SM U-104[Note 1] was a German Type U 57 U-boat during the First World War. U-104 was built at AG Weser in Bremen, launched on 3 July 1917 and commissioned on 12 August 1917. She completed four patrols under Kptlt. Kurt Bernis and was responsible for the sinking of nine vessels of a total of 14,721 gross register tons (GRT).[3]
| History | |
|---|---|
 German Empire | |
| Name | U-104 |
| Ordered | 15 September 1915 |
| Builder | AG Weser, Bremen |
| Yard number | 255 |
| Laid down | 4 August 1916 |
| Launched | 3 July 1917 |
| Commissioned | 12 August 1917 |
| Fate | Depth-charged and sunk 25 April 1918. 41 dead, 1 survivor. |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | German Type U 57 submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 3.65 m (12 ft) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2 × 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) propellers |
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (164 ft 1 in) |
| Complement | 4 officers, 32 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | 4 patrols |
| Victories: |
9 merchant ships sunk (14,721 GRT) |
Loss edit
On 25 April 1918 the U-104 was engaged by USS Cushing in St. George's Channel and severely damaged. Later the same day HMS Jessamine came upon her and dropped further depth-charges, sinking her and leaving but a single survivor of her 42-member crew. The wreckage lies at position 51°59′N 6°26′W / 51.983°N 6.433°W.
Summary of raiding history edit
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 2] | Fate[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 October 1917 | Sapele |  United Kingdom
|
4,366 | Sunk |
| 15 December 1917 | Maidag |  Norway
|
1,253 | Sunk |
| 21 December 1917 | Spro | Norway
|
1,507 | Sunk |
| 25 December 1917 | Ajax |  Denmark
|
1,018 | Sunk |
| 2 March 1918 | Kenmare | United Kingdom
|
1,330 | Sunk |
| 12 April 1918 | Njaal |  Russian Empire
|
578 | Sunk |
| 16 April 1918 | Widwud | Russian Empire
|
299 | Sunk |
| 20 April 1918 | Lowther Range | United Kingdom
|
3,926 | Sunk |
| 22 April 1918 | Fern | United Kingdom
|
444 | Sunk |
See also edit
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.
- ^ Tonnages are in gross register tons
Citations edit
- ^ Gröner 1991, pp. 12–14.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Kurt Bernis". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 104". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit by U 104". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
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.