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German submarineU-987

Coordinates:68°01′N05°08′E/ 68.017°N 5.133°E/68.017; 5.133
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U-570Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. This U-boat is almost identical toU-987.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-987
Ordered25 May 1941
BuilderBlohm & Voss,Hamburg
Yard number187
Laid down2 October 1942
Launched2 June 1943
Commissioned8 July 1943
FateSunk on 15 June 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType VIICsubmarine
Displacement
Length
Beam
  • 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.74 m (15 ft 7 in)
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)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 17.7knots(32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) surfaced
  • 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph) submerged
Range
  • 8,500nmi(15,700km;9,800mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 80 nmi (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth
  • 220 m (720 ft)
  • Crush depth:250–295 m (820–968 ft)
Complement4 officers, 44–52 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 53 910
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S.Hilmar-Karl Schreyer[1]
  • 8 July 1943 – 15 June 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 28 May – 15 June 1944
Victories: None

German submarineU-987was aType VIICU-boatofNazi Germany'sKriegsmarineduringWorld War II.

She was ordered on 25 May 1941, and waslaid downon 2 October 1942 atBlohm & Voss,Hamburg,as yard number 187. She waslaunchedon 2 June 1943 andcommissionedunder the command ofOberleutnant zur SeeHilmar-Karl Schreyer on 8 July 1943.[2]

Design

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German Type VIIC submarineswere preceded by the shorterType VIIB submarines.U-987had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged.[3]She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), apressure hulllength of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), abeamof 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and adraughtof 4.74 m (15 ft 7 in). The submarine was powered by twoGermaniawerftF46 four-stroke, six-cylindersuperchargeddiesel enginesproducing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, twoGarbe, Lahmeyer & Co.RP 137/cdouble-acting electric motorsproducing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft)propellers.The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[3]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 knots (32.8 km/h; 20.4 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 knots (14.1 km/h; 8.7 mph).[3]When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nautical miles (150 km; 92 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km; 9,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).U-987was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in)torpedo tubes(four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteentorpedoesor 26 TMAmines,one8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun,220 rounds, and one twin2 cm (0.79 in) C/30anti-aircraft gun.The boat had acomplementof between 44 — 52 men.[3]

Service history

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On 15 June 1944, 19 days out ofStavangeron her first, and only war patrol,U-987was sunk by torpedoes west ofNarvik,in theNorwegian Sea.U-987was attacked by theBritishsubmarineHMSSatyr.All Fifty-three of her crew were lost.[2]

The wreck is located at68°01′N05°08′E/ 68.017°N 5.133°E/68.017; 5.133.[2]

Wolfpacks

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U-987took part in onewolfpack,namely:[2]

  • Trutz (2 – 15 June 1944)

References

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  1. ^Helgason, Guðmundur."Hilmar-Karl Schreyer".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.Retrieved9 April2016.
  2. ^abcdHelgason, Guðmundur."U-987".German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net.Retrieved9 April2016.
  3. ^abcdGröner 1991,pp. 43–46.
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Bibliography

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  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999).German U-boat commanders of World War II: a biographical dictionary.Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press.ISBN1-55750-186-6.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999).Der U-Boot-Krieg, 1939-1945: Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945[German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945] (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler.ISBN3-8132-0514-2.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991).U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels.German Warships 1815–1945. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press.ISBN0-85177-593-4.