the U 127 class, at 1220-1650 tonnes displacement and reaching 82 meters. They were known as the “MS(G)” types, or medium, oceanic (large). Eleven were in various state of completion when the war ended. U 127 to 130 were made at Germaniawerft, plus repeats made on other yards, AG Weser Bremen, and even rival Danzig yard, which was tasked to built U 135 to 138. They were started earlier and the first almost delivered, at 90% complete for the earlier boats.

Danzig’s last own design was the U 115 class, more conversative and smaller at 882/1230 tonnes, named “Project 43”. Sixteen (two flotillas) were ordered in 1917, none completed. Scrapped on slips postwar, their diesels were sold and ended in many German merchant vessels. They would have been the most powerful and fastest of the MS type, with 2900 bhp/1230 shp for 16.5 and 9 knots.

Vulcan had also an interesting design of its own, the U 117 class, also called UE-II. They were an evolution of the UE I design of 1914-15 but much larger, called Project 45. Most were completed, and Blohm & Voss participated in the effort.

Career of the U 93 class

U93 (1917)

Q Ship HMS Prize (admire the humour) unveiling its true flag and ready to fire point blank on U 93.

U93 was ordered as werke #257 at Germaniawerft, Kiel in 1915. She was launched on 15 December 1916 and completed in February 1917. She integrated the IV Flotilla from 5 April 1917 until her losss, under Kptlt. Edgar von Spiegel von und zu Peckelsheim. On 15 April 1917 she sank the Danish Fram (105t). on the 18th the Norwegian Troldfos (1,459 GRT) and West Lothian (1,887 GRT). On 22 April the Vestelv (1,729 GRT). On the 28th she surfaced and gunned, damaged, the Danish Diana (207t), and a day later she sank the British Comedian (4,889 GRT) and Ikbal (5,434 GRT). A day after on 30 April she was in a rampage: She sank the Italian Ascaro (3,245 GRT), British Horsa (2,949 GRT), Greek Parthenon (2,934 GRT) but later that day, dry of torpedoes, she tried to capture the well known “HMS Prize”, in reality a 199t inocuous-looking three-masted topsail schooner.

It happened 180 nautical miles (330 km; 210 mi) south of Ireland. Lieutenant William Edward Sanders (Victoria Cross) waited for her launching a boat for inspection and at the last moment unveiled the Navy flag and her guns. U93 was immediately damaged by shellfire at point-blank range (80 yards (73 m) of her port quarter). Her bows rose in the air, but the crew manned the 10.5 cm gun managed also to damage Prize just before. This was essentially a draw. The U-boat disappeared from sight, believed sunk. The German crew, including her captain were blown or jumped into the sea. Prize was later towed back to Kinsale, U-93 struggled back to the Sylt, 9 days, through British mine barrages off Dover. She was repaired and reurned to service under Oblt.z.S. Wilhelm Ziegner only between April and May. From 23 May she was under command of her last skipper, Oblt.z.S. Helmut Gerlach.

Her records started in June in the English channel: On 19 June 1917 she sank the small Norwegian steamer Louise (645 GRT). On the 27th the British Baron Ogilvy (4,570 GRT). On 4 July she sank the Danish Kodan (308 GRT). She returned home before a new patrol in August. On 12 August she sank the Norwegian Bestum (3,520 GRT), two days later the Italian Asti (5,300 GRT). On the 20th she sank the British Elswick Lodge (3,558 GRT), on the 21st the Volodia (5,689 GRT). On the 23rd, the US steamer Carl F. Cressy (898 GRT) and on the 25th, the British Heatherside (2,767 GRT) and Portuguese Ovar (1,650 GRT). On the 26th the British Marmion (4,066 GRT) and Canadian Minas Queen (492 GRT). On the 29th, the British Treloske (3,071 GRT) was her last torpedo, she proceeded back to port after a successful patrol.

She resumed activity in October for her 4th patrol: On the 18th she sank the Brazilian Macao (3,557 GRT), on the 27th the US D. N. Luckenbach (2,929 GRT), a day later she badly damaged the USAT “SS Finland” a US troopship (12,222t). A day later she sank the Uruguayan “La Epoca” (2,432 GRT) and on the 30th, the Norwegian Liff (2,521 GRT). He last patrol was in January 1918: On the 2nd she sank the British trawler Veda, likely by gunfire. On 4 January she sank the French armed trawler Goeland I (235t) and on the 6th, the same day she sank the Greek Kanaris (3,793 GRT), US Harry Luckenbach (2,798 GRT), French Henri Lecour (2,488 GRT) and Danish Dagny (1,220 GRT). On the 14st she sank the French Babin Chevaye (2,174 GRT) and British War Song (2,535 GRT) the next day. This was her last patrol, as she never went back. She was lost to unknown cause off Hardelot, France in January 1918. The wreck was located by divers in 2003. In total she claimed 33 merchant ships sunk for 87,637 GRT, making one of the most successful in class.

U94 (1917)

U-94 was ordered on 15 September 1915 from Germaniawerft, Kiel, under Yard number 258. She was laid down on 25 March 1916, launched on 5 January and commissioned on 3 March 1917 with the IV flotilla. After training under Kptlt. Alfred Saalwächter from 3 to 24 March 1917, she started her first patrol under Oblt.z.S. Martin Schwab, the first of thirteen. In June, she sank the following: Deveron (Norway), Thessaly (UK), Amakura (UK), Cederic (Norway). On the 20th she sank the British Flower class sloop HMS Salvia (1,250t). On the 24 and 26th, she sank the british merchant Sylvanian and damaged the liner SS Haverford (11,635t). Next patrol in July-August saw her sinking the Danish Ingeborg, British Adalia, Russian Kildin, British Manchester Inventor, Russian Souma, British Argalia, Lynorta and Danish Svanholm. In September she bagged the Danish Hydra (174t), damaged the British Petersham and sank the Bernard. She had a patrol in December, only sinking on the 16th the Bristol City (2,511 GRT). In February she sank the the British Barrowmore (3,832 GRT) and Norwegian Snyg (370 GRT). In March, she only sank the Rockpool (4;500t) and in May 1918, British SS Hurunui (10,644 GRT) and Norwegian Saphir (1,406 GRT). She made no successful sorties afterwards and was Surrendered to the entente on 20 November 1918. Her tally represented 60,631 GRT.

U95 (1917)

U-95 was ordered on 15 September 1915 from Germaniawerft, Kiel (Yard number 259), and laid down on 29 March 1916, launched on 20 January and commissioned on 29 April 1917. She joined the IV flotilla under Kptlt. Athalwin Prinz from 15 April for a career of 6 patrols: In her 1st in June 1917, she sank the British Hollington (4,221 GRT) and Polyxena (5,737 GRT). In July she damaged the Swedish Bellville (992 GRT), sank the Belle of England (3,877 GRT), Whitehall (3,158 GRT) and Italian Eolo (1,679 GRT), but damaged the British Beacon Grange (4,237 GRT). In September she only claimed the Norwegian mjoren (2747 GRT) and in November the US merchant Rochester (2,551 GRT), British trawler Lapwing (110t). Se sank the RN auxiliary HMT Thuringia (297t) and the same day on 13 November the British Ardmore (1,304 GRT) and Carlo (3,040 GRT). In December she claimed the Norwegian Vigrid (1617 GRT) and on 2 January 1918 she had her last successes, she damaged the British steamer Kingsley (633 GRT), bagged the Italian Christos Markettos (3,084 GRT) and British Gallier (4,592 GRT) for a total of 37,717 GRT. She was rammed and sunk by the steamship SS Breaneil off the Lizard Peninsula, on 7 January 1918.

U96 (1917)

U-96 was ordered on 15 September 1915 from Germaniawerft, Kiel (Yard number 260), laid down on 12 January 1916 and launched on 15 February, commissioned on 11 April 1917. She entered the IV flotilla under Kptlt. Heinrich Jeß after training for eight patrols. In June-July she sank the British Shamrock (170 GRT), St. Bernard (186 GRT), Orator (3,563 GRT), Baron Cawdor (4,316 GRT), Danish Emanuel (203 GRT), British Paddington (5,084 GRT), damaged the French Radioleine (4,029 GRT) and sank the Norwegian Anitra (593 GRT). In October, she sank the British Carrabin (2,739 GRT),
Hurst (4,718 GRT), Rupee (39 GRT), Young Clifford (47 GRT), Bedale (2,116 GRT), Greldon (3,322 GRT), Memphian (6,305 GRT) on the 9th, the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Champagne (5,360t) off the Isle of Man and the steamer Peshawur (7,634 GRT) likely in the same convoy as it was the same day.

In November 1917 she claimed. the British La Blanca (7,479 GRT), Sabia (2,807 GRT), Norwegian Drot (2,923 GRT), damaged the British Agenoria (2,977 GRT) and sank the Apapa (7,832 GRT) and Derbent (3,178 GRT). She likely had a refit and retraining, with her next successful patrol in March 1918: She damaged the British Custodian (9,214 GRT), sank the Destro (859 GRT), Inkosi (3,661 GRT), Geraldine (61 GRT), St. Michan (43 GRT), Conargo (4,312 GRT). In May-June she sank the Dutch Michiel Taal Johsz (86 GRT) and British Polwell (2,013 GRT), Vandalia (7,333 GRT) and in August, in her last successful patrol, the Russian Reinhard (239 GRT) and British Highland Harris (6,032 GRT) for a total of 30 merchants and 89,893 GRT. She Surrendered on 20 November 1918.

U97 (1917)

U-97 was ordered like the others on 15 September 1915from Germaniawerft, planned under Yard number 261 and laid down on 25 March 1916, launched on 4 April and commissioned on 16 May 1917 in the IV flotilla. She had either slew of bad skippers or went into frequent training, changing from Kptlt. Hugo Schmidt until 13 October 1917, then Kptlt. Otto Wünsche until 12 January 1918 and Hans von Mohl until 11 November 1918 when she surrendered to the entente. She only made 5 patrols, claiming 3 merchant ships for 622 GRT, one auxiliary warship of 1,467 GRT and damaged a merchant vessel (4,785 GRT) on 22 November 1917. Her only semi-successful campaign was in November, and another in February, then June 1918. She sank on 21 November 1918 en route to surrender, likely her cocks sabotaged open.

U98 (1917)

Under Yard number 262, U98 was launched on 28 February 1917 and commissioned on 31 May 1917 with the IV Flotilla. She operated under Kptlt. Curt Beitzen from 31 May to 24 November 1917, then Oblt.z.S. Walter Strasser until 21 December 1917, and Kptlt. Rudolf Andler until she surrendered on 16 January 1919. She made 5 patrols and only bagged 3 merchant ships (1,750 GRT), damaged one (5,430 GRT).

U105 (1917)

French Postcard: U 105 and others in Drydock, refitted before French service.

The first of the second batch, she was ordered on 5 May 1916 from Germaniawerft, Kiel under Yard number 274, launched on 16 May 1917 and commissioned on 4 July 1917 under Kptlt. Friedrich Strackerjan with the IV Flotilla. He remained in command until the end of her career, and became a successful boat, bagging 18 merchant ships (48,956 GRT), damaging two more and sinking an auxiliary (AMC) of the RN in 6 patrols. She surrendered to France on 20 November 1918, anf after an overhaul and modifications she was granted as war reparation, renamed Jean Autric and used as training sub until stricken on 27 January 1937, BU in 1938.

U106 (1917)

U 106 was ordered under Yard number 275, launched on 12 June 1917 and commissioned on 28 July 1917. She joined the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Hans Hufnagel from 28 July until her loss in 7 October 1917, making a single patrol: On 18 Septembershe sank the Auxiliary HMS Contest (957t) and on 18 September damaged the British SS City of Lincoln (5,867 GRT). She never went back. She was presumed sunk by unknown causes until her wreck was rediscovered in 2009 by the Royal Netherlands Navy, north of Terschelling, while charting sea-routes. This became publich by March 2011, after her identity was confirmed by German authorities and families informed. She is now a wargrave and examination of the hull precised her fate. She is presumed sunk by mines 7 October 1917.

U107 (1917)

U-107 was ordered on 5 May 1916 from Germaniawerft, Yard number 276, launched on 28 June 1917 and commissioned on 18 August 1917. She joined the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Wilhelm-Friedrich Starke until 31 December 1917, then Oblt.z.S. Kurt Slevogt from 1 January to 31 July 1918 and Kptlt. Kurt Siewert until 11 November 1918, making 5 patrols for 6 merchant ships sunk (24,663 GRT) and one damaged (1,084 GRT). Her biggest kill was on 24 August the British passenger ship Flavia (9,291 GRT), 30 nautical miles (56 km) north west by west of Tory Island, County Donegal. She sank slowly enough for all to escape (one drowned). She surrendered on 20 November 1918 and was scrapped at Swansea in 1919.

U108 (1917)

Surrendered U 108 and UC 68 in Brest

U-108 was ordered on 5 May 1916 from Germaniawerft, Kiel under Yard number 277, launched on 11 October 1917 and commissioned on 5 December 1917. She operated with the IV Flotilla under K.Kapt. Martin Nitzsche and was probably the least successful in class: She only sank on 15 July 1918 the British Barunga (7,484 GRT) in three patrols. She surrendered to France on 20 November 1918 and was awarded as war reparation. She was overhaul, standardized and renamed Léon Mignot, remaining in service as training boat until decommissioned, stricken and sold for BU in 1935.

U109 (1917)

Ordered under Yard number 278 at Kiel, she was launched on 25 September 1917 and commissioned on 7 November 1917. U 109 started service with the IV Flotilla from 24 to 26 January 1918 making a single patrol under Kptlt. Otto Ney after training. She sank no ship but herself on 28 January 1918, was spotted and sunk in the English Channel, possibly by a mine while diving to avoid Dover Patrol ships. One that possibly signalled a diving sub was the drifter H.M. Beryl III.

U110 (1917)

U 110 underway with her two decks guns, 10.5 and 8.8 cm.

U-110 was ordered on 5 May 1916 from Germaniawerft under Yard number 279, launched on 28 July 1917 and commissioned on 25 September 1917 with the IV Flotilla until 15 March 1918. Her skipper were at first Kptlt. Otto von Schubert until 10 December 1917, then K.Kapt. Carl Albrecht Kroll until 15 March 1918, performing three patrols and sinking 9 merchant ships (25,772 GRT), the 740 GRT Q-ship HMS Penshurst in December 1917, and the auxiliary warship RFA Vitol (1,191 GRT), an armed tanker in the Irish Sea (4 lost). Her biggest kill was her last, on 15 March 1918 the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co liner SS Amazon (10,037 GRT). She was sunk on 15 March 1918, NW of Malin Head, located and depth-charged by the M-class destroyers HMS Michael and Moresby. 39 lost. However this was in relatively shallow waters. On September 1918, she was raised, taken to Swan Hunter’s dry dock for restoration, halted on V-Day. She was then sold for scrap.

U111 (1917)

U 110 underway with her two decks guns, 10.5 and 8.8 cm.

U-111 was ordered on 5 May 1916 from Germaniawerft, Kiel, Yard number 280. She was launched on 5 September 1917 and commissioned on 30 December 1917. With the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Hans Beyersdorff she made four patrols from 30 December 1917, sinking 3 merchant ships, on 7 April 1918 the British Boscastle (2,346 GRT) by torpedo, the Danish Dronning Margrethe on 28 May (393 GRT) and Norwegian Rana on 22 June 1918 (272 GRT) by deck gun. She surrendered to UK on 20 November 1918, but was transferred to the United States Navy on 25 March 1919 as war reparation and used for evaluation. She kept her name, USS U-111, as part of the Ex-German Submarine Expeditionary Force from 25 March 1919 to 31 August 1922 under LCDR Freeland A. Daubin, 1919 then LCDR Garnet Hulings.
She took part in Operations Victory Liberty Loan as well as comparison and operational tests.

On 18 June 1921, while being towed from Portsmouth in New Hampshire, to be used as a target for aerial bombing, she sank about three miles off the coast of Cape Henry in Virginia, under 35 feet of water, stern protruding above water. As a navigation hazard she was raised on 14 August 1922 by USS Falcon and brought back to Norfolk Navy Yard, but sank again in N°3 dry dock, before pumped out. Patched up, on 30 August 1922 she made it to her designated target area and was sunk on 31 August 1922 when her hatches were opened, with a depth charge for good measure, 400 ft below, close to the Winter Quarters Shoal lightship. She was rediscovered in 2022.

U112 (1917)

U 112 was ordered under Yard number 281 at Kiel, launched on 26 October 1917 and commissioned on 30 June 1918. She was supposed to be operational, and served under Kptlt. Friedrich Petersen until
11 November 1918, but made no patrol, sank no ship, apparently kept for training. She was surrendered on 22 November 1918. She was transferred to Pembroke, earmarked for use in experiments. But eventually she was sold for scrap 27 September 1920. Her diesel engines were removed for use ashore.

U113 (1917)

Ordered under Yard number 282, U 113 was launched on 29 September 1917, and commissioned on 23 February 1918. She entered the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Philipp Recke, made 3 patrols and sank 4 merchant ships (6,648 GRT): On 20 July 1918, the Danish Hermes (298 GRT), then the next day the Danish Anna (212 GRT). On 2 August the Belgian “Portugual” (1,463 GRT) and 2 days later the British Clan Macnab (4,675 GRT).

U114 (1917)

Ordered under Yard number 283, U 114 was launched at Germaniawerft (last) on 27 November 1917 and commissioned on 19 June 1918. She was part of the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Martin Wahn from 19 June 1918, making a single patrol, sinking no ship. She was surrendered to Italy was war reparation on 26 November 1918, but Broken up in 1919.

U160 (1918)

U 160 was the first of her Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack order, on 9 February 1917. She was launched on 27 February 1918 and commissioned on 26 May 1918. She entered the IV Flotilla under K.Kapt. Otto Wiebalck from 26 May, making a single patrol until 11 November 1918, sinking no ship. She surrendered to France on 20 November 1918 but was scrapped.

U161 (1918)

U-161 was also ordered on 9 February 1917 from Bremer Vulkan in Vegesack (like all the following). She was launched on 23 March 1918 and commissioned on 29 June 1918 under Kptlt. Waldemar von Münch from 29 June until 11 November 1918 with the IV Flotilla. She made one patrol, no kill. She surrendered on 20 November 1918 and was sunk as target on 30 June 1921.

U162 (1918)

U 162 was launched at Bremer Vulkan on 20 April 1918 and commissioned on 31 July 1918. With the IV Flotilla she made a single patrol under Kptlt. Karl-Friedrich von Abendroth from 31 July, sank no ship. On 11 November 1918 she was decommissioned, surrendered to France on the 20th. Obtained as war repatration she was renamed Pierre Marrast, overhauled and standardized, remaining in service for training until decommissioned on 27 January 1937 and sold for BU.

U163 (1918)

U163 was launched on 1 June 1918 and commissioned on 21 August 1918. She was assigned to the IV Flotilla under Kptlt. Heinrich Metzger but was still training when the war ended on 11 November (no combat sortie). She was surrendered to Italy 22 November 1918, Broken up in 1919.

U164 (1918)

U 164 was ordered under Yard number 651 at Vegesack, launched on 7 August 1918 and commissioned on 17 October 1918, assigned to the IV Flotilla. She apparently had ni captain designated, and was never truly operational, surrendered on 22 November 1918 to Britain, later scrapped at Swansea in 1922. For more detail, she was surrendered to the Allies, to be handed over to the USA, but exchanged for U-111, sold by the British Admiralty to George Cohen on 3 March 1919 for £2,425 excluding engines, BU at Swansea buty the diesel were resold to Southend Corporation for electricity generation.

U165 (1918)

U-165 was ordered on 27 June 1917 from Bremer, Vegesack under yard number 652. She was launched on 21 August 1918 and commissioned on 6 November 1918, never assigned a commander. Germany indeed suspended submarine warfare on 20 October 1918 and she later sank on her way to surrender on 18 November 1918 in the Weser River, likely refloated postwar and scrapped.

U166 (1918)

Ordered on 27 June 1917, under the Yard number 653 she was launched on 6 September 1918, never commissioned in German service. She was surrendered to France on 21 March 1919, put to standards and recommissioned the same day as Jean Roulier. She was used as Training boat until decommissioned on 24 July 1935 and sold for BU.

U167 (1918)

Ordered under Yard number 654, U 167 was launched on 28 September 1918, never commissioned, surrendered to the Entente on 18 April 1919. Broken up in 1921.

U168 (1918)

Launched 19.10.1918. Never completed, scrapped in situ.