SMS V27 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 German Empire |
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| Ordered | 1913 |
| Builder | AG Vulcan, Stettin |
| Launched | 26 March 1914 |
| Commissioned | 2 September 1914 |
| Fate | Sunk at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 975 t (960 long tons) |
| Length | 78.5 m (257 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in) |
| Draft | 3.63 m (11 ft 11 in) |
| Installed power | 23,500 PS (23,200 shp; 17,300 kW) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 33.5 kn (62.0 km/h; 38.6 mph) |
| Range | 1,950 nmi (3,610 km; 2,240 mi) at 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) |
| Complement | 83 officers and sailors |
| Armament |
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Imagine a fast, powerful little ship designed to launch torpedoes! That was the SMS V27, a special type of warship called a V25-class torpedo boat. It was part of the Imperial German Navy during World War I. Built in 1914 by AG Vulcan in Stettin (which is now Szczecin in Poland), its journey ended bravely in a huge sea battle called the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
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Building a Torpedo Boat
In 1913, the German Navy decided they needed new, strong torpedo boats. They ordered 12 of these ships. Six were built by AG Vulcan, and six by another company called Schichau-Werke. The V27 was one of the ships built by AG Vulcan.
These new torpedo boats were much bigger and more powerful than the older ones. They were designed to be fast and carry strong weapons.
The Launch of V27
The V27 was officially launched into the water on March 26, 1914. This is like a birthday for a ship! It was then finished and ready for duty on September 2, 1914. The "V" in its name, V27, shows that it was built by the AG Vulcan shipyard.
What Made V27 Special?
The V27 was about 78.5 metres (257 ft 7 in) long, which is longer than two basketball courts! It was 8.33 metres (27 ft 4 in) wide and could go 3.63 metres (11 ft 11 in) deep in the water.
It had three special boilers that made steam. This steam powered two strong engines called steam turbines. These engines gave the V27 enough power to go very fast, up to 33.5 knots (62.0 km/h; 38.6 mph) (about 38 miles per hour!). It could travel about 1,080 nautical miles (2,000 km; 1,240 mi) (around 1,240 miles) without needing to refuel.
Weapons on Board
The V27 was armed with:
- Three 8.8 cm (3.5 in) guns. These were used to fire shells at enemy ships.
- Six 50 cm (about 20 inches) torpedo tubes. Torpedoes are underwater missiles that can sink large ships. The V27 had two fixed tubes at the front and two double tubes at the back.
- It could also carry up to 24 mines. Mines are explosives placed in the water to damage enemy ships that pass over them.
The ship needed 83 officers and sailors to operate it.
V27's Time at Sea
The V27 began its service in October 1914. It was sent to the Baltic Sea as part of a group of ships called the 17th Half-flotilla.
In August 1915, the V27 took part in a battle in the Gulf of Riga. This was an important area for naval control.
The Battle of Jutland
The most famous battle the V27 was in was the Battle of Jutland. This was a huge naval battle fought on May 31, 1916, between the German and British navies. The V27 was part of the 9th Flotilla, helping to support the larger German battlecruisers.
Around 5:26 PM (German time), the 9th Flotilla, including V27, launched a torpedo attack on British battlecruisers. However, British destroyers (smaller, fast warships) quickly moved in and disrupted the attack.
During this fight, the V27 was hit by two shells. One of these hits cut its main steam pipe, which made the ship unable to move. The crew of the V27 had to leave their ship. Another German torpedo boat, the V26, came to rescue them. After taking the crew off, the V26 fired at the V27 to sink it, so it wouldn't fall into enemy hands.
Only three of V27's crew members were wounded in the battle. The V27 bravely served its country until its final moments in the Battle of Jutland.
