SM U-120

SM U-120[Note 1] was a Type UE II long-range minelayer submarine of the Imperial German Navy.[3] She was built at Hamburg, Germany, by Aktiengesellschaft Vulcan and launched on 20 June 1918. She was commissioned in the Imperial German Navy on 31 August 1918 with Kapitänleutnant Hans von Mellenthin in command. She had a short-lived career, not being assigned to any flotillas, nor achieving any successful attacks on enemy shipping, before the end of the First World War. She was surrendered to Italy on 22 November 1918, and was broken up in April 1919 at La Spezia.

For other ships with the same name, see German submarine U-120.
History
German Empire
Name: U-120
Ordered: 27 May 1916
Builder: AG Vulcan, Hamburg
Launched: 20 June 1918
Commissioned: 31 August 1918
Fate:
  • Surrendered on 22 November 1918
  • Broken up in April 1919
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: German Type UE II submarine
Type: Coastal minelaying submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,164 t (1,146 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,512 t (1,488 long tons) submerged
Length:
Beam: 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in)
Height: 10.16 m (33 ft 4 in)
Draught: 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
Installed power:
Propulsion: 2 shafts, 2 × 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed:
  • 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) surfaced
  • 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) submerged
Range:
  • 13,900 nmi (25,700 km; 16,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) surfaced
  • 35 nmi (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph) submerged
Test depth: 75 m (246 ft)
Complement: 4 officers, 36 enlisted
Armament:
Service record
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Hans von Mellenthin[2]
  • 31 August – 11 November 1918
Operations: None
Victories: None

Design

German Type UE II submarines were preceded by the shorter Type UE I submarines. U-120 had a displacement of 1,164 tonnes (1,146 long tons) when at the surface and 1,512 tonnes (1,488 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 81.52 metres (267 ft 5 in), a beam of 7.42 m (24 ft 4 in), a height of 10.16 m (33 ft 4 in), and a draught of 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in). The submarine was powered by two 2,400 metric horsepower (1,800 kW; 2,400 shp) engines for use while surfaced, and two 1,200 metric horsepower (880 kW; 1,200 shp) engines for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 75 metres (246 ft).[1]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.7 knots (27.2 km/h; 16.9 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph).[1] When submerged, she could operate for 35 nautical miles (65 km; 40 mi) at 4.5 knots (8.3 km/h; 5.2 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 13,900 nautical miles (25,700 km; 16,000 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph). U-120 was fitted with four 50 centimetres (20 in) torpedo tubes (fitted at its bow), fourteen torpedoes, two 100 centimetres (39 in) mine chutes (fitted at its stern), forty-two mines, one 15 cm (5.9 in) SK L/45 deck gun, and 494 rounds. She had a complement of forty (thirty-six crew members and four officers).[1]

References

Notes
  1. "SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" (English: His Majesty's) and combined with the U for Unterseeboot would be translated as His Majesty's Submarine.

Citations
  1. Gröner 1991, p. 15.
  2. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boat commanders: Hans von Mellenthin (Pour le Mérite)". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  3. Helgason, Guðmundur. "WWI U-boats: U 120". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 21 January 2010.

Bibliography
  • 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.

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