NAVYPEDIA

Ships

Names	Builders	Commissioned	Losses	Transfers	Discarding
KS7, KS12 - KS15	Rolandwerft, Hemelingen: KS7 Claus Engelbrecht, Berlin: KS12 - KS15	1943: KS7, 12 - 15	KS7 (2.12.1943), KS12 (18.9.1944)	none	KS13 - 15: fate is unknown

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	15 - 16
Displacement full, t	18 - 19
Length, m	16.0
Breadth, m	3.50
Draught, m	1.10
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 BMW F16/200 petrol engines / 1 Steudel petrol engine for cruising
Power, h. p.	1300 / 36 or 90
Max speed, kts	30 - 32 / 4
Fuel, t	petrol
Endurance, nm(kts)	220(25)
Armament	1 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, 2 - 450 TT
Complement	8 - 13

Project history

Developed as fast coastal minelayers (Küsten Minenleger) for offensive minelaying operations at British coast. In total 36 boats were ordered, but two were destroyed on the stocks as result of a fire. The hull was composite, with V-shaped frames. They were equipped with BMW aviation motors and one cruising 36 or 90hp motor. Boats could carry 4 ground or 3 moored mines. Gun armament under the design consisted of two MGs, but in practice varied. In 1943-1944 20 boats (KM1, 2, 7, 9-15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23-26, 31 and 32) were converted to MTBs (Kleine Schnellboote, with change in numbers from KM to KS), receiving in a stern part instead of mine rails two light 450mm torpedo tubes. Some of them were commissioned already in this configuration. Boats were used mainly at inshore, lake and river areas.

Modernizations

1944, all survived: Steudel engine was replaced by Ford V-8 (90 hp), complement was decreased to 6 persons.

Naval service

Fate of KS13 - 15 is unknown.