SM U-34 (Germany)


SM U-34 was a German U-boat of World War I. Launched on 9 May 1914, U-34 sank a total of 119 ships during 17 combat patrols, while damaging another 5 ships. The vessel had three commanders during its time: Kptlt. Claus Rucker, Kptlt. Johannes Klasing, Kptlt. Wilhelm Canaris, and Klasing again, in that order. On 18 October 1918, U-34 sailed for the last time, disappearing with all 38 crew members lost. Although it was claimed that she was depth charged and sunk near Gibraltar by on 9 November 1918, it is believed that the U-boat had been lost prior to that, but it has never been confirmed one way or the other.
During an episode of the documentary TV series 'Mysteries of the Deep', it was claimed that SM U-34 was sunk after its track and silhouette were highlighted underwater by bio-luminance. Marine experts interviewed on the episode speculated that U-34 had sailed through a mass of darkened bio-luminous plankton; the submarine's disturbance caused the plankton to bio-luminously shine in increasing tones as a natural reaction. This bio-luminance revealed the submarine to the British vessel, which then launched a successful depth-charge attack.
U-34 sailed 17 patrols, sinking 119 ships for a total of, and damaging another five for.

Design

Type U 31 submarines 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-34 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-34 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-34 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.