SM UB-18
SM UB-45, a U-boat similar to UB-18
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History | |
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German Empire | |
Name | UB-18 |
Ordered | 30 April 1915[1] |
Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg[1] |
Yard number | 248[1] |
Launched | 21 August 1915[1] |
Completed | 10 December 1915[1] |
Commissioned | 11 December 1915 |
Fate | Rammed and sunk, 9 December 1917 |
General characteristics [2] | |
Class and type | German Type UB II submarine |
Displacement |
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Length |
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Beam |
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Draught | 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) |
Propulsion |
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Speed |
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Range |
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Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
Complement | 2 officers, 21 men |
Armament |
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Notes | 45-second diving time |
Service record | |
Part of: |
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Commanders: |
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Operations: | 31 patrols |
Victories: |
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SM UB-18 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 30 April 1915 and launched on 21 August 1915. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 11 December 1915 as SM UB-18.[Note 1] The submarine sank 126 ships in 31 patrols for a total of 129,782 gross register tons (GRT)[3] making her the 13th most successful U-boat in both world wars.[4] UB-18 was rammed by the trawler Ben Lawer and sunk in the English Channel at 49°17′N 5°47′W / 49.283°N 5.783°WCoordinates: 49°17′N 5°47′W / 49.283°N 5.783°W on 9 December 1917.[2]
Design[]
A German Type UB II submarine, ‘’UB-18’’ had a displacement of 263 tonnes (259 long tons) when at the surface and 292 tonnes (287 long tons) while submerged. They had a length overall of 36.13 m (118 ft 6 in), a beam of 4.54 m (14 ft 11 in), and a draught of 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in). The submarine was powered by two Daimler six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 142 metric horsepower (104 kW; 140 shp) (a total of 284 metric horsepower (209 kW; 280 shp)), two Siemens-Schuckert electric motors producing 280 metric horsepower (210 kW; 280 shp), and one propeller shaft. She had a dive time of 45 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft).[2]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.15 knots (16.95 km/h; 10.53 mph) and a submerged speed of 5.81 knots (10.76 km/h; 6.69 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph); when surfaced she could travel 6,650 nautical miles (12,320 km; 7,650 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph). UB-18 was fitted with two 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes in the bow, four torpedoes, and one 5 cm (2.0 in) Tk L/40 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-three crew members.[2]
Service history[]
Oberleutnant zur See (Oblt.z.S.) took command of UB-18 upon commissioning on 11 December 1915. Wäger handed over command to Oblt.z.S. Otto Steinbrinck,[Note 2] who sailed her to Zeebrugge, arriving on 16 February, the first U-boat of the type to be based there.[5]
1st War Patrol[]
At the end of February 1916, UB-18 left Zeebrugge for the approaches to Le Havre. On 26 February she launched a torpedo hitting the French steamer , whose sinking was not observed. The attack on the was more successful, sinking the 20-year-old ship of 1,058 LT (1,075 t), killing 18 crew members. UB-18 returned to base arriving there 29 February 1916.[5]
2nd War Patrol[]
On 4 March 1916 UB-18 provided flank cover for a German fleet sortie against the English east coast.[5]
3rd War Patrol[]
From 7–11 March 1916, UB-18 operated against Allied shipping off Boulogne and Le Havre. On 8 March, she sunk a British steamer, , and the following day, a Norwegian freighter, the Silius, and a French steamer, , fell victims to UB-18's torpedoes.[5]
4th War Patrol[]
On 21 March 1916, UB-18 left Zeebrugge again for the Le Havre area, where she successfully attacked ships lying in the roads. Two ships, the British freighter , and the Norwegian steamer were hit by torpedoes and sank. The two reloads did not show any hits. UB-18 returned to Zeebrugge, arriving on 29 March 1916. That day, the Flanders Flotilla was formed, and Steinbrinck was awarded the coveted Pour le Mérite order.[6]
Loss[]
Sailing on her last patrol, she was seen off Start Point, Devon by U 84 on 4 December 1917, bound for the Western Approaches. Early on the morning of 9 December she inadvertently surfaced close to the trawler Ben Lawer, which was escorting a coal convoy. The trawler immediately rammed her just aft of the conning tower, sinking her; there were no survivors. The impact was substantial, with the Ben Lawer so badly damaged that she only just made port.[7]
Summary of raiding history[]
Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 3] | Fate[8] |
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26 February 1916 | Au Revoir | French Navy | 1,058 | Sunk |
8 March 1916 | Harmatris | United Kingdom | 4,863 | Sunk |
9 March 1916 | Louisiane | France | 5,109 | Sunk |
9 March 1916 | Silius | Norway | 1,559 | Sunk |
22 March 1916 | Kelvinbank | United Kingdom | 4,209 | Sunk |
23 March 1916 | Kannik | Norway | 2,397 | Sunk |
5 April 1916 | Baus | Norway | 1,287 | Sunk |
5 April 1916 | Jeannette | France | 160 | Sunk |
7 April 1916 | Clyde | United Kingdom | 204 | Sunk |
7 April 1916 | Eemdijk | Netherlands | 3,048 | Damaged |
25 April 1916 | HMS E22 | Royal Navy | 725 | Sunk |
26 April 1916 | Alfred | United Kingdom | 24 | Sunk |
17 May 1916 | Research | United Kingdom | 44 | Sunk |
15 July 1916 | Bertha | Norway | 203 | Sunk |
15 July 1916 | Dina | Netherlands | 164 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Gertrude | United Kingdom | 57 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Glance | United Kingdom | 60 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Loch Nevis | United Kingdom | 58 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Loch Tay | United Kingdom | 44 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | W.M.G. | United Kingdom | 59 | Sunk |
17 July 1916 | Waverley | United Kingdom | 59 | Sunk |
2 August 1916 | G. C. Gradwell | United Kingdom | 156 | Sunk |
2 August 1916 | Margaret Sutton | United Kingdom | 197 | Sunk |
2 August 1916 | S.D. | United Kingdom | 131 | Sunk |
3 August 1916 | Badger | United Kingdom | 89 | Sunk |
3 August 1916 | Fortuna | United Kingdom | 131 | Sunk |
3 August 1916 | Ivo | United Kingdom | 56 | Damaged |
3 August 1916 | Jacques Cartier | France | 259 | Sunk |
3 August 1916 | Sphene | United Kingdom | 740 | Sunk |
4 August 1916 | Demaris | United Kingdom | 98 | Sunk |
4 August 1916 | Ermenilda | United Kingdom | 94 | Sunk |
5 August 1916 | Spiral | United Kingdom | 1,342 | Sunk |
9 August 1916 | Henri Elisa | France | 822 | Sunk |
10 August 1916 | Marie | France | 784 | Sunk |
10 August 1916 | Credo | Norway | 728 | Sunk |
10 August 1916 | Saint Pierre | France | 149 | Sunk |
10 August 1916 | Sora | Norway | 1,052 | Sunk |
10 August 1916 | Annette Marie | France | 118 | Sunk |
3 September 1916 | Netta | United Kingdom | 370 | Sunk |
3 September 1916 | Teesborough | United Kingdom | 308 | Sunk |
5 September 1916 | City of Ghent | United Kingdom | 199 | Sunk |
5 September 1916 | Marcel | Belgium | 1,433 | Sunk |
8 September 1916 | Gamen | Sweden | 2,619 | Sunk |
9 September 1916 | Georges Andre | France | 229 | Sunk |
9 September 1916 | Lodsen | Norway | 1,247 | Sunk |
9 September 1916 | Myosotis | France | 64 | Sunk |
9 September 1916 | Carrigan Head | United Kingdom | 4,201 | Damaged |
10 September 1916 | Furu | Norway | 2,029 | Sunk |
10 September 1916 | Marechal De Villars | France | 1,908 | Sunk |
10 September 1916 | Polynesia | Norway | 4,064 | Sunk |
11 September 1916 | Assimacos | Greece | 2,898 | Sunk |
11 September 1916 | Kong Ring | Norway | 1,611 | Sunk |
11 September 1916 | Luis Vives | Spain | 2,160 | Sunk |
12 September 1916 | Antwerpen | Netherlands | 7,955 | Sunk |
13 September 1916 | Ariel | France | 49 | Sunk |
13 September 1916 | Hans Jensen | Denmark | 1,824 | Sunk |
13 September 1916 | J. N. Madvig | Denmark | 1,762 | Sunk |
13 September 1916 | Tolosa | Norway | 1,833 | Sunk |
14 September 1916 | Ethel | Norway | 1,122 | Sunk |
20 October 1916 | Cliburn | United Kingdom | 440 | Sunk |
20 October 1916 | The Duke | United Kingdom | 376 | Sunk |
20 October 1916 | The Marchioness | United Kingdom | 553 | Sunk |
21 October 1916 | Brizeux | France | 2,197 | Sunk |
21 October 1916 | Condor | France | 740 | Sunk |
21 October 1916 | Fulvio | Norway | 309 | Sunk |
21 October 1916 | Rabbi | Norway | 878 | Sunk |
24 October 1916 | Cannebiere | France | 2,454 | Sunk |
26 October 1916 | Pan | Norway | 796 | Sunk |
23 November 1916 | Hendrick | France | 35 | Sunk |
24 November 1916 | Øifjeld | Norway | 1,988 | Sunk |
25 November 1916 | Emlynverne | United Kingdom | 544 | Sunk |
27 November 1916 | Borø | Norway | 819 | Sunk |
27 November 1916 | Perra | Norway | 1,682 | Sunk |
27 November 1916 | Rhona | United Kingdom | 640 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | Auguste Marie | France | 63 | Sunk |
28 November 1916 | Lucienne | Spain | 1,046 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Aud | Norway | 1,102 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Christabel | United Kingdom | 175 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | E.L.G. | United Kingdom | 25 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Egholm | Denmark | 1,348 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Marie Marguerite | France | 135 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Njaal | Norway | 718 | Sunk |
30 November 1916 | Saint Ansbert | France | 275 | Sunk |
1 December 1916 | T. And A.C. | United Kingdom | 23 | Sunk |
1 December 1916 | Indiana | France | 178 | Sunk |
1 December 1916 | Saint Joseph | France | 182 | Sunk |
2 December 1916 | Skjoldulf | Norway | 502 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Mizpah | United Kingdom | 57 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Seeker | United Kingdom | 74 | Sunk |
3 December 1916 | Yrsa | Denmark | 879 | Sunk |
31 December 1916 | Eva | Norway | 1,081 | Sunk |
31 December 1916 | Flora | Norway | 1,033 | Sunk |
2 January 1917 | Bestik | Norway | 2,185 | Sunk |
2 January 1917 | Ellik | Norway | 603 | Sunk |
4 January 1917 | Næsborg | Denmark | 1,547 | Sunk |
5 January 1917 | Danevirke | Denmark | 1,433 | Sunk |
1 February 1917 | Wellhome | United Kingdom | 113 | Damaged |
3 February 1917 | Confiante | France | 85 | Sunk |
3 February 1917 | Goeland | France | 305 | Sunk |
3 February 1917 | Lars Kruse | Denmark | 1,460 | Sunk |
3 February 1917 | Sainte Marie | France | 60 | Sunk |
4 February 1917 | Cerera | Russian Empire | 3,512 | Sunk |
28 February 1917 | Harriet Williams | United Kingdom | 157 | Sunk |
1 March 1917 | Chatburn | United Kingdom | 1,942 | Sunk |
12 March 1917 | Topaz | United Kingdom | 696 | Sunk |
15 March 1917 | Adieu Va | France | 64 | Sunk |
16 March 1917 | Sir Joseph | United Kingdom | 84 | Sunk |
17 March 1917 | Marie Louise | France | 291 | Sunk |
17 March 1917 | Marie Louise | France | 426 | Sunk |
18 March 1917 | Marie Louise | France | 33 | Sunk |
1 May 1917 | C. A. Jaques | United Kingdom | 2,105 | Sunk |
2 May 1917 | Juno | United Kingdom | 1,384 | Sunk |
2 May 1917 | Tela | United Kingdom | 7,226 | Sunk |
11 May 1917 | Tarpeia | United Kingdom | 538 | Sunk |
14 May 1917 | Elizabeth Hampton | United Kingdom | 108 | Sunk |
15 May 1917 | Panaghi Lykiardopoulo | Greece | 3,193 | Sunk |
6 June 1917 | Cornelia | Netherlands | 170 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Cariad | United Kingdom | 38 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Ocean's Pride | United Kingdom | 42 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Onward | United Kingdom | 39 | Sunk |
8 June 1917 | Torbay Lass | United Kingdom | 38 | Sunk |
9 June 1917 | Marjorie | United Kingdom | 119 | Sunk |
5 July 1917 | Bjerkø | Norway | 1,871 | Sunk |
22 July 1917 | Breda | Netherlands | 257 | Sunk |
22 July 1917 | Nereus | Netherlands | 110 | Sunk |
24 July 1917 | Oostzee | Netherlands | 199 | Sunk |
24 July 1917 | Montevideo 488 | Uruguay | unknown | Sunk |
25 July 1917 | Janna | Netherlands | 145 | Sunk |
25 July 1917 | Spes Mea | Netherlands | 75 | Sunk |
16 September 1917 | Facto | Norway | 2,372 | Sunk |
12 October 1917 | Peebles | United Kingdom | 4,284 | Sunk |
8 December 1917 | Nonni | Russian Empire | 4,105 | Sunk |
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.
- ^ Steinbrinck was the most successful of the Flanders U-boat commanders. After the war he joined the group and became a leading industrialist. In 1933 he joined the Freundeskreis Reichsführer SS. He was indicted in the Flick Trial at Nuremberg in 1947 and found guilty of membership in a criminal organisation.
- ^ Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Rössler 1979, p. 64.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 23–25.
- ^ Bendert 2000, p. 195.
- ^ Most Successful U-boats.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Bendert 2000, p. 67.
- ^ Bendert 2000, pp. 67–68.
- ^ McCartney, I. (2003). Lost patrols: Submarine wrecks of the English Channel. 24-25. Penzance: Periscope Books. ISBN 1904381049
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UB-18". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
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.
- Bendert, Harald (2000). Die UB-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine, 1914-1918. Einsätze, Erfolge, Schicksal (in German). Hamburg: Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn GmbH. ISBN 3-8132-0713-7.
- Rössler, Eberhard (1979). U-Bootbau bis Ende des 1. Weltkrieges, Konstruktionen für das Ausland und die Jahre 1935 – 1945. Die deutschen U-Boote und ihre Werften (in German). I. Munich: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-5213-7.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: Most Successful U-boats". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- German Type UB II submarines
- U-boats commissioned in 1915
- World War I submarines of Germany
- Maritime incidents in 1917
- U-boats sunk in 1917
- U-boats sunk by British warships
- 1915 ships
- Ships built in Hamburg
- Ships lost with all hands