German submarine U-983 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-983.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-983 |
| Ordered | 25 May 1941 |
| Builder | Blohm & Voss, Hamburg |
| Yard number | 183 |
| Laid down | 7 September 1942 |
| Launched | 12 May 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 June 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk on 8 September 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type VIIC submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
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| Beam |
|
| Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
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| Range | |
| Test depth |
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| Complement | 4 officers, 44–52 enlisted |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Identification codes: | M 52 911 |
| Commanders: | |
| Operations: | None |
| Victories: | None |
She was ordered on 25 May 1941, and was laid down on 7 September 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 183. She was launched on 12 May 1943 and commissioned under the command of Leutnant zur See Hans Reimers on 16 June 1943.[2]
Design
editGerman Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-983 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-983 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 8 September 1943, U-983 sank north of Łeba in the Baltic Sea after colliding with U-988. Thirty-eight of the crew of forty-three survived, rescued on 9 September by U-854 which was in the area for training, and brought to Hel.[2]
The wreck was located at 54°56′N 17°14′E / 54.933°N 17.233°E.[2]
References
editBibliography
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.
External links
edit- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIC boat U-983". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.