SM U-123

SM U-123[Note 1] was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-123 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic. [3]

For other ships with the same name, see German submarine U-123.
History
German Empire
Name: U-123
Ordered: 27 May 1916
Builder: Blohm & Voss, Hamburg
Launched: 26 January 1918
Commissioned: 20 July 1918
Fate: Surrendered 22 November 1918; scuttled English Channel 28 June 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:
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
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Karl Thouret[2]
  • 20 July – 11 November 1918
Operations: None
Victories: None

U-123 was surrendered to the Allies at Harwich on 22 November 1918 in accordance with the requirements of the Armistice with Germany. Initially earmarked for experiments, she was laid up at Portsmouth until towed out into the middle of the English Channel and scuttled on 28 June 1921.[4]


Design

German Type UE II submarines were preceded by the shorter Type UE I submarines. U-123 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 m (269 ft), a beam of 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in), a height of 10.16 m (33 ft 4 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-123 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, two 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/45 deck guns, and 600 rounds. She had a complement of forty (thirty-six crew members and four officers).[1]

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.

Citations
  1. Gröner 1991, p. 15.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Karl Thouret". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 123". 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, 125. ISBN 978 1 5267 4198 1.

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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