Type I U-Boat

History of Type I Submarines

Before the more advanced German U-boats entered service in World War II (1939-1945), the German government funded the first U-boat project after World War I, resulting in the Class I. The class consisted of only two ships - the U-25 and U-26 - yet laid the foundation for subsequent courses and gave the German Navy command of the Atlantic waters. Both had relatively short lives during the war, and both were killed in combat -- U-25 was sunk by mines, and U-26 was sunk by crew after being damaged by depth charges.

Submarines of that era were built according to two general performance lines - coastal and offshore cruising. The Type I represents the latter, and it presents engineers with entirely new challenges. This class was influenced by the Spanish E-1 type, which provided the deep sea capabilities sought by the German Navy.

The design of the new class was taken over by Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw and built by Deschimag in its Bremen shipyard. The U-25 was laid on June 28, 1935, launched on February 14, 1936, and entered service on April 6, 1936. U-26 was laid on August 1, 1935, launched on March 14, 1936, and entered service on May 6. 1936.

In early use, both ships were the main propaganda tools of the Nazi party. In addition to their political value at the time, the ships provided a valuable educational platform for a new generation of German submariners.

When constructed, the class displaces 710 tons under standard load, has a length of 237 feet 6 inches, a beam of 20 feet 4 inches, and a draft of 14 feet. The boats adopted the typical design profile of the time, with a flat upper deck, a boat-like bow shape and curved sides. The conning tower is kept near the midship to provide an impressive view of the ship. A deck gun was mounted forward of the turret to counter surface ships, while the anti-aircraft gun was mounted on an integral platform behind the turret. Power is provided by 2 x MAN M8V40-46 series 8-cylinder diesel engines delivering up to 3,080 hp to 2 axles.

These propel the boat on the water. Underwater propulsion is provided by 2 BBC GG UB720/8 series electric motors with an output of 1,000 hp. In keeping with other submarines of the time, the Type I had to surface to recharge the batteries and oxygen, while releasing any accumulated noxious gases. The propulsion system allows a maximum speed of 18 knots on the surface and 8 knots underwater. Range is limited to 7,900 nautical miles surface and 78 nautical miles underwater.

The ship can reach a depth of 200 meters. All in all, the Type I supports a typical crew of 43, consisting of 39 seamen and 4 officers.

The class was designed from the start as an attack submarine that could also lay naval minefields. As a result, the ships carried a total of six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes, four aimed at the bow and two at the stern. This gives the captain two angles of engagement, so his ship doesn't have to turn completely around to fire at targets behind.

A total of 14 torpedo reloads took place. As a minelayer, the submarine is authorized to carry approximately 28 TMA mines. 105mm SK C/32 caliber deck gun for surface threats, fully traversable on deck. Counter similar aerial threats by installing a 1 x 20mm anti-aircraft gun. These guns required the crew to be near (and exposed) the ship's deck and conning towers (common practice on most submarines at the time). ]

World War II officially began when German troops invaded neighboring Poland on September 1, 1939, and two ships were forced to perform combat duty. While these submarine designs were generally acceptable, they proved their abilities as slow divers, but were clumsy in control, although they still enjoyed fairly successful careers during their brief service.

The U-25 conducted five wartime patrols at sea during her tenure and is credited with sinking eight enemy ships totaling 50,255 tons between October 1939 and June 1940. Her crew also managed to damage at least one ship.

Her life ended on August 1, 1940, when she herself fell victim to a minefield set up by the British Navy during a mine-laying trip off the coast of Norway, and the resulting damage was so severe that the ship was destroyed by everyone lost hand (49).

U-26 conducted a total of 6 war patrols, sinking 11 enemy ships and damaging at least one other. Like the U-25, the U-26 was used in minelaying missions to help control vital waterways.

Her combat period began in August 1939 and ended on 1 July 1940 after being severely damaged by British depth charges. The ship had to surface, causing the crew (48) to sink U-26 and surrender. The U-26 sank 49,185 tons in the raid.

This ended the service record for the German Type I U-boat.

Submarine Specification Type I

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