SM U-120

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
History
German Empire
NameU-120
Ordered27 May 1916
Builder
AG Vulcan, Hamburg
Yard number94
Launched20 June 1918
Commissioned31 August 1918
Fate
  • Surrendered on 22 November 1918
  • Broken up in April 1919
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeType UE II submarine
TypeCoastal minelaying submarine
Displacement
  • 1,164 t (1,146 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,512 t (1,488 long tons) submerged
Length
  • 81.52 m (267 ft 5 in) (
    o/a
    )
  • 61.20 m (200 ft 9 in) (
    pressure hull
    )
Beam7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)
Height10.16 m (33 ft 4 in)
Draught4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
Installed power
  • 2 × diesel engines, 2,400 PS (1,765 kW; 2,367 shp)
  • 2 ×
    electric motors
    , 1,200 PS (883 kW; 1,184 shp)
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 × 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed
  • 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) surfaced
  • 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) submerged
Range
  • 13,900 nmi (25,700 km; 16,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 35 nmi (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph) submerged
Test depth75 m (246 ft)
Complement4 officers, 36 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Hans von Mellenthin[2]
  • 31 August – 11 November 1918
Operations: None
Victories: None

SM U-120

First World War. She was surrendered to Italy on 22 November 1918, and was broken up in April 1919 at La Spezia
.

Design

draught of 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 75 metres (246 ft).[1]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph).[1] When submerged, she could operate for 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 13,900 nautical miles (25,700 km; 16,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-120 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (fitted at its bow), fourteen torpedoes, two 100 centimetres (39 in) mine chutes (fitted at its stern), forty-two mines, one 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and 494 rounds. She had a complement of forty (thirty-six crew members and four officers).[1]

References

Notes

  1. ^ "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e Gröner 1991, p. 15.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hans von Mellenthin (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 120". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2010.

Bibliography

  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. .