German submarine Hai (S 170)

German submarine Hai, the former U-2365 Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II, was one of the first submarines of the Bundesmarine. She was ordered on 20 September 1944, and was laid down on 6 December 1944 at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, as yard number 519. She was launched on 26 January 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Fritz-Otto Korfmann on 2 March 1945.[3] Scuttled in 1945, the boat was raised in 1956 and commissioned into the newly-founded Bundesmarine as Hai, where she served until she sank by accident in 1966.

Postwar photo of Hecht (S-171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-2365
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-2365
Ordered: 20 September 1944
Builder: Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg
Yard number: 519
Laid down: 6 December 1944
Launched: 26 January 1945
Commissioned: 2 March 1945
Fate: Scuttled on 8 May 1945
Status: Raised in June 1956
History
Germany
Name: Hai
Namesake: Shark
Commissioned: 15 August 1957
Identification: Pennant number:S 170
Fate: Sank on 14 September 1966
Status: Raised and broken up
General characteristics (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 234 t (230 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 258 t (254 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a)
  • 26.00 m (85 ft 4 in) (p/h)
Beam:
  • 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a)
  • 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in) (p/h)
Draught: 3.66 m (12 ft)
Installed power:
  • 575–630 PS (423–463 kW; 567–621 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp) (standard electric drive)
  • 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp) (silent electric drive)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 9.7 knots (18 km/h; 11 mph) (surfaced)
  • 12.5 knots (23 km/h; 14 mph) (submerged)
Range:
  • 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 194 nmi (359 km; 223 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth: 180 m (590 ft)
Complement: 14–18
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Fritz-Otto Korfmann[1]
  • 2 March 1945 – 2 May 1945
  • Oblt.z.S. Uwe Christiansen[2]
  • 3 May 1945 – 8 May 1945
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-2365 had a displacement of 234 tonnes (230 long tons) when at the surface and 258 tonnes (254 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.68 m (113 ft 9 in) (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (9 ft 11 in) (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m (12 ft). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575–630 metric horsepower (423–463 kilowatts; 567–621 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 580 PS (430 kW; 570 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[4]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 knots (18.0 km/h; 11.2 mph) and a submerged speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph). When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) for 194 nautical miles (359 km; 223 mi); when surfaced, she could travel 2,600 nautical miles (4,800 km; 3,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-2365 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedoes. The complement was 14 – 18 men.[4] This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[3]

Service history

On 8 May 1945, U-2365 was scuttled northwest of Anholt in the Kattegat as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was originally located at 56°51′N 11°49′E.

Post war service

In June of 1956, U-2365 was raised by the German Federal Navy and commissioned U-Hai on 15 August 1957. On 14 September 1966, she foundered on Dogger Bank in the North Sea during a gale. Nineteen of the twenty crewmen were lost, making this one of the worst peacetime naval disasters in German history. She was raised on 19 September 1966 from 47 m (154 ft) of water and broken up.[3]

The wreck was originally located at 55°15′N 04°22′E.

See also

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Fritz-Otto Korfmann". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Uwe Christiansen". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2365". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  4. Gröner 1991, p. 89.

Bibliography
  • 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.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2005). Wolf Pack: The Story of the U-boat in World War II. Osprey. ISBN 1841768723.
  • Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-2365". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
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