U63 1940
| 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 |
|
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 |
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.
U60
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14