SM U-35 (Germany)


SM U-35 was a German U 31-class U-boat which operated in the Mediterranean Sea during World War I. It ended up being the most successful U-boat participating in the war, sinking 224 ships for a total of.
Her longest serving captain was Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière. Under his command, U-35 sank 195 ships, making him the most successful submarine commander in history.

Design

s were double-hulled ocean-going submarines similar to Type 23 and Type 27 subs in dimensions and differed only slightly in propulsion and speed. They were considered very good high sea boats with average manoeuvrability and good surface steering.
U-35 had an overall length of, her pressure hull was long. The boat's beam was , while the pressure hull measured. Type 31s had a draught of with a total height of. The boats displaced a total of ; when surfaced and when submerged.
U-35 was fitted with two Germania 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel engines with a total of for use on the surface and two Siemens-Schuckert double-acting electric motors with a total of for underwater use. These engines powered two shafts each with a propeller, which gave the boat a top surface speed of, and when submerged. Cruising range was at on the surface, and at under water. Diving depth was.
The U-boat was armed with four torpedo tubes, two fitted in the bow and two in the stern, and carried 6 torpedoes. Additionally U-35 was equipped in 1915 with one Uk L/30 deck gun, which was replaced with a gun in 1916/17.
The boat's complement was 4 officers and 31 enlisted.

Service history

U-35s keel was laid on 20 December 1912 at the Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft shipyard in Kiel. Its delivery date was supposed to be 1 March 1914, but it was delayed due to development problems with its diesel engines. U-35 officially entered service on 3 November 1914, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Waldemar Kophamel. The lead engineer was Hans Fechter. It sailed with the II Flottille, stationed in Heligoland.
U-35 completed its first two deployments in reconnaissance actions in the North Sea. In its following three actions, U-35 sunk 17 merchant ships, for a total of. Later, it was paired with after a battle near Cattaro, Montenegro, and sunk three merchant ships for a total of. U-35 made two more voyages and destroyed 15 more merchant ships totaling. These included on 23 October 1915 the British transport in the Aegean Sea. She was carrying an Ammunition Column of the 29th Division; and also staff of the 1st New Zealand Stationary Hospital, despite a British hospital ship Grantully Castle sailing on the same route on the same day.
On 9 November 1915, with the help of sister U-34, U-35 sank the SS Californian, a cargo ship best known for its inaction during the sinking of the RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912, despite being the closest ship in the area. U-35 delivered a coup-de-grace after U-34 had attacked Californian earlier. She was under tow from a French patrol boat when U-35 moved in to finish her off. Coincidentally, U-35 would also come within close proximity of the ill-fated Titanic's sister ship RMS Olympic on an unknown date in 1916, but "conditions made attack impossible."
On 18 November 1915, Kptlt. de la Perière took command of U-35. He led 15 missions, primarily in the Mediterranean, and sank 189 merchant ships for a total of. Additionally, U-35 sank the British gunboat on 29 February 1916 and the French gunboat Rigel on 2 October 1916.
On 26 February 1916, she successfully torpedoed and sank the Armed merchant cruiser, carrying 1,800 French troops, near Cerigo Island with a loss of 990 men.
U-35s fourteenth patrol under de la Perière stands as the most successful submarine patrol of all time. During that period, 54 merchant ships totaling were sunk.
She also sank on 4 October 1916, the French transport ship, leading to the death of between 600 and 1,800 men.
Kptlt. Ernst von Voigt took command of U-35 on 17 March 1918. He undertook two patrols, an enemy engagement and a redeployment cruise, between 7 September and 9 October 1918, but both were promptly broken off because of engine damage. On 14 October 1918, Kptlt. Heino von Heimburg took command and U-35 was transferred to Kiel.

Fate

After World War I ended, U-35 was transferred to England and docked in Blyth from 1919 to 1920, then broken up.

Original documents from Room 40

Summary of raiding history

DateNameNationalityTonnageFate
9 March 1915Blackwood1,230Sunk
9 March 1915Gris Nez208Sunk
15 March 1915Hyndford4,286Damaged
30 April 1915Laila748Sunk
2 June 1915Cubano4,352Sunk
4 June 1915George & Mary100Sunk
6 June 1915Sunlight1,433Sunk
7 June 1915Trudvang1,041Sunk
8 June 1915Express115Sunk
8 June 1915La Liberte302Sunk
8 June 1915Strathcarron4,347Sunk
8 June 1915Susannah115Sunk
10 June 1915Thomasina1,869Sunk
12 June 1915Bellglade664Sunk
12 June 1915Crown of India2,034Sunk
13 June 1915Diamant324Sunk
13 June 1915Hopemount3,300Sunk
13 June 1915Pelham3,534Sunk
10 August 1915Baltzer343Damaged
10 August 1915Francois2,212Sunk
10 August 1915Morna1,512Sunk
17 September 1915Ravitailleur2,815Sunk
19 September 1915Ramazan3,477Sunk
20 September 1915Linkmoor4,306Sunk
18 October 1915Scilla1,220Sunk
23 October 19157,057Sunk
3 November 1915Woolwich2,936Sunk
5 November 19151,862Sunk
5 November 1915Abbas298Sunk
5 November 1915Nour-el-bahr450Damaged
6 November 1915Caria3,032Sunk
6 November 19154,835Sunk
6 November 1915Lumina6,218Sunk
7 November 1915Moorina4,994Sunk
8 November 1915Den of Crombie4,949Sunk
8 November 1915Sir Richard Awdry2,234Sunk
8 November 19153,521Sunk
9 November 19156,223Sunk
17 January 1916Sutherland3,542Sunk
18 January 1916Marere6,443Sunk
20 January 1916Trematon4,198Sunk
26 February 191613,753Sunk
27 February 1916Giava2,755Sunk
28 February 1916Masunda4,952Sunk
29 February 19161,250Sunk
23 March 1916Minneapolis13,543Sunk
13 June 1916Maria C.77Sunk
13 June 1916Motia500Sunk
13 June 1916San Francesco Di Paola43Sunk
14 June 1916Antonia V132Sunk
14 June 1916Giosue20Sunk
14 June 1916San Francesco28Sunk
14 June 1916Tavolara701Sunk
15 June 1916Adelina170Sunk
15 June 1916Annette112Sunk
15 June 1916Audace144Sunk
15 June 1916S. Maria515Sunk
15 June 1916Sardinia1,119Sunk
16 June 1916Dolmetta M48Sunk
16 June 1916Era1,078Sunk
16 June 1916Eufrasia71Sunk
16 June 1916Gafsa3,922Sunk
16 June 1916Rondine112Sunk
17 June 1916Poviga3,360Sunk
18 June 1916Aquila2,191Sunk
18 June 1916Beachy4,718Sunk
18 June 1916Olga2,964Sunk
18 June 1916Rona1,312Sunk
19 June 1916France Et Russie329Sunk
19 June 1916Mario C.398Sunk
23 June 1916Giuseppina1,872Sunk
23 June 1916Herault2,299Sunk
24 June 1916Canford Chine2,398Sunk
24 June 1916Checchina184Sunk
24 June 1916Daiyetsu Maru3,184Sunk
24 June 1916San Francesco1,060Sunk
24 June 1916Saturnina Fanny1,568Sunk
25 June 1916Clara5,503Sunk
25 June 1916Fournel2,047Sunk
27 June 1916Mongibello4,059Sunk
27 June 1916Pino1,677Sunk
27 June 1916Roma2,491Sunk
27 June 1916Windermere2,292Sunk
29 June 1916Carlo Alberto312Sunk
29 June 1916Giuseppina214Sunk
29 June 1916Teano1,907Sunk
28 July 1916Dandolo4,977Sunk
30 July 1916Britannic3,487Sunk
30 July 1916Ethelbryhta3,084Sunk
30 July 1916Giuseppe Marta111Sunk
30 July 1916Katholm1,324Sunk
31 July 1916Citta Di Messina2,464Sunk
31 July 1916Einar135Sunk
31 July 1916Emilio G.166Sunk
31 July 1916Erling122Sunk
31 July 1916Generale Ameglio222Sunk
1 August 1916Heighington2,800Sunk
2 August 1916Eugenia550Sunk
2 August 1916Neptune151Sunk
3 August 1916Tricoupis2,387Sunk
4 August 1916Favonian3,049Sunk
4 August 1916Siena4,372Sunk
4 August 1916Teti2,868Sunk
4 August 1916Tottenham3,106Sunk
5 August 1916Achilleus843Sunk
5 August 1916Mount Coniston3,018Sunk
7 August 1916Newburn3,554Sunk
7 August 1916Trident3,129Sunk
8 August 1916Imperial3,818Sunk
8 August 1916Speme1,229Sunk
9 August 1916Antiope2,973Sunk
9 August 1916Ganekogorta Mendi3,061Sunk
9 August 1916Sebastiano3,995Sunk
10 August 1916Temmei Maru3,360Sunk
11 August 1916Pagasarri3,287Sunk
12 August 1916Gina443Sunk
12 August 1916Nereus3,980Sunk
12 August 1916Regina Pacis2,228Sunk
12 August 1916Saint Gaetan 125Sunk
13 August 1916Balmoral2,542Sunk
13 August 1916Eurasia1,898Sunk
13 August 1916Francesco Saverio214Sunk
13 August 1916Ivar2,139Sunk
14 August 1916Emilia319Sunk
14 August 1916Francesca161Sunk
14 August 1916Henriette B.176Sunk
14 August 1916Ida242Sunk
14 August 1916Lavinia243Sunk
14 August 1916Louis B.212Sunk
14 August 1916Pausania107Sunk
14 August 1916Rosario188Sunk
14 August 1916San Francesco Di Paolo112Sunk
14 August 1916San Giovanni Battista1,066Sunk
14 August 1916San Giuseppe Patriarca62Sunk
15 August 1916Augusta523Sunk
15 August 1916Candida Altieri282Sunk
15 August 1916Vergine Di Pompei145Sunk
16 August 1916Madre665Sunk
17 August 1916Swedish Prince3,712Sunk
18 August 1916Erix923Sunk
19 September 1916Doride1,250Sunk
19 September 1916Teresa270Sunk
22 September 1916Garibaldi5,185Sunk
22 September 1916Giovanni Zambelli2,485Sunk
23 September 1916Charterhouse3,021Sunk
24 September 1916Bronwen4,250Sunk
24 September 1916Bufjord2,284Sunk
24 September 1916Nicolo5,466Sunk
25 September 1916Benpark3,842Sunk
26 September 1916Newby2,168Sunk
26 September 1916Roddam3,218Sunk
26 September 1916Stathe2,623Sunk
27 September 1916Rallas1,752Sunk
27 September 1916Secondo3,912Sunk
27 September 1916Vindeggen2,610Sunk
29 September 1916Venus3,976Sunk
2 October 1916Rigel1,250Sunk
3 October 1916Samos1,186Sunk
4 October 1916Birk715Sunk
4 October 191614,966Sunk
5 October 1916Aurora2,806Sunk
5 October 1916Vera2,308Sunk
5 January 19172,555Sunk
5 January 1917Salvatore Padre200Sunk
6 January 1917Hudworth3,966Sunk
7 January 1917Mohacsfield3,678Sunk
8 January 1917Andoni3,188Sunk
8 January 1917Lynfield3,023Sunk
11 February 1917Assunta132Sunk
12 February 1917Lyman M. Law1,300Sunk
13 February 1917Percy Roy110Sunk
14 February 1917Mery178Sunk
14 February 1917Oceania4,217Sunk
15 February 1917Buranda3,651Sunk
16 February 1917Oriana3,132Sunk
16 February 1917Prudenza3,307Sunk
17 February 1917Pier Accavan Ubert112Sunk
18 February 1917Giuseppe1,856Sunk
18 February 1917Guido T324Sunk
18 February 1917Skogland3,264Sunk
23 February 1917Longhirst3,053Sunk
23 February 1917Mont Viso4,820Damaged
24 February 1917Dorothy3,806Sunk
24 February 1917Prikonisos3,537Sunk
3 April 1917Ardgask4,542Sunk
4 April 1917Marguerite1,553Sunk
4 April 1917Parkgate3,232Sunk
7 April 1917Maplewood3,239Sunk
11 April 1917Miss Morris156Sunk
12 April 1917India2,933Sunk
13 April 1917Giuseppe Accame3,224Sunk
13 April 1917Odysseus3,463Sunk
13 April 1917Stromboli5,466Sunk
14 April 1917Patagonier3,832Sunk
15 April 1917Panaghi Drakatos2,734Sunk
17 April 1917Brisbane River4,989Sunk
17 April 1917Corfu3,695Sunk
17 April 1917Fernmoor3,098Sunk
18 April 1917Trekieve3,087Sunk
19 April 1917Sowwell3,781Sunk
20 April 1917Leasowe Castle9,737Damaged
20 April 1917Lowdale2,260Sunk
20 April 1917Nentmoor3,535Sunk
23 April 1917Bandiera E Moro2,086Sunk
24 April 1917Bien Aime Prof. Luigi265Sunk
24 April 1917Nordsøen1,055Sunk
24 April 1917Torvore1,667Sunk
24 April 1917Vilhelm Krag3,715Sunk
27 April 1917Triana748Sunk
13 October 1917Alavi3,627Sunk
13 October 1917Despina G. Michalinos2,851Sunk
13 October 1917Doris3,979Sunk
13 October 1917Lilla2,819Sunk
15 October 1917City Of Belfast1,055Damaged
18 October 1917Lorenzo2,498Sunk
19 October 1917Ikoma Maru3,048Sunk
25 October 1917Fannie Prescott404Sunk
29 October 1917Namur6,694Sunk
31 October 1917Cambric3,403Sunk
2 November 1917Maria Di Porto Salvo91Sunk
2 November 1917San Francesco Di Paola G.91Sunk
11 December 1917Persier3,874Sunk
20 December 1917Fiscus4,782Sunk
20 December 1917Waverley3,853Sunk
23 December 1917Pietro3,860Sunk
24 December 1917Turnbridge2,874Sunk
25 December 1917Argo3,071Sunk
25 December 1917Cliftondale3,811Sunk
25 December 1917Nordpol2,053Sunk
23 February 1918Humberto274Sunk
26 February 1918Pytheas2,690Sunk
27 February 1918Kerman4,397Damaged
27 February 1918Marconi7,402Damaged
6 March 1918Daiten Maru4,555Sunk
7 March 1918Begona No.41,850Sunk
9 March 1918Silverdale3,835Sunk
Sunk:
Damaged:
Total:		546,707
32,490
579,197

Citations