In 1944 many of the surviving boats were equipped with the schnorkel apparatus which allowed them to use their diesel engines underwater at shallow depths. The electric motors produced 750 horsepower (560 kW) and could drive the boats a maximum of 7.6 knots. For submerged operations the boats were powered by one of a number of different electric motors whose batteries were charged by the diesels. The Type VIIC was powered by two supercharged Germaniawerft, 6 cylinder, 4-stroke M6V 40/46 diesel engines on the surface producing between 2,800 to 3,200 horsepower which gave the boats a 17.7 knot maximum speed on surface. They carried a maximum of 14 torpedoes and could carry 26 TMA Mines which would be laid at approaches to various ports. The standard configuration for torpedo tubes was 4 bow mounted tubes and 1 stern mounted tube although a small number only carried 2 forward and none aft. The Type VIICs were armed with a C35 88 mm/L45 gun with 220 rounds for surface actions and various types and numbers of anti-aircraft guns. This was deeper than any allied submarines of the period and a testament to their sound construction. The VIIC/41 could dive to 250 meters or 820 feet and a crush depth of 275-325 meters (902-1066 feet). The boats had a single pressure hull and the VIIC could dive to a maximum depth of 230 meters (754 feet) and had a crush depth of 250-295 meters (820-967 feet). They displaced a mere 769 tons on the surface and 871 tons submerged and were 67.1 meters (220.14 feet) long. However the American boats were designed for the vast expanse of the Pacific while the German boats for the most part were operated in the smaller confines of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The Type VIIC was developed from the prewar Type I and Type VIIA and VIIB classes.Ĭompared to contemporary American submarines of the Gato class they were smaller, mounted fewer torpedo tubes and had a shorter range. 568 of these U-Boats would be commissioned between 19 as well as 91 of the Type VIIC/41. The signature warship of the German Kreigsmarine of the Second World War has to be the U-Boat Type VIIC, the most numerous type of submarine ever produced by any Navy.
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