The UB II type submarine was a class of U-boat built during World War I by the German Imperial Navy. They were enlarged from the preceding type UB I and were more effective vessels. The boats were a single hull design with a 50-metre maximum diving depth and a 30-45 second diving time. In 1915 and 1916, 30 were built at two different shipyards.[2]

SM UB-45
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Preceded byUB I
Succeeded byUB III
Built1915–1916
In commission1915–1931
Completed30
Active0
Lost20[1]
Preserved1 (UB-46 was salvaged)
General characteristics
Displacement
  • 263–279 t (259–275 long tons) surfaced
  • 292–305 t (287–300 long tons) submerged
Length36.13–36.90 m (118 ft 6 in – 121 ft 1 in) (o/a)
Beam4.36 m (14 ft 4 in)
Draught3.66–3.75 m (12 ft 0 in – 12 ft 4 in)
Installed power
Propulsion1 shaft, 1 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) propeller
Speed
  • 8.82–9.15 knots (16.33–16.95 km/h; 10.15–10.53 mph) surfaced
  • 5.71–6.22 knots (10.57–11.52 km/h; 6.57–7.16 mph) submerged
Range
  • 6,450–7,200 nmi (11,950–13,330 km; 7,420–8,290 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) surfaced
  • 45 nmi (83 km; 52 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth50 m (160 ft)
Complement2 officers, 21 men
Armament

Design

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The design of type UB II addressed many of the problems apparent in the preceding type UB I class. The UB II boats featured a two-shaft drive with a much larger battery capacity and larger engines. Storage batteries were placed forward of the central diving tanks to compensate for the much heavier engine installation.[3]

The armament of the type UB II consisted of 50 cm G torpedoes launched from two bow tubes. The torpedo tubes were installed one above the other to allow for a bow design that would create optimal surface efficiency. A 5 cm gun was provided on the deck for surface use.[3]

The weight of the boat was increased to 270 tons of surface displacement to accommodate these improvements. Saddle tanks were fitted to the sides of the pressure hull to allow greater fuel storage area.[3]

List of Type UB II submarines

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There were 30 Type UB II submarines commissioned into the German Imperial Navy.

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Bendert 2000, p. 9.
  2. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat Types: Type UB II". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net.
  3. ^ a b c Rossler 1975, p. 50.

Bibliography

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  • Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.