German submarine U-2361 facts for kids
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|} The German submarine U-2361was a special type of U-boatcalled a Type XXIII submarine. It was built for Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was ordered in September 1944 and built in Hamburg, Germany. It was finished quickly, being launched in January 1945 and ready for action by February 1945. U-2361was commanded by a naval officer named Heinz von Henning.
Contents
- How Big Was This Submarine?
- What Powered the U-2361?
- How Fast Could It Go?
- How Deep Could It Dive?
- What Weapons Did It Carry?
- How Many People Were on Board?
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany |
|
| Name | U-2361 |
| Ordered | 20 September 1944 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 515 |
| Laid down | 12 November 1944 |
| Launched | 3 January 1945 |
| Commissioned | 3 February 1945 |
| Fate |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type XXIII submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.66 m (12 ft) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
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| Range |
|
| Test depth | 180 m (590 ft) |
| Complement | 14–18 |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Commanders: |
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| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
What Was the U-2361 Like?
The U-2361 was a Type XXIII submarine, which was a smaller, faster type of U-boat. It was designed to operate closer to shore.
How Big Was This Submarine?
When it was on the surface, U-2361 weighed about 234 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, around 258 tons. The submarine was about 34.68 meters (113 feet 9 inches) long. Its widest part was about 3.02 meters (9 feet 11 inches) across. The submarine needed about 3.66 meters (12 feet) of water depth to float.
What Powered the U-2361?
The U-2361 used different engines to move. It had a diesel engine for when it was on the surface. This engine provided between 575 and 630 horsepower.
Underwater, it used electric motors. One was a powerful electric motor that gave 580 horsepower. It also had a special, quieter electric motor that produced 35 horsepower. This "silent running" motor helped the submarine move very quietly to avoid being detected.
How Fast Could It Go?
On the surface, the U-2361 could travel at a top speed of 9.7 knots (about 11 miles per hour). When it was underwater, it could go faster, reaching 12.5 knots (about 14 miles per hour).
It could travel a long way without needing to refuel. On the surface, it could go about 2,600 nautical miles (about 2,992 miles) at 8 knots. Underwater, it could travel about 194 nautical miles (about 223 miles) at 4 knots.
How Deep Could It Dive?
The U-2361 was built to withstand a lot of pressure. It could dive to a test depth of 180 meters (about 590 feet). This depth was tested to make sure the submarine's hull could handle the immense water pressure.
What Weapons Did It Carry?
The U-2361 was armed with two torpedo tubes located at the front (bow) of the submarine. These tubes were 53.3 centimeters (21 inches) wide. It could carry two torpedoes, which were loaded into the tubes and ready to be fired. Unlike some larger U-boats, this type of submarine did not have a deck gun.
How Many People Were on Board?
The crew of the U-2361 was quite small for a submarine. It usually had between 14 and 18 sailors.
What Happened to U-2361?
As World War II was ending, U-2361 surrendered to the Allied forces on May 9, 1945. This happened in Kristiansand–Süd, Norway.
Later, on May 29, 1945, the submarine was moved to Loch Ryan in Scotland. Many German U-boats that surrendered were part of something called Operation Deadlight. This operation involved sinking the captured submarines to prevent them from being used again.
U-2361 was one of the submarines chosen for this operation. On November 27, 1945, it was towed out to sea. It was then sunk by gunfire from two Allied warships: the British destroyer HMS Onslow and the Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica.
Today, the wreck of U-2361 lies at these coordinates: 56°10′N 10°05′W.
See also
