HMS Undine (N48)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Undine.

HMS Undine was a U-class submarine and lead vessel of her class, which is sometimes called the Undine class as a result. The submarine entered service in 1938. Undine performed war patrols during the Second World War and was scuttled after being damaged by German minesweepers off Heligoland on 7 January 1940.

HMS Undine
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Undine
Builder	Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness
Laid down	19 February 1937
Launched	5 October 1937
Commissioned	21 August 1938
Fate	Scuttled 7 January 1940
Badge
General characteristics
Class & type	U-class submarine
Displacement	Surfaced – 540 tons standard, 630 tons full load Submerged – 730 tons
Length	58.22 m (191 ft 0 in)
Beam	4.90 m (16 ft 1 in)
Draught	4.62 m (15 ft 2 in)
Propulsion	2 shaft diesel-electric 2 Paxman Ricardo diesel generators + electric motors 615 hp (459 kW) / 825 hp (615 kW)
Speed	11.25 kn (20.84 km/h; 12.95 mph) max surfaced 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) max submerged
Complement	27
Armament	4 bow internal 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 2 external 10 torpedoes 3 anti-aircraft machine guns

Construction and career

Undine was built by Vickers Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness. She was laid down on 19 February 1937 and was commissioned on 21 August 1938 with the pennant number N48.

At the onset of the Second World War, Undine was a member of the 6th Submarine Flotilla. From 26–29 August 1939, the flotilla deployed to its war bases at Dundee and Blyth.^[1]

Sinking

Undine was on her fourth war patrol in January 1940 when her sonar failed due to a leak. At 0940 on 7 January, she was attacked by German auxiliary minesweepers M-1201, M-1204 and M-1207. She unsuccessfully attacked the leading vessel, but the minesweepers counter attacked and forced her to dive. Undine was at 50 feet (15 m) and proceeding blind due to the loss of sonar. After five minutes with no further attacks, she raised her periscope and was heavily damaged by an explosion. The order to abandon ship was given. The crew scuttled the Undine while abandoning ship.^[2][3]