The Type I German U-boat was a sea-going submarine, built along the lines of the Turkish submarine GUR. These were used for training purposes prior to the outbreak of World War II but then added to the combat fleet as Frontboots (combat submarines). This was the prototype for many of the larger ocean-going German U-boats in the early stages of the war. There were no variants made to the Type I, therefore there was no "A" or "B" added to the design. There was simply the Type I.
Displacement................ 862 tons surface; 983 tons submerged
Dimensions..................... 237' 6" x 20'3" x 14'
Engines............................ twin shaft diesel and electric
Power (diesel)........... 2,800 hp
(electric)....... 1,000 hp
Speed (diesel).......... 17.75 knots
(electric)...... 8.25 knots
Bunkers........................ 96 tons of fuel oil
Radius (diesel)..... 6,700 miles @ 12 knots
(electric).. 78 miles @ 4 knots
Tubes (fwd)........... four 21 inch
(aft)............ Two 21 inch
(carried fourteen torpedoes)
Guns.......................... Single 4.1 inch deck gun
AA Guns.................. Single 20mm
Crew........................ 43 men
This Type was not well liked by their crews, as they had the unpleasant habit of diving whenever the boat felt like it and worse yet - they would sometimes pop out of the water without any warning.....not a good thing when ASW forces were about.
Only two Type I German U-Boats were ever built and put into service. They were U-25 (photo above) and U-26.
Learn more about the U-Bootwaffe - the men, the boats, their missions etc. direct from the veterans themselves. CLICK HERE for more information.
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