SM UB-116
SM UB-116 (UB III Class) 28/10/1918
Displacement: 651 t disp (surf)
Length: 55.3 m Beam: 5.8 m. Draught: 3.7 m.
Propulsion: 2 x diesel engines, 2 x electric motors
Complement: 36 officers and men.
Crew Lost: All
Armament: 10 torpedoes, 4 bow 50cm torpedo tubes, 1 stern torpedo tube, 1 x 105 mm KL/45 deck gun
Displacement: 651 t disp (surf)
Length: 55.3 m Beam: 5.8 m. Draught: 3.7 m.
Propulsion: 2 x diesel engines, 2 x electric motors
Complement: 36 officers and men.
Crew Lost: All
Armament: 10 torpedoes, 4 bow 50cm torpedo tubes, 1 stern torpedo tube, 1 x 105 mm KL/45 deck gun
Built by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg and launched in 1918;
History
UB-116 was Commissioned on the 24th May 1918 and was attached to the Flandern I Flotilla under the command of Oblt. Erich Stephan. after 3 patrols with no successes UB 118 was sent to the III Flotilla in October 1918 and her command given to Oblt. Hans Joachim Emsmann.
Oblt. Emsmann. had commanded two other U Boats prior to UB 116. These were UB 10 from February 1918 to May 1918 and UB 40 from May 1918 to July 1918. In these two commands 26 ships were sunk and 3 damaged.
In early October 1918 Oblt. Emsmann took command of UB 116.
Oblt. Emsmann. had commanded two other U Boats prior to UB 116. These were UB 10 from February 1918 to May 1918 and UB 40 from May 1918 to July 1918. In these two commands 26 ships were sunk and 3 damaged.
In early October 1918 Oblt. Emsmann took command of UB 116.
The Loss
On 25 October 1918 UB-116 left Heliogoland for Scapa Flow. The plan was to enter the fleet anchorage and sink as many large ships as possible. This had not been attempted since U 18 in 1914.
On 28 October UB 116 entered Hoxa Sound, Scapa Flow.
Hoxa Sound had a number of minefields.
These fields were covered by hydrophones, listening for engine noises and a galvanometer that would register if a steel/iron object passes over it. These were covered on the surface by lookouts and guns.
At about 21.20 the listening station reported the sound of engines The lookouts reported no surface ships so it was known that a submarine was attempting to enter the southern channel into Scapa Flow,
At 23.30 the galvanometer registered a submarine within the minefield which was then detonated from the shore. The engine noises stopped and next morning oil and bubbles were seen coming to the surface. Depth charges were then dropped to ensure destruction and wreckage came to the surface.
Over the next few weeks divers visited the site and a number of items were recovered including code books.
One of these divers was ''Dusty'' Miller and in the 1920's he gave an interview to newspaper's where he started a myth by claiming the entire crew were wearing officer uniforms and that the U Boat was full of suitcases implying the crew were intending to surrender after the attack.
The crew list shows the officer story not to be true but it is unknown about the suitcases or the crews intentions after the attack.
On 28 October UB 116 entered Hoxa Sound, Scapa Flow.
Hoxa Sound had a number of minefields.
These fields were covered by hydrophones, listening for engine noises and a galvanometer that would register if a steel/iron object passes over it. These were covered on the surface by lookouts and guns.
At about 21.20 the listening station reported the sound of engines The lookouts reported no surface ships so it was known that a submarine was attempting to enter the southern channel into Scapa Flow,
At 23.30 the galvanometer registered a submarine within the minefield which was then detonated from the shore. The engine noises stopped and next morning oil and bubbles were seen coming to the surface. Depth charges were then dropped to ensure destruction and wreckage came to the surface.
Over the next few weeks divers visited the site and a number of items were recovered including code books.
One of these divers was ''Dusty'' Miller and in the 1920's he gave an interview to newspaper's where he started a myth by claiming the entire crew were wearing officer uniforms and that the U Boat was full of suitcases implying the crew were intending to surrender after the attack.
The crew list shows the officer story not to be true but it is unknown about the suitcases or the crews intentions after the attack.
The Wreck.
UB-116 has the UKHO Wreck Card 992. The card was created in 1940 when the wreck was re-located by HMS Challenger in position 58 50 07N, 03 04 06W
Scapa Flow and approaches (south sheet)
Date: 1940. (UKHO)
The card was next updated in 1968 '' Wk sold to Metal Recoveries (Newhaven) Ltd.''
A note added in 1969 stated ''Raised in 1919 but lost in 585007N, 030406W.''
A diver report from 1982 reports the condition of the wreck ''Well broken up and totally unrecognisable. Highest point only about 3 mtrs (max). Remains of conning tower can be seen. But thought most of wreck now buried in seabed of soft sand(B Winfield 25.10.85)
In 1998 a description from Diver Magazine, October 1998, was inserted on the wreck card. ''Sections of plating twisted out of shape, together with pipes, wires, and broken switch boxes are all that remain.
A note added in 1969 stated ''Raised in 1919 but lost in 585007N, 030406W.''
A diver report from 1982 reports the condition of the wreck ''Well broken up and totally unrecognisable. Highest point only about 3 mtrs (max). Remains of conning tower can be seen. But thought most of wreck now buried in seabed of soft sand(B Winfield 25.10.85)
In 1998 a description from Diver Magazine, October 1998, was inserted on the wreck card. ''Sections of plating twisted out of shape, together with pipes, wires, and broken switch boxes are all that remain.
Birmingham Daily Post - Tuesday 03 December 1968
New attempt to raise sunken U-boat A U-boat, sunk with its volunteer crew of 38, all officers, on October 28, 1918, may be raised from the waters of Scapa Flow in a new salvage attempt. The boat, UBll6, was mined while trying to torpedo a British battleship to avenge the honour of the German navy, whose sailors had mutinied and refused to sail. Officially, the wreck was scrapped in 1919 because of the currents in the area off Hoxa Sound in the Orkneys, were too strong for divers with the equipment then available. Only the U-boat's gun was recovered.
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 03 December 1968
Suicide U-boat may get new life
Fifty years after making a suicide attempt to torpedo a British battleship at Scapa Flow, a U-boat, manned entirely by volunteers, may be raised in a new salvage attempt.
U.B.116 was mined on October 28, 1918, while trying to enter the anchorage astern of the British cruiser Minotaur.
The U.B.116 sailed from a Belgian port late in October 1918, manned by a crew of 36 officers. The German fleet had mutinied and had refused to sail to fight the British fleet. The crew of U.B.116 tried to avenge the honour of their Navy by breaking into Scapa Flow, although unknown to them, most of the British battleships had sailed earlier in the year for a new base in the Firth of Forth.
The U-boat is one of several German warships still lying on the bottom of Scapa Flow. For the past 13 years, Mr Arthur Nundy, a salvage expert from Hoy in the Orkneys, has been working with a team of ten divers from a former Royal Navy salvage vessel to cut up the wrecks of three German battleships and four cruisers which were scuttled in 1919.
New attempt to raise sunken U-boat A U-boat, sunk with its volunteer crew of 38, all officers, on October 28, 1918, may be raised from the waters of Scapa Flow in a new salvage attempt. The boat, UBll6, was mined while trying to torpedo a British battleship to avenge the honour of the German navy, whose sailors had mutinied and refused to sail. Officially, the wreck was scrapped in 1919 because of the currents in the area off Hoxa Sound in the Orkneys, were too strong for divers with the equipment then available. Only the U-boat's gun was recovered.
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 03 December 1968
Suicide U-boat may get new life
Fifty years after making a suicide attempt to torpedo a British battleship at Scapa Flow, a U-boat, manned entirely by volunteers, may be raised in a new salvage attempt.
U.B.116 was mined on October 28, 1918, while trying to enter the anchorage astern of the British cruiser Minotaur.
The U.B.116 sailed from a Belgian port late in October 1918, manned by a crew of 36 officers. The German fleet had mutinied and had refused to sail to fight the British fleet. The crew of U.B.116 tried to avenge the honour of their Navy by breaking into Scapa Flow, although unknown to them, most of the British battleships had sailed earlier in the year for a new base in the Firth of Forth.
The U-boat is one of several German warships still lying on the bottom of Scapa Flow. For the past 13 years, Mr Arthur Nundy, a salvage expert from Hoy in the Orkneys, has been working with a team of ten divers from a former Royal Navy salvage vessel to cut up the wrecks of three German battleships and four cruisers which were scuttled in 1919.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 02 August 1971
UNDERSEA ORKNEY WRECKS FOR SALE
An unusual job lot for sale in Orkney of various wrecks under the sea, in and around Scapa Flow. It includes a German U-Boat and an escort ship, a British naval ship as well as a Liberian coaster. The wrecks belong to Mr Michael Newton-Smith, sub marine and marine contractor, Newhaven, Sussex, who for the past few years has been operating in the Flow under the name of Metal Recoveries (Orkney) Ltd, salvaging sunken ships,
He is now ending his Orkney operations and selling of his materials and surplus equipment, including a lifting barge, It was while going to the aid of the grounded Irene, March 1969, that Longhope lifeboat capsized with the loss of her entire crew of eight. The Irene still lies on rocks at Grimness, off South Ronaldsay and she has about 1500 tons of prime steel. The submarine, a relic of World War I is U-boat 116, which lies under the surface in Pan Hope Bay.
UNDERSEA ORKNEY WRECKS FOR SALE
An unusual job lot for sale in Orkney of various wrecks under the sea, in and around Scapa Flow. It includes a German U-Boat and an escort ship, a British naval ship as well as a Liberian coaster. The wrecks belong to Mr Michael Newton-Smith, sub marine and marine contractor, Newhaven, Sussex, who for the past few years has been operating in the Flow under the name of Metal Recoveries (Orkney) Ltd, salvaging sunken ships,
He is now ending his Orkney operations and selling of his materials and surplus equipment, including a lifting barge, It was while going to the aid of the grounded Irene, March 1969, that Longhope lifeboat capsized with the loss of her entire crew of eight. The Irene still lies on rocks at Grimness, off South Ronaldsay and she has about 1500 tons of prime steel. The submarine, a relic of World War I is U-boat 116, which lies under the surface in Pan Hope Bay.
C Max CM2 side scan sonar image UB-116 Photo: SULA Diving.
Click on the link below to see a 3D model constructed by Simon Brown .................
The Crew † 28/10/1918
EK2 = Iron Cross Second Class, EK1 = Iron Cross First Class
EMSMANN, HANS JOACHIM (26), Oberleutnant zur See, EK2, Hanseatic Cross
HERTZBERG, EGON VON (25), Leutnant zur See, EK2
SCHÜTZ, FRIEDRICH (27), Leutnant zur See d. Res., EK1
FÖRSTER, ERICH (31), Marine-Ingenieur d. Res., EK2
SCHRADER, PAUL , Steuermann
GALLWITZ, PAUL , Maschinist d. Res.
AUER, HERMANN , Bootsmannsmaat
BÄUERLE, ROBERT , Matrose
BOCK, FRANZ , Maschinistenmaat
DÜMMLER, GUSTAV , Matrose
FÜSSER, JACOB , Heizer
GRÄBER, KURT , Matrose
GRADOWSKY, A. , Oberheizer
HAMUSECK, P. , Maschinistenmaat
HARMS, WILHELM , Matrose
HOFMANN, FRANZ , Oberbootsmannsmaat
KLEIN, JOHANN , Funktelegraphie-Gast
KÖFERL, JOSEF , Maschinistenmaat d. Res.
KOLBE, RICHARD , Heizer
LAUBNER, H. , Maschinistenmaat
LEHMANN, K. , Heizer
LISSNER, HUGO , Maschinistenmaat
OTTO, RICHARD , Maschinistenmaat
PAPROTNY, A. , Oberheizer
PECH, GUSTAV , Matrose
PUDELKO, JOHANN , Obermatrose
RAPP, LUDWIG , Heizer
ROCHOW, KARL , Matrose
ROERIG, EMIL , Heizer
SCHÄFFLER, KARL , Heizer
SCHLAILE, RUDOLF , Matrose
SCHLICHT, WILHELM , Obermaschinistenmaat
SCHWABE, FRITZ , Matrose
STRENTZSCH, K. , Funktelegraphie-Maat
UTT, WALTER , Heizer
WORTMANN, R. , Heizer
ZACHER, BRUNO , Maschinistenmaat
EMSMANN, HANS JOACHIM (26), Oberleutnant zur See, EK2, Hanseatic Cross
HERTZBERG, EGON VON (25), Leutnant zur See, EK2
SCHÜTZ, FRIEDRICH (27), Leutnant zur See d. Res., EK1
FÖRSTER, ERICH (31), Marine-Ingenieur d. Res., EK2
SCHRADER, PAUL , Steuermann
GALLWITZ, PAUL , Maschinist d. Res.
AUER, HERMANN , Bootsmannsmaat
BÄUERLE, ROBERT , Matrose
BOCK, FRANZ , Maschinistenmaat
DÜMMLER, GUSTAV , Matrose
FÜSSER, JACOB , Heizer
GRÄBER, KURT , Matrose
GRADOWSKY, A. , Oberheizer
HAMUSECK, P. , Maschinistenmaat
HARMS, WILHELM , Matrose
HOFMANN, FRANZ , Oberbootsmannsmaat
KLEIN, JOHANN , Funktelegraphie-Gast
KÖFERL, JOSEF , Maschinistenmaat d. Res.
KOLBE, RICHARD , Heizer
LAUBNER, H. , Maschinistenmaat
LEHMANN, K. , Heizer
LISSNER, HUGO , Maschinistenmaat
OTTO, RICHARD , Maschinistenmaat
PAPROTNY, A. , Oberheizer
PECH, GUSTAV , Matrose
PUDELKO, JOHANN , Obermatrose
RAPP, LUDWIG , Heizer
ROCHOW, KARL , Matrose
ROERIG, EMIL , Heizer
SCHÄFFLER, KARL , Heizer
SCHLAILE, RUDOLF , Matrose
SCHLICHT, WILHELM , Obermaschinistenmaat
SCHWABE, FRITZ , Matrose
STRENTZSCH, K. , Funktelegraphie-Maat
UTT, WALTER , Heizer
WORTMANN, R. , Heizer
ZACHER, BRUNO , Maschinistenmaat
