In the article presented below, the topic of SM UC-16 will be addressed from a multidisciplinary approach, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and complete vision of this issue. Various perspectives and points of view will be examined that will allow the reader to understand the importance and relevance of SM UC-16 in different contexts and situations. Through a detailed and rigorous analysis, we will seek to shed light on little-known or overlooked aspects, in order to enrich knowledge and understanding about SM UC-16.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | UC-16 |
| Ordered | 29 August 1915[1] |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg[2] |
| Yard number | 266[1] |
| Launched | 1 February 1916[1] |
| Commissioned | 18 June 1916[1] |
| Fate | Probably sunk by mine in 4 October 1917[1] |
| General characteristics [3] | |
| Class & type | Type UC II submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draught | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Complement | 26 |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | 35-second diving time |
| Service record | |
| Part of |
|
| Commanders | |
| Operations | 13 patrols |
| Victories | |
SM UC-16 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (German: Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 1 February 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 18 June 1916 as SM UC-16.[Note 1] In 13 patrols UC-16 was credited with sinking 43 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-16 disappeared in October 1917. A postwar German study concluded that UC-16 probably sank after striking a mine off Zeebrugge[1]
Like all pre-UC-25 Type UC II submarines, UC-16 had a displacement of 417 tonnes (410 long tons) when at the surface and 493 tonnes (485 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 49.35 m (161 ft 11 in), beam of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in), and a draught of 3.65 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 500 metric horsepower (370 kW; 490 shp) (a total of 1,000 metric horsepower (740 kW; 990 shp)), two electric motors producing 460 metric horsepower (340 kW; 450 shp), and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 35 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 metres (160 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) and a submerged speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). When submerged, she could operate for 55 nautical miles (102 km; 63 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 9,430 nautical miles (17,460 km; 10,850 mi) at 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). UC-16 was fitted with six 100 centimetres (39 in) mine tubes,[3] eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm (3.5 in) Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.[3]
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage[Note 2] | Fate[6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 September 1916 | Andromeda | 149 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Beechwold | 129 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Britannia III | 138 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Cockatrice | 115 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Mercury | 183 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Phoenix | 117 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Refino | 182 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Rego | 176 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Restless | 125 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Viella | 144 | Sunk | |
| 23 September 1916 | Weelsby | 122 | Sunk | |
| 19 October 1916 | Alaunia | 13,405 | Sunk | |
| 22 October 1916 | Fortuna | 1,254 | Sunk | |
| 11 November 1916 | Daphne | 1,388 | Sunk | |
| 11 November 1916 | Veronica | 27 | Sunk | |
| 13 November 1916 | Marie Therese | 156 | Sunk | |
| 14 November 1916 | N.D. De Bon Secours | 81 | Sunk | |
| 14 November 1916 | Nominoe | 327 | Sunk | |
| 14 November 1916 | Salangane | 125 | Sunk | |
| 16 November 1916 | Lelia | 79 | Sunk | |
| 16 November 1916 | Vasco | 1,914 | Sunk | |
| 26 November 1916 | Caloric | 7,012 | Damaged | |
| 28 December 1916 | Suffolk | 7,573 | Damaged | |
| 30 December 1916 | Aspenleaf | 7,535 | Damaged | |
| 18 January 1917 | Taormina | 2,457 | Sunk | |
| 19 January 1917 | Anna | 1,237 | Sunk | |
| 19 January 1917 | Reinunga | 1,147 | Sunk | |
| 19 January 1917 | Theresdal | 1,762 | Sunk | |
| 21 January 1917 | Couronne | 169 | Sunk | |
| 22 January 1917 | Juno | 2,345 | Damaged | |
| 23 January 1917 | Ymer | 1,123 | Sunk | |
| 15 February 1917 | Leven | 775 | Sunk | |
| 26 February 1917 | Sea Gull | 144 | Sunk | |
| 26 February 1917 | HMT St. Germain | 307 | Damaged | |
| 15 March 1917 | Coonagh | 1,412 | Sunk | |
| 20 April 1917 | HMS Glen | 112 | Damaged | |
| 27 July 1917 | Dirk | 81 | Sunk | |
| 27 July 1917 | Dirk van Duyne | 116 | Sunk | |
| 27 July 1917 | Jan | 104 | Sunk | |
| 27 July 1917 | Majoor Thomson | 110 | Sunk | |
| 27 July 1917 | President Commissaris van den Burgh | 111 | Sunk | |
| 27 July 1917 | Sterna III | 111 | Sunk | |
| 28 July 1917 | Neptunus I | 80 | Sunk | |
| 16 August 1917 | Manchester Engineer | 4,465 | Sunk | |
| 17 August 1917 | Susie | 41 | Sunk | |
| 18 August 1917 | Ardens | 1,274 | Sunk | |
| 4 September 1917 | Bishopston | 2,513 | Sunk | |
| 7 September 1917 | Hinemoa | 2,283 | Sunk | |
| 7 September 1917 | Vestfjeld | 2,063 | Sunk |