SM UC-33 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 26 August 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 25 September 1916 as SM UC-33.[Note 1] In seven patrols UC-33 was credited with sinking 36 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-33 was shelled and then rammed by patrol boat PC61 captained by Frank Worsley at position 51°55′N 6°14′W / 51.917°N 6.233°W in St. George's Channel on 26 September 1917.[1]
| History | |
|---|---|
 German Empire | |
| Name | UC-33 |
| Ordered | 29 August 1915[1] |
| Builder | AG Vulcan, Hamburg[2] |
| Yard number | 72[1] |
| Launched | 26 August 1916[1] |
| Commissioned | 25 September 1916[1] |
| Fate | Shelled and rammed, 26 September 1917[1] |
| General characteristics [3] | |
| Class and type | German Type UC II submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Complement | 26 |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | 48-second diving time |
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | 7 patrols |
| Victories: | |
Design
A German Type UC II submarine, UC-33 had a displacement of 400 tonnes (390 long tons) when at the surface and 480 tonnes (470 long tons) while submerged. She had a length overall of 49.45 m (162 ft 3 in), a beam of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in). The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 250 metric horsepower (180 kW; 250 shp) (a total of 500 metric horsepower (370 kW; 490 shp)), two electric motors producing 460 metric horsepower (340 kW; 450 shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) and a submerged speed of 6.7 knots (12.4 km/h; 7.7 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 53 nautical miles (98 km; 61 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 10,040 nautical miles (18,590 km; 11,550 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC-33 was fitted with six 100 centimetres (39 in) mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.
Summary of raiding history
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 2] | Fate[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 February 1917 | Derika |  Netherlands | 153 | Sunk |
| 14 February 1917 | Eudora |  United Kingdom | 1,991 | Sunk |
| 18 February 1917 | HMT Clifton |  Royal Navy | 242 | Sunk |
| 24 February 1917 | HMY Verona | Royal Navy | 437 | Sunk |
| 14 April 1917 | Hermione | United Kingdom | 4,011 | Sunk |
| 20 April 1917 | HMT Loch Eye | Royal Navy | 225 | Sunk |
| 21 April 1917 | Jedburgh | United Kingdom | 165 | Sunk |
| 21 April 1917 | Yeovil | United Kingdom | 164 | Sunk |
| 5 May 1917 | Lodes | United Kingdom | 396 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Beinir |  Denmark | 73 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Britannia | Denmark | 69 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Else | Denmark | 78 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Margrethe | Denmark | 104 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Olearia | United Kingdom | 209 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Sisapon | United Kingdom | 211 | Sunk |
| 23 May 1917 | Streymoy | Denmark | 81 | Sunk |
| 24 May 1917 | Brestir | Denmark | 69 | Sunk |
| 24 May 1917 | Isabella Innes | Denmark | 37 | Sunk |
| 24 May 1917 | Traveller | Denmark | 76 | Sunk |
| 25 May 1917 | A. H. Friis | Denmark | 110 | Sunk |
| 25 May 1917 | Glyg |  Norway | 358 | Sunk |
| 25 May 1917 | Whinlatter | Norway | 1,378 | Sunk |
| 28 June 1917 | Corona | United Kingdom | 48 | Sunk |
| 29 June 1917 | Gem | United Kingdom | 79 | Sunk |
| 29 June 1917 | Manx Princess | United Kingdom | 87 | Sunk |
| 30 June 1917 | HMS Cheerful | Royal Navy | 370 | Sunk |
| 30 June 1917 | Germania |  Sweden | 1,064 | Sunk |
| 1 July 1917 | Ariel | United Kingdom | 108 | Sunk |
| 2 July 1917 | General Buller | United Kingdom | 72 | Sunk |
| 2 July 1917 | Hamnavoe | United Kingdom | 57 | Sunk |
| 6 July 1917 | Handel en Visscherij | Netherlands | 76 | Sunk |
| 6 July 1917 | Piet Hein | Netherlands | 100 | Sunk |
| 6 July 1917 | Skjald | Norway | 477 | Sunk |
| 7 July 1917 | HMD Southesk | Royal Navy | 93 | Sunk |
| 13 August 1917 | Akassa | United Kingdom | 3,919 | Sunk |
| 19 August 1917 | Spectator | United Kingdom | 3,808 | Sunk |
| 26 September 1917 | San Zeferino | United Kingdom | 6,430 | Damaged |
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
- Bendert, Harald (2001). Die UC-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918. Minenkrieg mit U-Booten (in German). Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0758-7.
- Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
- Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-907-8. OCLC 12119866.
- Tarrant, V. E. (1989). The U-Boat Offensive: 1914–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-764-7. OCLC 20338385.