SM U-19 (Germany)
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SM ''U-19'' was a
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...
Type U-19
U-boat U-boats were naval submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars. Although at times they were efficient fleet weapons against enemy naval warships, they were most effectively used in an economic warfare role ...
built for the
Imperial German Navy The Imperial German Navy or the Imperial Navy () was the navy of the German Empire, which existed between 1871 and 1919. It grew out of the small Prussian Navy (from 1867 the North German Federal Navy), which was mainly for coast defence. Wilhel ...
. Her construction was ordered on 25 November 1910, and her keel was
laid down Laying the keel or laying down is the formal recognition of the start of a ship's construction. It is often marked with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from the shipbuilding company and the ultimate owners of the ship. Keel laying is one o ...
on 20 October 1911, at the
Kaiserliche Werft Danzig Kaiserliche Werft Danzig was a German shipbuilding company founded in 1852 as ''Königliche Werft Danzig'' and renamed ''Kaiserliche Werft'' after the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871. Together with Kaiserliche Werft Kiel and Kaiserlich ...
. She was launched on 10 October 1912, and commissioned into the Imperial German Navy on 6 July 1913.


Service

From 1 August 1914, to 15 March 1916, ''U-19'' was commanded by
Constantin Kolbe Constantin is an Aromanian, Megleno-Romanian and Romanian male given name. It can also be a surname. For a list of notable people called Constantin, see Constantine (name). See also * Constantine (name) * Konstantin The first name Konstant ...
. During this period she had the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first U-boat casualty of
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
when she was rammed by on 24 October 1914. Her hull was badly damaged, but she survived and was repaired. On 22 January 1915 the '' Durward'' was near the Maas lightship when they saw ''U-19'' on the surface. They tried to escape, but as they could only manage 12 knots they were unable to do so. The mate of ''Durward'', who was later interviewed by the ''Daily Mail'' special correspondent in Rotterdam related how the second officer, who spoke excellent English, had ordered them to lower a boat and come to talk to them. The captain and crew were given ten minutes to leave the ship. The mate asked the second officer whether he could return to the ship to collect his clothes. He replied "Sorry, old man, it can't be done. I am in the mercantile marine myself, having been in the North German Lloyd service but now I am doing a bit for my country." The commander of the U-boat towed the lifeboat to within 100 yards of the Maas lightship, even stopping at one stage to repair the tow when it parted, after which the crew of ''Durward'' said goodbye to the submarine and rowed to the lightship. Kolbe was relieved by
Raimund Weisbach Raimund Weisbach (16 September 1886 – 16 June 1970) was an officer of the ''Kaiserliche Marine'', and a U-boat commander during the First World War. He was the torpedo officer on the German U-boat, the , who saw to the preparation and firin ...
, who had previously served as torpedo officer on and had (on
Kapitänleutnant ''Kapitänleutnant'', short: KptLt/in lists: KL, ( en, captain lieutenant) is an officer grade of the captains' military hierarchy group () of the German Bundeswehr. The rank is rated OF-2 in NATO, and equivalent to Hauptmann in the Heer and ...
Walther Schwieger Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger (Wilhem Otto Walther Schwieger) (7 April 1885 – 5 September 1917) was a U-boat commander in the Imperial German Navy (''Kaiserliche Marine'') during First World War. In 1915, he sank the passenger liner wi ...
's orders) launched the torpedo that sank . During his brief command, Weisbach carried out an unusual mission: he delivered the revolutionary
Roger Casement Roger David Casement ( ga, Ruairí Dáithí Mac Easmainn; 1 September 1864 – 3 August 1916), known as Sir Roger Casement, CMG, between 1911 and 1916, was a diplomat and Irish nationalist executed by the United Kingdom for treason during Worl ...
and two other agents to
Banna Strand Banna Strand, (Gaeilge: Trá na Beannaí) also known as Banna Beach, is situated in Ballyheigue Bay. It is an Atlantic Ocean beach extending from Ballyheigue Beach at the Blackrock in the North to Barrow Beach at its southern edge, located in ...
in
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
in hopes that they would foment an uprising that would distract the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was a sovereign state in the British Isles that existed between 1801 and 1922, when it included all of Ireland. It was established by the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Great B ...
from
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. Weisbach was relieved on 11 August 1916, by
Johannes Spiess Johannes is a Medieval Latin form of the personal name that usually appears as "John" in English language contexts. It is a variant of the Greek and Classical Latin variants (Ιωάννης, ''Ioannes''), itself derived from the Hebrew name '' Yeh ...
, who was relieved in turn on 1 June 1917, by
Heinrich Koch Heinrich may refer to: People * Heinrich (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) * Heinrich (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name) *Hetty (given name), a given name (including a list of peo ...
. Koch turned the boat over on 25 October 1917, to
Hans Albrecht Liebeskind Hans may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Hans (name), a masculine given name * Hans Raj Hans, Indian singer and politician ** Navraj Hans, Indian singer, actor, entrepreneur, cricket player and performer, son of Hans Raj Hans ** Yuvraj Hans, Punjabi a ...
, who commanded for less than a month before being relieved on 17 November 1917, by Spiess again. On 1 June 1918, Liebeskind took over again and commanded ''U-19'' until the end of the war. ''U-19'' conducted 12 patrols, sinking 58 ships totalling 99,182 combined tons, including ''Santa Maria'' (5,383 GRT) off Lough Swilly on 25 February 1918, ''Tiberia'' (4,880 GRT) off Black Head near
Larne Larne (, , the name of a Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic territory) is a town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, with a population of 18,755 at the United Kingdom census, 2011, 2011 Census. It is a major passenger and freight Roll-on/ro ...
on 26 February 1918, and (12,515 GRT) off
Rathlin Island Rathlin Island ( ga, Reachlainn, ; Local Irish dialect: ''Reachraidh'', ; Scots: ''Racherie'') is an island and civil parish off the coast of County Antrim (of which it is part) in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's northernmost point. ...
on 1 March 1918.


Fate

On 11 November 1918, ''U-19'' was surrendered to the British, and was broken up at Blyth sometime in 1919 or 1920. The main gun of ''U19'' was donated to the people of Bangor, Co. Down and today sits near the War Memorial in the town's
Ward Park Ward Park is situated in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. The 37 acre park contains 10 tennis courts, a duck pond and a selection of wildfowl housed in breeding pens. In the park there is a large war memorial and also located nearby is ...
. It was donated by the
Admiralty Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong * Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral * Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings *Admiralty, Tr ...
in recognition of the valorous conduct of Commander The Hon.
Edward Bingham Rear Admiral The Honourable Edward Barry Stewart Bingham VC, OBE (26 July 1881 – 24 September 1939) served in the Royal Navy during the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in engaging the German fleet dur ...
whilst on board while fighting in the
Battle of Jutland The Battle of Jutland (german: Skagerrakschlacht, the Battle of the Skagerrak) was a naval battle fought between Britain's Royal Navy Grand Fleet, under Admiral John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, Sir John Jellicoe, and the Imperial German Navy ...
in July 1916, for which he received the
Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
.


Summary of raiding history


References


Notes


Citations


Further reading

* - Total pages: 224 * * * * * * * *


External links


Photos of cruises of German submarine U-54 in 1916-1918.
Great photo quality, comments in German.
A 44 min. film from 1917 about a cruise of the German submarine U-35.
A German propaganda film without dead or wounded; many details about submarine warfare in World War I. *

original documents, photos and maps about World War I German submarine warfare and British
Room 40 Room 40, also known as 40 O.B. (old building; officially part of NID25), was the cryptanalysis section of the British Admiralty during the First World War. The group, which was formed in October 1914, began when Rear-Admiral Henry Oliver, the ...
Intelligence from
The National Archives National archives are central archives maintained by countries. This article contains a list of national archives. Among its more important tasks are to ensure the accessibility and preservation of the information produced by governments, both ...
, Kew, Richmond, UK. {{DEFAULTSORT:U0019 Type U 19 submarines U-boats commissioned in 1913 World War I submarines of Germany 1912 ships Ships built in Danzig