SM UC-41

SM "UC-41" was a German Type UC II U-boat commissioned and deployed to operate off the coast of the British Isles and attack coastal shipping as part of the First Battle of the Atlantic.

In a nine month career, the "UC-41" succeeded in sinking eighteen vessels totaling 18,233 tons. This total is believed to include the tiny naval fishing smacks "Nelson" and "Ethel & Millie" during an engagement on 15 August 1917. The Skipper of "Nelson", Thomas Crisp was killed and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, while the crew of the "Ethel & Millie" were taken prisoner and presumably were still aboard when the submarine was sunk.

Fate

"UC-41" was lost on 21 August 1917 after suffering an unexplained internal explosion of one of her mines which forced her to suddenly rise to the surface in the Tay estuary, where she was spotted by British naval trawlers and depth charged, killing all 27 German sailors and possibly seven British prisoners of war as well. Her wreck was recently rediscovered in 2003.

External links

* [http://www.uboat.net/wwi/boats/index.html?boat=UC+41 uboat.net webpage for "U-41"]