SM UC-29 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 15 July 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 15 August 1916 as SM UC-29. In an eight-month career, the UC-29 performed seven combat patrols into the Atlantic Ocean during the German war on Allied trade (Handelskrieg). In these patrols she was very successful, sinking 18 allied ships, totalling 21,909 GRT. She also damaged 4 ships of 17,154 GRT. On 7 June 1917 she torpedoed the British Q-ship HMS Pargust off the Irish coast, but was ambushed by her hidden armaments when she approached too close and was sunk with 23 hands. Pargust was commanded by British submarine hunter Gordon Campbell and had on board Ronald Niel Stuart and William Williams, who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions in the engagement. Her wreck lies in Cork Harbour, Ireland.

Design

A Type UC II submarine, UC-29 had a displacement of 400 t when at the surface and 480 t while submerged. She had a length overall of 49.45 m, a beam of 5.22 m, and a draught of 3.68 m. The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 260 PS (a total of 520 PS), two electric motors producing 460 PS, and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 m. The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.6 kn and a submerged speed of 6.7 kn. When submerged, she could operate for 53 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 9410 nmi at 7 kn. UC-29 was fitted with six 100 cm mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 cm torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.

Summary of raiding history

Citations