SM UB-18 (original) (raw)

SM UB-45, a U-boat similar to UB-18
History
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 Type UB II submarine
Displacement 263 t (259 long tons) surfaced 292 t (287 long tons) submerged
Length 36.13 m (118 ft 6 in) o/a 27.13 m (89 ft) pressure hull
Beam 4.36 m (14 ft 4 in) o/a 3.85 m (13 ft) pressure hull
Draught 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in)
Propulsion 1 × propeller shaft 2 × four-stroke 6-cylinder diesel engine, 284 PS (209 kW; 280 bhp) 2 × electric motor, 280 PS (210 kW; 280 shp)
Speed 9.15 knots (16.95 km/h; 10.53 mph) surfaced 5.81 knots (10.76 km/h; 6.69 mph) submerged
Range 6,650 nmi (12,320 km; 7,650 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) surfaced 45 nmi (83 km; 52 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth 50 m (160 ft)
Complement 2 officers, 21 men
Armament 2 × 50 cm (19.7 in) torpedo tubes 4 × torpedoes (later 6) 1 × 5 cm SK L/40 gun
Notes 45-second diving time
Service record
Part of: Flanders Flotilla 16 February 1916 – 9 December 1917
Commanders: Oblt.z.S. Franz Wäger 11 December 1915 – 15 February 1916 Oblt.z.S. Otto Steinbrinck 16 February – 27 October 1916 Oblt.z.S. Claus Lafrenz 28 October 1916 – 7 July 1917 Oblt.z.S. Ulrich Meier 8 July – 21 September 1917 Oblt.z.S. Georg Niemeyer 22 September – 9 December 1917
Operations: 31 patrols
Victories: 126 merchant ships sunk (129,783 GRT + Unknown GRT) 1 warship sunk (725 tons) 1 auxiliary warship sunk (1,058 GRT) 3 merchant ships damaged (3,217 GRT) 2 auxiliary warships damaged (4,359 GRT)

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 128 ships in 31 patrols for a total of 130,841 GRT and 725 tons,[3] making her the 17th most successful U-boat in both world wars. 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°W / 49.283; -5.783 on 9 December 1917.[2]

A 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]

Oberleutnant zur See (Oblt.z.S.) Franz Wäger 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.[4]

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 SS Charbutier, whose sinking was not observed. The attack on the French auxiliary minesweeper Au Revoir was more successful, sinking the 20-year-old ship of 1,058 GRT, killing 18 crew members. UB-18 returned to base arriving there 29 February 1916.[4]

On 4 March 1916 UB-18 provided flank cover for a German fleet sortie against the English east coast.[4]

From 7–11 March 1916, UB-18 operated against Allied shipping off Boulogne and Le Havre. On 8 March, she sunk a British steamer, SS Harmatris, and the following day, a Norwegian freighter, the Silius, and a French steamer, SS Louisane, fell victims to UB-18's torpedoes.[4]

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 SS Kelvinbank, and the Norwegian steamer SS Kannik 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.[5]

Sailing on her last patrol, she was seen off Start Point, Devon by SM 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.[6]

Summary of raiding history

[edit]

Date Name Nationality Tonnage[Note 3] Fate[7]
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 V.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 HMS Carrigan Head Royal Navy 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 136 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
3 June 1917 HMS Sarah Colebrooke Royal Navy 158 Damaged
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

  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. ^ Steinbrinck was the most successful of the Flanders U-boat commanders. After the war he joined the Flick 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.

  3. ^ Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.

  4. ^ a b c d e Rössler 1979, p. 64.

  5. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, pp. 23–25.

  6. ^ Bendert 2000, p. 195.

  7. ^ a b c d Bendert 2000, p. 67.

  8. ^ Bendert 2000, pp. 67–68.

  9. ^ McCartney, I. (2003). Lost patrols: Submarine wrecks of the English Channel. 24-25. Penzance: Periscope Books. ISBN 1904381049

  10. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UB 18". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 17 December 2014.