WWI U-boat Types


Type U 81

Ocean-going diesel-powered torpedo attack boats class


Construction history of type U 81

U-boats# ShipyardWerk #Built during
U 81 - U 866Germaniawerft, Kiel251- 2561915 - 1916

These boats had excellent seagoing abilities and handled very well. Many arrangements on these boats were also seen on the WWII type IX boats when their design work took place 20 years later.

Initially U 81 to U 83 had one 10.5cm gun with 140-240 rounds. U 84 - U 86 on the other hand had two 8.8cm guns. In 1917 U 84 - U 86 were refitted with a single 10.5cm gun (240 rounds).

Sources
Gröner, E. (1991). German Warships 1815-1945, vol 2. U-boats and mine warfare vessels.

All U-boats of type U 81

Below are the 6 commissioned U-boats of this type.

U 81, U 82, U 83, U 84, U 85 and U 86

Technical information for type U 81

Displacement:
(tons)		808 (sf)
946 (sm)
1160 (total)
Length: (m)70,06 oa
55,55 ph
Beam: (m)6,30 oa
4,15 ph
Draught: (draft)4,02 m
Height:8,00 m
Power: (hp)2400 (sf)
1200 (sm)
Speed:
(knots)		16,8 (sf)
9,1 (sm)
Range:
(miles / knots)		11,200/8 (sf)
56/5 (sm)
Torpedoes:12
2/2 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines:No mines carried
Deck gun:10,5cm
140 rounds
Crew:35 men
Max depth:ca. 50 m
(164 feet)
sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower.