SM UB-31 facts for kids
SM UB-45, a U-boat similar to UB-31
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 German Empire |
|
| Name | UB-31 |
| Ordered | 22 July 1915 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Cost | 1,152,000 German Papiermark |
| Yard number | 255 |
| Launched | 16 November 1915 |
| Completed | 24 March 1916 |
| Commissioned | 25 March 1916 |
| Fate | sunk 2 May 1918 by British warships |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | German Type UB II submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.69 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Complement | 2 officers, 21 men |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | 42-second diving time |
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: | 25 patrols |
| Victories: |
|
SM UB-31 was a German submarine (also called a U-boat) that served in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The letters "SM" stand for "Seiner Majestät," which means "His Majesty's" in German. So, "SM UB-31" means "His Majesty's Submarine UB-31."
This U-boat was ordered on July 22, 1915. It was built and then launched into the water on November 16, 1915. Finally, it officially joined the German Imperial Navy on March 25, 1916.
During its time in service, UB-31 went on 25 patrols. It managed to sink 26 ships and damage 8 others. On May 2, 1918, UB-31 was sunk in the English Channel. British warships like Lord Leitrim, Loyal Friend, and Ocean Roamer attacked it with depth charges. Another idea is that it might have been sunk by a sea mine on the same day.
Contents
What Was the UB-31 Like?
UB-31 was a German Type UB II submarine. This type of submarine was designed to be smaller and quicker.
Size and Weight
When UB-31 was on the surface of the water, it weighed about 274 tons. When it was underwater, it weighed a bit more, around 303 tons. The submarine was about 36.90 meters (121 feet) long. Its widest part, called the beam, was about 4.37 meters (14 feet) across. The part of the submarine that sat below the water, called the draught, was about 3.69 meters (12 feet) deep.
How It Moved
The UB-31 had two different types of engines to help it move. It had two Benz diesel engines for when it was on the surface. These engines produced a total of 270 horsepower. When it was underwater, it used two Siemens-Schuckert electric motors, which produced 280 horsepower. These engines powered a single propeller shaft to push the submarine through the water.
Speed and Range
On the surface, UB-31 could travel at a top speed of 9.06 knots. Underwater, it was slower, reaching a maximum speed of 5.71 knots. It could travel quite far on its fuel. On the surface, it could go about 7,030 nautical miles (about 13,020 kilometers) at a speed of 5 knots. Underwater, its range was much shorter, about 45 nautical miles (83 kilometers) at 4 knots.
Diving Deep
This submarine could dive to a depth of up to 50 meters (164 feet) below the surface. It was also very quick at diving. It could go from the surface to fully submerged in just 42 seconds.
Crew and Weapons
The UB-31 needed a crew of 23 people to operate it. This included two officers and 21 other sailors. For its weapons, it had two torpedo tubes, which could fire four torpedoes (later increased to six). It also had a deck gun on its top, which was an 8.8 cm (3.5 inch) Uk L/30 naval gun.
Ships UB-31 Attacked
UB-31 was involved in many attacks on ships during its patrols. Here are some of the ships it either sank or damaged:
- On April 9, 1917, it sank the British ship Kittiwake.
- On April 24, 1917, it damaged the French ship Saint Jacques.
- On April 28, 1917, it sank the large British ship Medina.
- On May 21, 1917, it sank the British ship City of Corinth.
- On June 15, 1917, it damaged the British ship Teesdale.
- On June 17, 1917, it sank the British ship Stanhope.
- On July 5, 1917, it sank the British ship Ocean Swell.
- On July 6, 1917, it damaged the British ship Ariadne Christine.
- On July 7, 1917, it sank the British ship Bellucia.
- On July 10, 1917, it sank the American ship Hildegard.
- On July 11, 1917, it sank the British ship Brunhilda.
- On August 1, 1917, it sank the British ships Alcyone and Laertes.
- On August 2, 1917, it sank the British ship Newlyn.
- On August 3, 1917, it sank the French ship Renee Marthe.
- On August 8, 1917, it damaged the French ship Algerie.
- On September 8, 1917, it sank the British ship Elizabeth.
- On September 9, 1917, it sank the Norwegian ship Pluton.
- On October 19, 1917, it sank the British ship Waikawa.
- On October 20, 1917, it sank the British ship Colorado.
- On October 23, 1917, it damaged the British ship Lepanto.
- On November 19, 1917, it sank the British ship Farn.
- On December 13, 1917, it sank the British ship Britannic.
- On December 15, 1917, it damaged the British ship Sachem.
- On December 18, 1917, it sank the British ship Riversdale.
- On December 20, 1917, it sank the British ships Alice Marie, Eveline, and Warsaw.
- On January 22, 1918, it damaged the British ship Admiral Cochrane and sank the British ship Greatham.
- On January 24, 1918, it sank the Norwegian ship Elsa.
- On February 28, 1918, it sank the Dutch ship Heenvliet.
- On March 20, 1918, it damaged the Australian ship Boorara.
- On April 25, 1918, it sank the French ship Joseph.
