The interest in the Medway U-boat arises partly because of its evocative and relatively visible remains, but also because it represents a very important class of First World War U-boat, known as the UB III type. They are referred to as ‘coastal attack’ U-boats, distinguishing them from minelaying U-boats of the UC types and the ocean-going types. The UB III type was introduced in summer 1917 and was the most numerous class of U-boat – a total of 89 were built (though not all before the end of the war). Even though they are referred to as coastal U-boats they had a wide range of action and were used very successfully in the Baltic, the Mediterranean and the Western Approaches, sinking many ships.
This UB III is also interesting because this type was used in the North Sea, against merchant shipping in the East Coast War Channels. Hence the Medway U-boat still lies close to one of the theatres in which it was intended to fight. Certainly, there are many wrecks of ships sunk by UB III types associated with the War Channels. It is also poignant that some of the Royal Navy personnel who were lost at sea whilst trying to combat UB IIIs and other U-boat types in the North Sea have their names commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, overlooking the Medway where this U-boat still lies.
The intense conflict between merchant ships and U-boats in the East Coast War Channels was not one-sided, however. Although very effective, U-boats were also vulnerable and many were sunk. Four UB IIIs are known to have been lost in the War Channels off the coast of Yorkshire and the North East. UB 75 ran into a trap of deep mines laid by the RN off Robin Hood’s Bay; UB 107 was lost near Flamborough Head; UB 110 was caught whilst trying to attack a convoy off Hartlepool; and UB 115 was spotted by a patrolling airship off Northumberland and depth charged by destroyers and armed trawlers. UB 110 was commanded by Werner Fürbringer who survived to write an account of the action in his memoire Fips: legendary U-boat commander 1915-1918. UB 110 is also notable because the U-boat was recovered and examined in a dry dock on the Tyne before subsequently being scrapped; Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums hold an evocative set of photographs of UB 110.
The Medway U-boat is not unique – there are dozens of known wrecks of UB III type U-boats – but there are none in museums so the Medway example is unusually visible. With its connections to the nearby War Channels and also to the post war story of the surrender and disposal of Germany’s U-boat fleet, this particular site is an important monument.
My visit to the Medway U-boat has been recorded on the Home Front Legacy and CITiZAN apps.
This UB III is also interesting because this type was used in the North Sea, against merchant shipping in the East Coast War Channels. Hence the Medway U-boat still lies close to one of the theatres in which it was intended to fight. Certainly, there are many wrecks of ships sunk by UB III types associated with the War Channels. It is also poignant that some of the Royal Navy personnel who were lost at sea whilst trying to combat UB IIIs and other U-boat types in the North Sea have their names commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, overlooking the Medway where this U-boat still lies.
The intense conflict between merchant ships and U-boats in the East Coast War Channels was not one-sided, however. Although very effective, U-boats were also vulnerable and many were sunk. Four UB IIIs are known to have been lost in the War Channels off the coast of Yorkshire and the North East. UB 75 ran into a trap of deep mines laid by the RN off Robin Hood’s Bay; UB 107 was lost near Flamborough Head; UB 110 was caught whilst trying to attack a convoy off Hartlepool; and UB 115 was spotted by a patrolling airship off Northumberland and depth charged by destroyers and armed trawlers. UB 110 was commanded by Werner Fürbringer who survived to write an account of the action in his memoire Fips: legendary U-boat commander 1915-1918. UB 110 is also notable because the U-boat was recovered and examined in a dry dock on the Tyne before subsequently being scrapped; Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums hold an evocative set of photographs of UB 110.
The Medway U-boat is not unique – there are dozens of known wrecks of UB III type U-boats – but there are none in museums so the Medway example is unusually visible. With its connections to the nearby War Channels and also to the post war story of the surrender and disposal of Germany’s U-boat fleet, this particular site is an important monument.
My visit to the Medway U-boat has been recorded on the Home Front Legacy and CITiZAN apps.