SM U-122

SM U-122[Note 1] was a Type UE II long-range minelayer submarine of the Imperial German Navy during World War I. U-122 was engaged in naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic.[3] U-122 succeeded in sinking one ship during her career for a total of 278 tons.

For other ships with the same name, see German submarine U-122.
History
German Empire
Name: U-122
Ordered: 27 May 1916
Builder: AG Vulcan, Hamburg
Launched: 9 December 1917
Commissioned: 4 May 1918
Fate: Surrendered 26 November 1918; scuttled English Channel 1 July 1921.
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: German Type UE II submarine
Type: Coastal minelaying submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,163 t (1,145 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,468 t (1,445 long tons) submerged
Length: 82.00 m (269 ft) (o/a)
Beam: 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)
Height: 10.16 m (33 ft 4 in)
Draught: 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
Installed power:
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 × 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed:
  • 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) surfaced
  • 7.2 knots (13.3 km/h; 8.3 mph) submerged
Range:
  • 11,470 nmi (21,240 km; 13,200 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 35 nmi (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph) submerged
Test depth: 75 m (246 ft)
Complement: 4 officers, 36 enlisted
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
  • I Flotilla
  • unknown start – 11 November 1918
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Alfred Korte[2]
  • 4 May 1918 – 11 November 1918
Operations: 1 patrol
Victories: 1 merchant ship sunk (278 GRT)

U-122 was surrendered to the Allies at Harwich on 26 November 1918 in accordance with the requirements of the Armistice with Germany. She was later laid up at Chatham until towed out round into the English Channel and scuttled off the Isle of Wight on 1 July 1921.[4]

Design

German Type UE II submarines were preceded by the shorter Type UE I submarines. U-122 had a displacement of 1,163 tonnes (1,145 long tons) when at the surface and 1,468 tonnes (1,445 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 82 metres (269 ft), a beam of 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in), a height of 10.12 m (33 ft 2 in), and a draught of 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,235 metric horsepower (908 kW; 1,218 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.61 m (5.3 ft) propellers. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 75 metres (246 ft).[1]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.2 knots (13.3 km/h; 8.3 mph).[1] When submerged, she could operate for 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 11,470 nautical miles (21,240 km; 13,200 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-122 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (fitted at the bow), twelve torpedoes, two 100 centimetres (39 in) mine chutes (fitted at the stern), forty-two mines, one 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and 494 rounds. She had a complement of forty (thirty-six crew members and four officers).[1]

Summary of raiding history
Date Name Nationality Tonnage[Note 2] Fate[5]
18 October 1916 Njordur  Iceland 278 Sunk

References

Notes
  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. Tonnages are in gross register tons

Citations
  1. Gröner 1991, p. 15.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Alfred Korte". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 122". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  4. Dodson, Aidan; Cant, Serena (2020). Spoils of War: the fate of enemy fleets after the two World Wars,. Barnsley: Seaforth. pp. 54, 124. ISBN 978 1 5267 4198 1.
  5. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 122". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.

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.

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