| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany | |
| Name | U-63 |
| Ordered | 21 July 1937 |
| Builder | Deutsche Werke AG,Kiel |
| Yard number | 262 |
| Laid down | 2 January 1939 |
| Launched | 6 December 1939 |
| Commissioned | 18 January 1940 |
| Fate | Sunk, 25 February 1940 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Type IIC coastal submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Height | 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in) |
| Draught | 3.82 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 80 m (260 ft) |
| Complement | 3 officers, 22 men |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of |
|
| Identification codes | M 06 536 |
| Commanders |
|
| Operations |
|
| Victories | 1 merchant ship sunk (3,840 GRT) |
German submarineU-63 was aType IICU-boat ofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarine that served in theSecond World War. She was built byDeutsche Werke AG,Kiel. Ordered on 21 July 1937, she waslaid down on 2 January 1939 as yard number 262. She waslaunched on 6 December 1939 andcommissioned on 18 January 1940 under the command ofOberleutnant zur See Günther Lorentz.
U-63 was initially assigned to the1st U-boat Flotilla during her training period, until 1 February 1940. She stayed with that organization until her sinking.
German Type IIC submarines were enlarged versions of the originalType IIs.U-63 had a displacement of 291 tonnes (286 long tons) when at the surface and 341 tonnes (336 long tons) while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was 250 long tons (250 t), however.[1] The U-boat had a total length of 43.90 m (144 ft 0 in), apressure hull length of 29.60 m (97 ft 1 in), abeam of 4.08 m (13 ft 5 in), a height of 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in), and adraught of 3.82 m (12 ft 6 in). The submarine was powered by twoMWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinderdiesel engines of 700 metric horsepower (510 kW; 690 shp) for cruising, twoSiemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36double-acting electric motors producing a total of 410 metric horsepower (300 kW; 400 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 0.85 m (3 ft)propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 80–150 metres (260–490 ft).[1]
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph).[1] When submerged, the boat could operate for 35–42 nautical miles (65–78 km; 40–48 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 3,800 nautical miles (7,000 km; 4,400 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).U-63 was fitted with three 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes at the bow, fivetorpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a2 cm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft gun. The boat had acomplement of 25.[1]
U-63 left the German island ofHelgoland (also known as 'Heligoland'), on 17 February 1940.[2] She, along with five other U-boats, took part inOperation Nordmark, a reconnaissance mission for the GermanBattleshipsScharnhorst andGneisenau andCruiserAdmiral Hipper (for what proved to be an unsuccessful sortie). It took place in the vicinity of theOrkney andShetland Islands between 18 and 20 February.[3]
The boat sank theSantos offKirkwall, Orkney, on 24 February 1940.
U-63 was sunk on 25 February 1940 by a mix ofdepth charges andtorpedoes from the British warshipsHMS Escort,HMS Inglefield andHMS Imogen and the submarineHMS Narwhal south ofShetland. The approximate location of the wreck site is58°40′N00°10′W / 58.667°N 0.167°W /58.667; -0.167.
One man died, there were 24 survivors. Those who survived spent the remainder of the war asPOWs.[3][4]
| Date | Ship | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate[5] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 February 1940 | Santos |  Sweden | 3,840 | Sunk |