NAVYPEDIA

Photo

U60  

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
U56		254	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	9.1937	9.1938	11.1938	sunk 28.4.1945
U57		255	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	9.1937	3.9.1938	12.1938	scuttled 3.5.1945
U58		256	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	9.1937	14.10.1938	2.1939	scuttled 3.5.1945
U59		257	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	10.1937	12.10.1938	3.1939	scuttled 3.5.1945
U60		259	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	10.1938	1.6.1939	7.1939	scuttled 2.5.1945
U61		260	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	10.1938	15.6.1939	8.1939	scuttled 2.5.1945
U62		261	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	1.1939	16.11.1939	12.1939	scuttled 2.5.1945
U63		262	Deutsche Werke, Kiel	1.1939	6.12.1939	1.1940	sunk 25.2.1940

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	291 / 341
Length, m	43.9
Breadth, m	4.08
Draught, m	3.82
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 MWM diesels / 2 SSW electric motors
Power, h. p.	700 / 410
Max speed, kts	12 / 7
Fuel, t	diesel oil 23
Endurance, nm(kts)	3800(8) / 35 - 42(4)
Armament	1 x 1 - 20/65 C/38, 3 - 533 TT (bow, 5 or 18 mines)
Electronic equipment	GHG hydrophone
Complement	22
Diving depth operational, m	80

Graphics

Project history

First submarines built in Germany after a cancellation of Versailles limitations. As prototype Finnish submarine Vesikko, designed in Germany on the basis of coastal submarines of types UB-II and UF of the First World War period was been taken.  II series submarines differed from a prototype by increased machinery power and fuel stowage and improved manoeuvrability. These submarines received in Kriegsmarine nickname "canoe".

Single-hulled, with internal ballast tanks. Operational diving depth was 80m, maximal 120m; diving time was 25-35sec. Welding, widely used at building, allowed to lower hull weight. Differences between types were brought together basically to increasing of hull dimensions and fuel stowage. First two series originally did not receive artillery, guns were installed already during service; since type IIC 20mm MG has been included in the project. Instead of torpedoes submarines could carry 12 TMA or 18 TMB mines.

To beginning of war majority of boats of II series served in training role, but then they began to be got to take part in battle operations, including minelaying. U57 and U58, as experiment, in 1943 received snorkels.

Modernizations

1942-1943, most survived: + FuMO 30 radar, FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite

1943-1944, most survived: - FuMB 1 Metox ECM suite; + FuMB 3 Bali, FuMB 6 Palau ECM suite

Naval service

U57 was sunk 3.9.1940 as result of collision with Norwegian s/s Rona at Brunsbüttel, salvaged 9.9.1940, entered service again 11.1.1941 and 3.5.1945 was scuttled at Kiel. U63 was sunk 25.2.1940 by British destroyers Escort, Inglefield and Imogen S off Shetland.

Following submarines were scuttled by crews: U60, U61 and U62 5.5.1945 at Wilhelmshaven; U56, U58 and U59 3.5.1945 at Kiel.