SM UC-39

SM UC-39 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was launched on 25 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 31 October 1916 as SM UC-39. In one patrol, UC-39 was credited with sinking three ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid. UC-39 was forced to the surface by a depth charge attack and then sunk by gunfire from the British destroyer off Flamborough Head on 8 February 1917. Seven crew members died while 17 survived.

Design

A Type UC II submarine, UC-39 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. She had a length overall of, a beam of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing, two electric motors producing, and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 35 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a submerged speed of. When submerged, she could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. UC-39 was fitted with six mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three torpedo tubes, seven torpedoes, and one Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.