SM UC-39 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 20 November 1915 and was launched on 25 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 31 October 1916 as SM UC-39. In one patrol, UC-39 was credited with sinking three ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-39 was forced to the surface by a depth charge attack and then sunk by gunfire from the British destroyer HMS Thrasher (1895) off Flamborough Head on 8 February 1917. Seven crew members died while 17 survived.

Design

A Type UC II submarine, UC-39 had a displacement of 427 t when at the surface and 509 t while submerged. She had a length overall of 50.35 m, a beam of 5.22 m, and a draught of 3.65 m. The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 300 PS (a total of 600 PS), two electric motors producing 460 PS, and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 35 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 m. The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.9 kn and a submerged speed of 6.6 kn. When submerged, she could operate for 54 nmi at 6.8 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 10180 nmi at 7 kn. UC-39 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