Maritime record MWX1999 - UB 74

Remains of German submarine, 1918

(1) Launched: 12-SEP-1917 Commissioned: 24-OCT-1917 Builder: Bloom and Voss, A G Weser HP: 1110 Propulsion: 2 screw driven oil engines Armament: 1 x 8.8cm gun; 5 x 50cm TT Commanding Officer: Oberleutnant zur See E Steindorff Crew: 35 Crew Lost: 35 Owner: German Navy (2)(4) On the night of 26.05, HM armed yacht LORNA was patrolling in Lyme Bay, west of Portland Bill, when a periscope was sighted 50 yards off the bow. When ten feet off the effects of a collision were felt as she passed over the conning tower, the yacht then dropping two depth charges over the stern. Whilst circling to pass over the spot again, four objects were noticed in the disturbed water caused by the depth charges, and four survivors were heard to be shouting `kamerad. Another depth charge was dropped which killed three of the Germans, the sole survivor then being picked up covered in oil but died three hours later. A German sailors cap complete with ribbon marked `Unterseeboots Abteilung was recovered and left no doubt that UB74 had been sunk. (2)(4) UB74 was operating in Lyme Bay when she was spotted by the patrol yacht LORNA, which had been warned that a U-boat was in the area. LORNA sighted UB74s periscope and dropped two depth charges as she ran over the spot. These had an immediate effect and blew a mass of wreckage, oil and air bubbles to the surface. Four men were seen swimming in the midst of the boil. However, Lornas CO could not believe that his first pattern, dropped by eye, had such a conclusive effect and so dropped another which killed three of the men. The fourth was dragged on board LORNA and later died, though not before confirming the identity of the boat. (3) Sunk by depth charges off Anvil Point.(8) Type UB III patrol submarine.(1) 04-JUN-1918 Position 50 32 00N, 02 33 30W(1) 22-MAR-1945 Sonar contact (position approx.) 50 32 12N, 02 33 18W.(1) 27-MAY-1952 Position 50 31 58N, 02 33 06W. Clear at 12 fathoms, foul at 13 fathoms; least depth 86 feet; extends for about 250 feet in a NE/SW direction. Lies in surrounding depths of 18 fathoms.(1) 7.3m. Lying 150/330 deg. (1) Wreck lies in 33m depth, orientated NE/SW, and has been heavily salvaged. (2) An unidentified brass object recovered from this wreck, position 50 31.82N 002 33.34W. (Droit A/3853).(6) A steel name plate marked A Mundungsklappe, 3 sticks of cordite, a brass shell case (apparently safe), a bronze propeller fragment, and a rectangular brass fitting recovered from this wreck, off Dorset. (Droit A/4457).(6) Additional source: BUB. p142; The U-boat, Eberhard Rossler, Arms and Armour Press 1981 p332; DGWP p27; DS p63; DD p77 gross tonnage Position 50 31.48N 2 33.34W taken from (6)

Record last edited

Sep 19 2023 3:29PM