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German submarine U-47 (1938)

Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:46:39 PM Wikipedia source

German submarine U-47 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was laid down on 25 February 1937 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel as yard number 582 and went into service on 17 December 1938 under the command of Günther Prien. During U-47's career, she sank a total of 31 enemy vessels, including the British battleship HMS Royal Oak, and damaged nine more. U-47 was the thirteenth most successful U-boat of World War II based on tonnage of enemy shipping sunk. U-47 disappeared in March 1941, and the 45 crewmembers are presumed to have died. Her fate remains unknown.

Infobox

Installed power
2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels) 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Builder
Germaniawerft, Kiel
Ordered
21 November 1936
Complement
4 officers, 40–56 enlisted
Launched
29 October 1938
Test depth
230 m (750 ft) Calculated crush depth: 250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Sensors &processing systems
Gruppenhorchgerät
Name
U-47
Beam
6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Commanders
Kptlt. / K.Kapt. Günther Prien 17 December 1938 – 7 March 1941
Propulsion
2 shafts 2 × diesel engines 2 × electric motors
Operations
10 patrols: 1st patrol: 19 August – 15 September 1939 2nd patrol: a. 8 – 17 October 1939 b. 20 – 21 October 1939 3rd patrol: a. 16 November – 18 December 1939 b. 29 February – 5 March 1940 4th patrol: 11 – 29 March 1940 5th patrol: 3 – 26 April 1940 6th patrol: 3 June – 6 July 1940 7th patrol: 27 August – 25 September 1940 8th patrol: 14 – 23 October 1940 9th patrol: 3 November – 6 December 1940 10th patrol: 20 February – 7 March 1941
Speed
17.9 knots (33.2 km/h; 20.6 mph) surfaced 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) submerged
Yard number
582
Draught
4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
Range
8,700 nmi (16,112 km; 10,012 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced 90 nmi (170 km; 100 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Identification codes
M 18 837
Fate
Missing 7 March 1941, in the North Atlantic near the Rockall Bank and Trough.
Displacement
753 t (741 long tons) surfaced 857 t (843 long tons) submerged
Part of
7th U-boat Flotilla 17 December 1938 – 7 March 1941
Laid down
27 February 1937
Length
66.50 m (218 ft 2 in) o/a 48.80 m (160 ft 1 in) pressure hull
Victories
30 merchant ships sunk (162,769 GRT) 1 warship sunk (29,150 tons) 8 merchant ships damaged (62,751 GRT) 1 warship damaged (10,035 tons)
Class & type
Type VIIB U-boat
Commissioned
17 December 1938
Armament
5 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four bow, one stern) 14 × torpedoes or 26 TMA mines 1 × 8.8 cm (3.46 in) deck gun (220 rounds) 1 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun

Tables

· Summary of raiding history
5 September 1939
5 September 1939
Date
5 September 1939
Ship
Bosnia
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
2,407
Fate and location
Sunk at .mw- .mw- .mw- 45°29′N 09°45′W / 45.483°N 9.750°W / 45.483; -9.750 (Bosnia (ship))
6 September 1939
6 September 1939
Date
6 September 1939
Ship
Rio Claro
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
4,086
Fate and location
Sunk at 46°30′N 12°00′W / 46.500°N 12.000°W / 46.500; -12.000 (Rio Claro (ship))
7 September 1939
7 September 1939
Date
7 September 1939
Ship
Gartavon
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
1,777
Fate and location
Sunk at 47°04′N 11°32′W / 47.067°N 11.533°W / 47.067; -11.533 (Gartavon (ship))
14 October 1939
14 October 1939
Date
14 October 1939
Ship
HMS Royal Oak
Nationality
Royal Navy
Tonnage
29,150
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°55′N 02°59′W / 58.917°N 2.983°W / 58.917; -2.983 (Royal Oak (ship))
28 November 1939
28 November 1939
Date
28 November 1939
Ship
HMS Norfolk
Nationality
Royal Navy
Tonnage
10,035
Fate and location
Claimed hit: actually missed
5 December 1939
5 December 1939
Date
5 December 1939
Ship
Novasota
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
8,795
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°43′N 10°16′W / 50.717°N 10.267°W / 50.717; -10.267 (Novasota (ship))
6 December 1939
6 December 1939
Date
6 December 1939
Ship
Britta
Nationality
Norway
Tonnage
6,214
Fate and location
Sunk at 49°19′N 05°35′W / 49.317°N 5.583°W / 49.317; -5.583 (Britta (ship))
7 December 1939
7 December 1939
Date
7 December 1939
Ship
Tajandoen
Nationality
Netherlands
Tonnage
8,159
Fate and location
Sunk at 49°09′N 04°51′W / 49.150°N 4.850°W / 49.150; -4.850 (Tajandoen (ship))
25 March 1940
25 March 1940
Date
25 March 1940
Ship
Britta
Nationality
Denmark
Tonnage
1,146
Fate and location
Sunk at 60°00′N 04°19′W / 60.000°N 4.317°W / 60.000; -4.317 (Britta (ship))
14 June 1940
14 June 1940
Date
14 June 1940
Ship
Balmoralwood
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,834
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°19′N 10°28′W / 50.317°N 10.467°W / 50.317; -10.467 (Balmoralwood (ship))
21 June 1940
21 June 1940
Date
21 June 1940
Ship
San Fernando
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
13,056
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°20′N 10°24′W / 50.333°N 10.400°W / 50.333; -10.400 (San Fernando (ship))
24 June 1940
24 June 1940
Date
24 June 1940
Ship
Cathrine
Nationality
Panama
Tonnage
1,885
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°08′N 14°00′W / 50.133°N 14.000°W / 50.133; -14.000 (Cathrine (ship))
27 June 1940
27 June 1940
Date
27 June 1940
Ship
Lenda
Nationality
Norway
Tonnage
4,005
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°12′N 13°18′W / 50.200°N 13.300°W / 50.200; -13.300 (Lenda (ship))
27 June 1940
27 June 1940
Date
27 June 1940
Ship
Leticia
Nationality
Netherlands
Tonnage
2,580
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°11′N 13°15′W / 50.183°N 13.250°W / 50.183; -13.250 (Leticia (ship))
29 June 1940
29 June 1940
Date
29 June 1940
Ship
Empire Toucan
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
4,127
Fate and location
Sunk at 49°20′N 13°52′W / 49.333°N 13.867°W / 49.333; -13.867 (Empire Toucan (ship))
30 June 1940
30 June 1940
Date
30 June 1940
Ship
Georgios Kyriakides
Nationality
Greece
Tonnage
4,201
Fate and location
Sunk at 50°25′N 14°33′W / 50.417°N 14.550°W / 50.417; -14.550 (Georgios Kyriakides (ship))
2 July 1940
2 July 1940
Date
2 July 1940
Ship
Arandora Star
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
15,501
Fate and location
Sunk at 55°20′N 10°33′W / 55.333°N 10.550°W / 55.333; -10.550 (Arandora Star (ship))
2 September 1940
2 September 1940
Date
2 September 1940
Ship
Ville de Mons
Nationality
Belgium
Tonnage
7,463
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°20′N 12°00′W / 58.333°N 12.000°W / 58.333; -12.000 (Ville de Mons (ship))
4 September 1940
4 September 1940
Date
4 September 1940
Ship
Titan
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
9,035
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°14′N 15°50′W / 58.233°N 15.833°W / 58.233; -15.833 (Titan (ship))
7 September 1940
7 September 1940
Date
7 September 1940
Ship
Neptunian
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,155
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°27′N 17°17′W / 58.450°N 17.283°W / 58.450; -17.283 (Neptunian (ship))
7 September 1940
7 September 1940
Date
7 September 1940
Ship
José de Larrinaga
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,303
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°30′N 16°10′W / 58.500°N 16.167°W / 58.500; -16.167 (José de Larrinaga (ship))
7 September 1940
7 September 1940
Date
7 September 1940
Ship
Gro
Nationality
Norway
Tonnage
4,211
Fate and location
Sunk at 58°30′N 16°10′W / 58.500°N 16.167°W / 58.500; -16.167 (Gro (ship))
9 September 1940
9 September 1940
Date
9 September 1940
Ship
Possidon
Nationality
Greece
Tonnage
3,840
Fate and location
Sunk at 56°43′N 09°16′W / 56.717°N 9.267°W / 56.717; -9.267 (Possidon (ship))
21 September 1940
21 September 1940
Date
21 September 1940
Ship
Elmbank
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,156
Fate and location
Damaged at 55°20′N 22°30′W / 55.333°N 22.500°W / 55.333; -22.500 (Elmbank (ship))
19 October 1940
19 October 1940
Date
19 October 1940
Ship
Uganda
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
4,966
Fate and location
Sunk at 56°35′N 17°15′W / 56.583°N 17.250°W / 56.583; -17.250 (Uganda (ship))
19 October 1940
19 October 1940
Date
19 October 1940
Ship
Shirak
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
6,023
Fate and location
Damaged at 57°00′N 16°53′W / 57.000°N 16.883°W / 57.000; -16.883 (Shirak (ship))
19 October 1940
19 October 1940
Date
19 October 1940
Ship
Wandby
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
4,947
Fate and location
Sunk at 56°45′N 17°07′W / 56.750°N 17.117°W / 56.750; -17.117 (Wandby (ship))
20 October 1940
20 October 1940
Date
20 October 1940
Ship
La Estancia
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,185
Fate and location
Sunk at 57°N 17°W / 57°N 17°W / 57; -17 (La Estancia (ship))
20 October 1940
20 October 1940
Date
20 October 1940
Ship
Whitford Point
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
5,026
Fate and location
Sunk at 56°38′N 16°00′W / 56.633°N 16.000°W / 56.633; -16.000 (Whitford Point (ship))
20 October 1940
20 October 1940
Date
20 October 1940
Ship
Athelmonarch
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
8,995
Fate and location
Damaged at 56°45′N 15°58′W / 56.750°N 15.967°W / 56.750; -15.967 (Athelmonarch (ship))
8 November 1940
8 November 1940
Date
8 November 1940
Ship
Gonçalo Velho
Nationality
Portugal
Tonnage
1,595
Fate and location
Damaged at 52°30′N 17°30′W / 52.500°N 17.500°W / 52.500; -17.500 (Gonçalo Velho (ship))
2 December 1940
2 December 1940
Date
2 December 1940
Ship
Ville d'Arlon
Nationality
Belgium
Tonnage
7,555
Fate and location
Sunk at 55°00′N 18°30′W / 55.000°N 18.500°W / 55.000; -18.500 (Ville d'Arlon (ship))
2 December 1940
2 December 1940
Date
2 December 1940
Ship
Conch
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
8,376
Fate and location
Damaged at 55°40′N 19°00′W / 55.667°N 19.000°W / 55.667; -19.000 (Conch (ship))
2 December 1940
2 December 1940
Date
2 December 1940
Ship
Dunsley
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
3,862
Fate and location
Damaged at 54°41′N 18°41′W / 54.683°N 18.683°W / 54.683; -18.683 (Dunsley (ship))
26 February 1941
26 February 1941
Date
26 February 1941
Ship
Kasongo
Nationality
Belgium
Tonnage
5,254
Fate and location
Sunk at 55°50′N 14°20′W / 55.833°N 14.333°W / 55.833; -14.333 (Kasongo (ship))
26 February 1941
26 February 1941
Date
26 February 1941
Ship
Diala
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
8,106
Fate and location
Damaged at 55°50′N 14°00′W / 55.833°N 14.000°W / 55.833; -14.000 (Diala (ship))
26 February 1941
26 February 1941
Date
26 February 1941
Ship
Rydboholm
Nationality
Sweden
Tonnage
3,197
Fate and location
Sunk at 55°32′N 14°24′W / 55.533°N 14.400°W / 55.533; -14.400 (Rydboholm (ship))
26 February 1941
26 February 1941
Date
26 February 1941
Ship
Borgland
Nationality
Norway
Tonnage
3,636
Fate and location
Sunk at 55°45′N 14°29′W / 55.750°N 14.483°W / 55.750; -14.483 (Borgland (ship))
28 February 1941
28 February 1941
Date
28 February 1941
Ship
Holmlea
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
4,223
Fate and location
Sunk at 54°24′N 17°25′W / 54.400°N 17.417°W / 54.400; -17.417 (Holmlea (ship))
7 March 1941
7 March 1941
Date
7 March 1941
Ship
Terje Viken
Nationality
United Kingdom
Tonnage
20,638
Fate and location
Damaged at 60°00′N 12°50′W / 60.000°N 12.833°W / 60.000; -12.833 (Terje Viken (ship))
Date
Ship
Nationality
Tonnage
Fate and location
5 September 1939
Bosnia
United Kingdom
2,407
Sunk at .mw- 45°29′N 09°45′W / 45.483°N 9.750°W / 45.483; -9.750 (Bosnia (ship))
6 September 1939
Rio Claro
United Kingdom
4,086
Sunk at 46°30′N 12°00′W / 46.500°N 12.000°W / 46.500; -12.000 (Rio Claro (ship))
7 September 1939
Gartavon
United Kingdom
1,777
Sunk at 47°04′N 11°32′W / 47.067°N 11.533°W / 47.067; -11.533 (Gartavon (ship))
14 October 1939
HMS Royal Oak
Royal Navy
29,150
Sunk at 58°55′N 02°59′W / 58.917°N 2.983°W / 58.917; -2.983 (Royal Oak (ship))
28 November 1939
HMS Norfolk
Royal Navy
10,035
Claimed hit: actually missed
5 December 1939
Novasota
United Kingdom
8,795
Sunk at 50°43′N 10°16′W / 50.717°N 10.267°W / 50.717; -10.267 (Novasota (ship))
6 December 1939
Britta
Norway
6,214
Sunk at 49°19′N 05°35′W / 49.317°N 5.583°W / 49.317; -5.583 (Britta (ship))
7 December 1939
Tajandoen
Netherlands
8,159
Sunk at 49°09′N 04°51′W / 49.150°N 4.850°W / 49.150; -4.850 (Tajandoen (ship))
25 March 1940
Britta
Denmark
1,146
Sunk at 60°00′N 04°19′W / 60.000°N 4.317°W / 60.000; -4.317 (Britta (ship))
14 June 1940
Balmoralwood
United Kingdom
5,834
Sunk at 50°19′N 10°28′W / 50.317°N 10.467°W / 50.317; -10.467 (Balmoralwood (ship))
21 June 1940
San Fernando
United Kingdom
13,056
Sunk at 50°20′N 10°24′W / 50.333°N 10.400°W / 50.333; -10.400 (San Fernando (ship))
24 June 1940
Cathrine
Panama
1,885
Sunk at 50°08′N 14°00′W / 50.133°N 14.000°W / 50.133; -14.000 (Cathrine (ship))
27 June 1940
Lenda
Norway
4,005
Sunk at 50°12′N 13°18′W / 50.200°N 13.300°W / 50.200; -13.300 (Lenda (ship))
27 June 1940
Leticia
Netherlands
2,580
Sunk at 50°11′N 13°15′W / 50.183°N 13.250°W / 50.183; -13.250 (Leticia (ship))
29 June 1940
Empire Toucan
United Kingdom
4,127
Sunk at 49°20′N 13°52′W / 49.333°N 13.867°W / 49.333; -13.867 (Empire Toucan (ship))
30 June 1940
Georgios Kyriakides
Greece
4,201
Sunk at 50°25′N 14°33′W / 50.417°N 14.550°W / 50.417; -14.550 (Georgios Kyriakides (ship))
2 July 1940
Arandora Star
United Kingdom
15,501
Sunk at 55°20′N 10°33′W / 55.333°N 10.550°W / 55.333; -10.550 (Arandora Star (ship))
2 September 1940
Ville de Mons
Belgium
7,463
Sunk at 58°20′N 12°00′W / 58.333°N 12.000°W / 58.333; -12.000 (Ville de Mons (ship))
4 September 1940
Titan
United Kingdom
9,035
Sunk at 58°14′N 15°50′W / 58.233°N 15.833°W / 58.233; -15.833 (Titan (ship))
7 September 1940
Neptunian
United Kingdom
5,155
Sunk at 58°27′N 17°17′W / 58.450°N 17.283°W / 58.450; -17.283 (Neptunian (ship))
7 September 1940
José de Larrinaga
United Kingdom
5,303
Sunk at 58°30′N 16°10′W / 58.500°N 16.167°W / 58.500; -16.167 (José de Larrinaga (ship))
7 September 1940
Gro
Norway
4,211
Sunk at 58°30′N 16°10′W / 58.500°N 16.167°W / 58.500; -16.167 (Gro (ship))
9 September 1940
Possidon
Greece
3,840
Sunk at 56°43′N 09°16′W / 56.717°N 9.267°W / 56.717; -9.267 (Possidon (ship))
21 September 1940
Elmbank
United Kingdom
5,156
Damaged at 55°20′N 22°30′W / 55.333°N 22.500°W / 55.333; -22.500 (Elmbank (ship))
19 October 1940
Uganda
United Kingdom
4,966
Sunk at 56°35′N 17°15′W / 56.583°N 17.250°W / 56.583; -17.250 (Uganda (ship))
19 October 1940
Shirak
United Kingdom
6,023
Damaged at 57°00′N 16°53′W / 57.000°N 16.883°W / 57.000; -16.883 (Shirak (ship))
19 October 1940
Wandby
United Kingdom
4,947
Sunk at 56°45′N 17°07′W / 56.750°N 17.117°W / 56.750; -17.117 (Wandby (ship))
20 October 1940
La Estancia
United Kingdom
5,185
Sunk at 57°N 17°W / 57°N 17°W / 57; -17 (La Estancia (ship))
20 October 1940
Whitford Point
United Kingdom
5,026
Sunk at 56°38′N 16°00′W / 56.633°N 16.000°W / 56.633; -16.000 (Whitford Point (ship))
20 October 1940
Athelmonarch
United Kingdom
8,995
Damaged at 56°45′N 15°58′W / 56.750°N 15.967°W / 56.750; -15.967 (Athelmonarch (ship))
8 November 1940
Gonçalo Velho
Portugal
1,595
Damaged at 52°30′N 17°30′W / 52.500°N 17.500°W / 52.500; -17.500 (Gonçalo Velho (ship))
2 December 1940
Ville d'Arlon
Belgium
7,555
Sunk at 55°00′N 18°30′W / 55.000°N 18.500°W / 55.000; -18.500 (Ville d'Arlon (ship))
2 December 1940
Conch
United Kingdom
8,376
Damaged at 55°40′N 19°00′W / 55.667°N 19.000°W / 55.667; -19.000 (Conch (ship))
2 December 1940
Dunsley
United Kingdom
3,862
Damaged at 54°41′N 18°41′W / 54.683°N 18.683°W / 54.683; -18.683 (Dunsley (ship))
26 February 1941
Kasongo
Belgium
5,254
Sunk at 55°50′N 14°20′W / 55.833°N 14.333°W / 55.833; -14.333 (Kasongo (ship))
26 February 1941
Diala
United Kingdom
8,106
Damaged at 55°50′N 14°00′W / 55.833°N 14.000°W / 55.833; -14.000 (Diala (ship))
26 February 1941
Rydboholm
Sweden
3,197
Sunk at 55°32′N 14°24′W / 55.533°N 14.400°W / 55.533; -14.400 (Rydboholm (ship))
26 February 1941
Borgland
Norway
3,636
Sunk at 55°45′N 14°29′W / 55.750°N 14.483°W / 55.750; -14.483 (Borgland (ship))
28 February 1941
Holmlea
United Kingdom
4,223
Sunk at 54°24′N 17°25′W / 54.400°N 17.417°W / 54.400; -17.417 (Holmlea (ship))
7 March 1941
Terje Viken
United Kingdom
20,638
Damaged at 60°00′N 12°50′W / 60.000°N 12.833°W / 60.000; -12.833 (Terje Viken (ship))

References

  1. Merchant ship tonnages are in gross register tons. Military vessels are listed by tons displacement.
  2. German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/u47.htm
  3. U-boat Patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/u47html
  4. German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u47.html
  5. German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/ops/successful_boats.htm
  6. Gröner 1991, pp. 43–44.
  7. Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunters, 1939–1942
  8. "Gartavon (British Steam merchant) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII – uboat.net"
    https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/6.html
  9. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_318.html
  10. German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/ops/scapa_flow.htm
  11. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/03/04/divers-just-found-a-torpedo-that-was-likely-used-during-a-daring-u-boat-raid/
  12. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_321.html
  13. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_323.html
  14. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_324.html
  15. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_325.html
  16. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_326.html
  17. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_327.html
  18. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_328.html
  19. 'Gunther Prien and U-47' Dougie Martindale p. 159
  20. "Terje Viken (British Whale factory ship) – Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII – uboat.net"
    https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/806.html
  21. U-boat patrols – uboat.net
    http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_329.html
  22. Kemp 1999, p. 68.
  23. www.wlb-stuttgart.de
    https://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/40-06.htm
  24. "SS Bosnia (+1939)"
    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?134792
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