German submarine U-776 facts for kids

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|} The German submarine U-776was a special type of submarine called a Type VIIC U-boat. It was part of Nazi Germany's navy, the Kriegsmarine, during World War II. This submarine was ordered in November 1940. Its construction started on March 4, 1943, at the Kriegsmarinewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven. It was launched into the water on March 4, 1944. The U-776officially joined the navy on April 13, 1944, under the command of Lothar Martin.

Contents

• Submarine Design and Features

• Size and Weight
• Engines and Speed
• Range and Depth
• Crew and Weapons

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-776
Ordered	21 November 1940
Builder	Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven
Yard number	159
Laid down	4 March 1943
Launched	4 March 1944
Commissioned	13 April 1944
Fate	Surrendered on 16 May 1945 Foundered and sank on 3 December 1945
General characteristics
Class and type	Type VIIC submarine
Displacement	769 tonnes (757 long tons) surfaced 871 t (857 long tons) submerged
Length	67.10 m (220 ft 2 in) o/a 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in) pressure hull
Beam	6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height	9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Installed power	2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels) 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion	2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Speed	17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range	8,500 nmi (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth	220 m (720 ft) Crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement	4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament	5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × 3.7 cm (1.5 in) Flak M42 AA gun 2 × twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft guns
Service record
Part of:	31st U-boat Flotilla 13 April 1944 – 8 May 1945
Commanders:	Kptlt. Lothar Martin 13 April 1944 – 16 May 1945
Operations:	1 patrol: 22 March – 16 May 1945
Victories:	None

• Service History

• Surrender and Fate

Submarine Design and Features

German Type VIIC submarines were a common type of U-boat used during the war. The U-776 was designed to be powerful and effective.

Size and Weight

When U-776 was on the surface, it weighed about 769 tonnes (which is like 769,000 kilograms!). When it was underwater, it weighed even more, about 871 tonnes. The submarine was quite long, measuring about 67.10 meters (220 feet) from end to end. Its main body, called the pressure hull, was 50.50 meters (165 feet 8 inches) long.

The submarine was 6.20 meters (20 feet 4 inches) wide and 9.60 meters (31 feet 6 inches) tall. It sat 4.74 meters (15 feet 7 inches) deep in the water.

Engines and Speed

U-776 had two powerful diesel engines for moving on the surface. These engines could produce a lot of power, between 2,800 and 3,200 horsepower. When submerged, it used two electric motors that produced 750 horsepower.

The submarine had two propellers to push it through the water. It could travel at a top speed of 17.7 knots (about 32.8 kilometers per hour) on the surface. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a maximum speed of 7.6 knots (about 14.1 kilometers per hour).

Range and Depth

When surfaced, U-776 could travel a very long distance, about 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 kilometers) at a speed of 10 knots. This means it could cross oceans! Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 80 nautical miles (150 kilometers) at 4 knots.

The submarine was built to go deep underwater. It could safely operate at depths of up to 220 meters (720 feet). Its maximum crush depth, where the pressure would be too much, was between 250 and 295 meters (820 and 968 feet).

Crew and Weapons

The U-776 needed a crew of about 44 to 52 people, including 4 officers.

For defense and attack, the submarine was equipped with several weapons:

• Five torpedo tubes (four at the front and one at the back). It could carry 14 torpedoes or 26 mines.
• One 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) deck gun with 220 rounds of ammunition.
• One 3.7 cm (1.5 inch) Flak M42 anti-aircraft gun.
• Two twin 2 cm (0.79 inch) C/30 anti-aircraft guns.

Service History

The U-776 took part in only one war patrol during its time in service. During this patrol, it did not sink or damage any enemy ships.

Surrender and Fate

On May 16, 1945, the U-776 surrendered to the Allied forces at Portland, UK. For a short time, the British Navy used it for tests and even gave it a new name, N-65. It was also toured along the British coast.

Later, the submarine was moved to Loch Ryan, Scotland. After the war ended, many German U-boats that had surrendered were sunk in an operation called Operation Deadlight. U-776 was one of 116 U-boats chosen for this operation.

On December 3, 1945, U-776 was being towed out to the area where it was supposed to be sunk. However, it started to sink on its way there. It was one of 56 U-boats that sank before reaching the planned scuttling areas.

A newspaper article from May 23, 1945, mentioned the U-776:

The U-776, one of the German submarines which were surrendered at Weymouth is now moored to Westminster Pier, close by the Houses of Parliament, and will open to public inspection tomorrow. Our pictures show the submarine on her arrival at Westminster and a view of the engine room. — Wednesday 23 May 1945 - London, "Surrendered U-BOAT at Westminster Pier", The Times

The remains of the U-776 now lie at these coordinates: 55°08′N 05°30′W / 55.133°N 5.500°W / 55.133; -5.500.