German destroyer Z36

Coordinates: 59°38.1′N 24°20′E / 59.6350°N 24.333°E / 59.6350; 24.333
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Semi-oblique photo of Z36
History
Nazi Germany
NameZ36
Ordered17 February 1941
Builder
Deschimag), Bremen
Yard numberW1006
Laid down15 September 1941
Launched15 May 1943
Commissioned19 February 1944
FateSunk by mine, 12 December 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType 1936B destroyer
Displacement
  • 2,519 long tons (2,559 t) (standard)
  • 3,542 long tons (3,599 t) (
    deep load
    )
Length127 m (416 ft 8 in) (
o/a
)
Beam12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Draught4.32 m (14 ft 2 in)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range2,600 nmi (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement316–336
Armament

Z36 was one of five

minefields, and bombarding Soviet forces. On 12 December, a navigational error caused her to enter a German minefield as she was preparing to lay another minefield in the Gulf of Finland off the Estonian coast. Z36 struck a single mine
and sank with the loss of all hands. The wreck was surveyed in 1994.

Design and description

The Type 1936B design retained the hull design of the Type 1936A, but reverted to the lighter main armament of the

kW; 69,000 shp) using steam provided by six Wagner water-tube boilers for a designed speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 835 tonnes (822 long tons) of fuel oil which gave a range of 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph).[1] Their crew consisted of 11–15 officers and 305–20 sailors.[2]

The Type 1936B ships carried five

2-centimetre (0.8 in) C/38 guns in three quadruple and three single mounts. The ship carried eight above-water 53.3-centimetre (21 in) torpedo tubes in two power-operated mounts. Two reloads were provided for each mount. They had four depth charge launchers and mine rails could be fitted on the rear deck that had a maximum capacity of 74–76 mines. 'GHG' (Gruppenhorchgerät) passive hydrophones were fitted to detect submarines and a S-Gerät sonar was also probably fitted. The ships were equipped with a FuMO 24/25 radar set above the bridge.[3][4]

Construction and career

Z36 was originally ordered as a Type 1938B destroyer from

working up Z36 was assigned to the 6. Zerstörerflotille (6th Destroyer Flotilla) in mid-1944.[5][6]

In preparation for

Sworbe, on Ösel, between 20 and 24 November.[7][8]

In mid-December, the 6. Zerstörerflotille, which now consisted of Z36, her sister ships Z35 and Z43, and the large torpedo boats T23 and T28, was tasked to lay a new minefield between the Estonian coast and an existing minefield slightly further out to sea. T23 was to escort the other ships and the destroyers were laden with 68 mines each. The mission was postponed to the night of 11/12 December because of bad weather and the flotilla sailed on the morning of the 11th. The weather gradually worsened over the course of the day and the spray and rain made navigation difficult. Having sailed a bit too far north, Z35 and Z36 blundered into the Nashorn (Rhinoceros) minefield that was only 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) north of the intended position of the new minefield. Around 02:00, Z36 struck a mine and sank very quickly with the loss of all hands.[7][9]

The wreck was surveyed by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment in 1994 at 59°38.1′N 24°20′E / 59.6350°N 24.333°E / 59.6350; 24.333.[10]

Notes

  1. ^ Gröner, p. 204.
  2. ^ Koop & Schmolke, p. 27.
  3. ^ Gröner, pp. 203–04.
  4. ^ Whitley, pp. 68, 71–73, 201.
  5. ^ Koop & Schmolke, pp. 24–25, 116.
  6. ^ Whitley, p. 180.
  7. ^ a b Koop & Schmolke, p. 116.
  8. ^ Rohwer, pp. 339, 351, 359, 363, 373–74.
  9. ^ Whitley, pp. 180–87.
  10. ^ Saari, Jukka. "Z 36" (in Finnish). Pohjalla Ry. Retrieved 13 March 2018.

Bibliography

Further reading

External links
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