German Type UC III submarine


Type UC III minelaying submarines were used by the Imperial German Navy during World War I. They displaced at the surface and submerged, carried guns, 7 torpedoes and up to 14 mines. The ships were double-hulled with improved range and sea-keeping compared to the UC II type. The type had better seagoing, maneuvering and turning capabilities than its predecessor, while underwater stability was reduced.
A total of 113 Type UC III submarines were ordered by the Imperial German Navy, but only 25 U-boats were completed before the Armistice with Germany in 1918. Of those, 16 U-boats actually served in the war. 54 building orders were cancelled in 1918, while 34 U-boats were never completed and broken up in the ship yards.

Design

German Type UC III submarines had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. They had a length overall of, a beam of, and a draught of. The submarines were powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing , two electric motors producing, and two propeller shafts. They had a dive time of 15 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of.
The submarines were designed for a maximum surface speed of and a submerged speed of. When submerged, they could operate for at ; when surfaced, they could travel at. UC III-class boats were fitted with six mine tubes, fourteen UC 200 mines, three torpedo tubes, seven torpedoes, and one SK L/45 or Uk L/30 deck gun. Their complement was twenty-six crew members.

List of Type UC III submarines

Serving in World War I

There were 16 Type UC III submarines serving with the Imperial German Navy during World War I.

Completed after Armistice and surrendered to the Allies

Broken up at yard

Citations