SM U-119[Note 1] was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-119 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic.[3]

History
German Empire
NameU-119
Ordered27 May 1916
BuilderAG Vulcan Stettin
Yard number93
Launched4 April 1918
Commissioned20 June 1918
FateSurrendered to France on 20 November 1918. Later renamed René Audry and was eventually broken up on 7 October 1937.
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeType UE II submarine
TypeCoastal minelaying submarine
Displacement
  • 1,164 t (1,146 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,512 t (1,488 long tons) submerged
Length
Beam7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)
Height10.16 m (33 ft 4 in)
Draught4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
Installed power
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 × 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed
  • 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) surfaced
  • 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) submerged
Range
  • 13,900 nmi (25,700 km; 16,000 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 depth75 m (246 ft)
Complement4 officers, 36 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • I Flotilla
  • Unknown start – 11 November 1918
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Edmund Pauli[2]
  • 20 June 1918 – 11 November 1918
Operations: 1 patrol
Victories: None

Design

edit

Type UE II submarines were preceded by the shorter Type UE I submarines. U-119 had a displacement of 1,164 tonnes (1,146 long tons) when at the surface and 1,512 tonnes (1,488 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 81.52 m (267 ft 5 in), 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 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) 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 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 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 13,900 nautical miles (25,700 km; 16,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-119 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (fitted at its bow), fourteen torpedoes, two 100 centimetres (39 in) mine chutes (fitted at its 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]

References

edit

Notes

edit
  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

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Gröner 1991, p. 15.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Edmund Pauli". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 119". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

Bibliography

edit
  • 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.