SM UC-71 was a German Type UC IIminelayingsubmarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 12 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 28 November 1916 as SM UC-71.[Note 1] In 19 patrols UC-71 was credited with sinking 63 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-71 sank on 20 February 1919 in the North Sea while on her way to be surrendered.[1] Discovery a century later of her wreck with all hatches open suggested she had been deliberately scuttled by her own crew (all of whom survived).[10]
Design
A Type UC II submarine, UC-71 had a displacement of 427 tonnes (420 long tons) when at the surface and 508 tonnes (500 long tons) while submerged. She had a length overall of 50.35m (165ft 2in), a beam of 5.22m (17ft 2in), and a draught of 3.64m (11ft 11in). The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 300 metric horsepower (220kW; 300shp) (a total of 600 metric horsepower (440kW; 590shp)), two electric motors producing 620 metric horsepower (460kW; 610shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12 knots (22km/h; 14mph) and a submerged speed of 7.4 knots (13.7km/h; 8.5mph). When submerged, she could operate for 52 nautical miles (96km; 60mi) at 4 knots (7.4km/h; 4.6mph); when surfaced, she could travel 10,420 nautical miles (19,300km; 11,990mi) at 7 knots (13km/h; 8.1mph). UC-71 was fitted with six 100 centimetres (39in) mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 centimetres (20in)torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8cm (3.5in) Uk L/30deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.[3]
1234567Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: UC 71". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
↑Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hugo Thielmann". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
↑Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by UC 71". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
Bibliography
Bendert, Harald (2001). Die UC-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918. Minenkrieg mit U-Booten (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN3-8132-0758-7.
Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol.2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN0-85177-593-4.
