SM UB-65 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 German Empire |
|
| Name | UB-65 |
| Ordered | 20 May 1916 |
| Builder | Vulkan Werke, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 90 |
| Launched | 26 June 1917 |
| Commissioned | 18 August 1917 |
| Fate | Lost to unknown cause off Padstow, Cornwall after 14 July 1918. |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | German Type UB III submarine |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 55.52 m (182 ft 2 in) (o/a) |
| Beam | 5.76 m (18 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Complement | 3 officers, 31 men |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Commanders: |
|
| Operations: | 6 patrols |
| Victories: |
|
SM UB-65 was a U-boat (a type of submarine) used by the Imperial German Navy during World War I. It was a Type UB III class submarine. The U-boat was ordered in May 1916 and built in Hamburg. It was launched in June 1917 and officially joined the navy in August 1917. Its commander was Martin Schelle.
Contents
Life of the UB-65
War Patrols and Successes
During its time in service, UB-65 went on six war patrols. It sank six merchant ships and damaged six others. It also sank a British warship called HMS Arbutus.
The Final Mystery
The UB-65 was lost off the coast of Padstow, Cornwall, in England. This happened on or after July 14, 1918. All 37 crew members were lost with the submarine. The exact reason for its sinking was a mystery for a long time.
Finding the UB-65 Wreck
How the Wreck Was Found
In 2004, a team went on an expedition to explore a U-boat wreck. The Royal Navy had found this wreck earlier during a regular survey. The expedition was part of a TV show called Wreck Detectives.
Identifying the Submarine
Experts like nautical archaeologist Innes McCartney and U-boat historian Dr. Axel Niestlé studied the wreck. They looked at special features like the type of deck gun and numbers on its propellers. This helped them confirm that the wreck was indeed UB-65.
What Caused the Sinking?
When they examined the wreck, there were no clear signs that it was attacked by weapons. However, experts couldn't completely rule out an attack. It was thought that shock from a depth charge could have damaged the inside of the submarine without showing much on the outside.
The back hatches of the submarine were open. This might mean that some crew members tried to escape. After looking at all the clues, experts believe UB-65 was most likely lost due to an accident. This happened on or after July 14, 1918.
Protecting the Wreck
Because UB-65 was identified, its wreck was given "protected place" status in 2006. This means it is now protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Old Stories About the Loss
Before the wreck was found, people had different ideas about how UB-65 was lost. German naval records suggested it was lost on July 10, 1918. They thought one of its own torpedoes exploded too early off the Irish coast.
The United States Navy had another story. A U.S. submarine, L-2, reported seeing a German submarine near Fastnet Lighthouse. The German submarine was listing heavily and seemed damaged. Before the U.S. submarine could attack, the German vessel exploded and sank. No one survived. The cause of this explosion was also unknown at the time.
Tales of Haunting
The Cursed Ship Stories
UB-65 is known for many stories about a ghost. People said it was the ghost of the second officer, Lieutenant Richter. He was killed when a torpedo exploded early in the U-boat's history.
The building of the ship also had many problems:
- Three crew members died from diesel fumes.
- Two more were crushed by a falling metal beam.
- During a test, one crew member was swept overboard and never seen again.
- On its first test dive, a part of the submarine broke. It sank to the bottom of the sea. The crew was stuck for 12 hours before they could bring it back to the surface.
These events made some crew members believe the ship was cursed. They say the Imperial German Navy even called a priest to perform an exorcism on the ship.
The Ghostly Figure
Tony Allan, in his book "Tales of Real Haunting," mentions a story. He says an American officer thought he saw someone on the deck just before UB-65 sank. It was a figure in a German officer's coat, standing with folded arms. Some believe this was Lieutenant Richter's ghost making a final appearance.
Are the Stories True?
Researchers George Behe and Michael Goss looked into these haunting stories. They believe the stories were made up by a journalist named Hector Charles Bywater. They think Bywater was a good storyteller who might have invented some of his sources. Behe and Goss concluded that official documents make it hard to believe UB-65 was actually haunted. They suggest Bywater was responsible for spreading these dramatic legends.
Summary of Raiding History
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 October 1917 | Margrete |  Denmark |
1,277 | Damaged |
| 12 December 1917 | Bellville |  Sweden |
992 | Sunk |
| 12 December 1917 | Charleston |  United Kingdom |
1,866 | Sunk |
| 14 December 1917 | Nor |  Norway |
1,418 | Sunk |
| 16 December 1917 | HMS Arbutus |  Royal Navy |
1,290 | Sunk |
| 2 March 1918 | Havna | Norway |
1,150 | Sunk |
| 4 May 1918 | Pensilva | United Kingdom |
4,316 | Damaged |
| 5 May 1918 | Pandora | United Kingdom |
85 | Damaged |
| 5 May 1918 | M. J. Hedley | United Kingdom |
449 | Damaged |
| 8 May 1918 | Elizabetta | United Kingdom |
335 | Damaged |
| 8 May 1918 | Thoralf | Denmark |
586 | Sunk |
| 13 May 1918 | Esperanza De Larrinaga | United Kingdom |
4,981 | Damaged |
| 14 July 1918 | Maria Jose |  Portugal |
185 | Sunk |
