German submarine U-4702

Postwar photo of Hecht (S 171), (former Type XXIII submarine U-2367). An identical sister ship of U-4702.
History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-4702
Ordered: 7 July 1944
Builder: Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel
Yard number: 944
Laid down: 28 October 1944
Launched: 20 December 1944
Commissioned: 12 January 1945
Fate: Scuttled on 5 May 1945
General characteristics (XXIII)
Type: Type XXIII
Displacement:
  • 232 t (228 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 256 t (252 long tons) (submerged)
Length:
  • 34.14 m (112 ft 0 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 0 in)
Installed power:
  • 575 PS (423 kW; 567 shp) (diesel drive)
  • 572 PS (421 kW; 564 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:
Operations: No patrols
Victories: None

German submarine U-4702 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 28 October 1944 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 944. She was launched on 20 December 1944 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Edgar Seeliger on 12 January 1945.[2]

Design

Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4702 had a displacement of 232 tonnes (228 long tons) when at the surface and 256 tonnes (252 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 34.14 m (112 ft 0 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 0 in). The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575 metric horsepower (423 kilowatts; 567 shaft horsepower), one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 572 PS (421 kW; 564 shp), and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS (26 kW; 35 shp).[3]

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 202 nautical miles (374 km; 232 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-3523 was fitted with two 53.3 cm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedos. The complement was 14 — 18 men. [3]This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.[2]

Service history

On 5 May 1945, U-4702 was scuttled in Gelting Bay near Gelting as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.[2]

See also

References

  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Edgar Seeliger". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-4702". Uboat.net. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Type XXIII U-Boat Coastal Submarine (1944)". Military Factory. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

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. 
  • Williamson, Gordon (2006). Wolf Pack. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84603-141-9. 

External links



This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, April 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.