German submarine U-987 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
 U-570 Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical to U-987.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-987 |
| Ordered | 25 May 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 187 |
| Laid down | 2 October 1942 |
| Launched | 2 June 1943 |
| Commissioned | 8 July 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 15 June 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range | |
| Test depth |
|
| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
| Identification codes: | M 53 910 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: |
|
| Victories: | None |
She was ordered on 25 May 1941, and was laid down on 2 October 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 187. She was launched on 2 June 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hilmar-Karl Schreyer on 8 July 1943.[2]
Design
editGerman Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-987 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3] She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), a beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-987 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and one twin 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between 44 — 52 men.[3]
Service history
editOn 15 June 1944, 19 days out of Stavanger on her first, and only war patrol, U-987 was sunk by torpedoes west of Narvik, in the Norwegian Sea. U-987 was attacked by the British submarine HMS Satyr. All Fifty-three of her crew were lost.[2]
The wreck is located at 68°01′N 05°08′E / 68.017°N 5.133°E.[2]
Wolfpacks
editU-987 took part in one wolfpack, namely:[2]
- Trutz (2 – 15 June 1944)
References
editExternal links
edit- Helgason, Guðmundur. "Patrols by U-987". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.
Bibliography
edit- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
- Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
- 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. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.