SM U-156

History
German Empire
NameU-156
Ordered29 November 1916
BuilderAtlas Werke, Bremen
Yard number382
Launched17 April 1917
Commissioned22 August 1917
FateSunk in the Northern Barrage minefield on 25 September 1918. 77 dead.
General characteristics
Class & typeType U 151 submarine
Displacement
  • 1,512 tonnes (1,488 long tons) (surfaced)
  • 1,875 tonnes (1,845 long tons) (submerged)
  • 2,272 tonnes (2,236 long tons) (total)
Length
Beam
  • 8.90 m (29 ft 2 in) (o/a)
  • 5.80 m (19 ft) (pressure hull)
Height9.25 m (30 ft 4 in)
Draught5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
Installed power
  • 800 PS (590 kW; 790 bhp) (surfaced)
  • 800 PS (590 kW; 790 bhp) (submerged)
Propulsion2 × shafts, 2 × 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) propellers
Speed
  • 12.4 knots (23.0 km/h; 14.3 mph) surfaced
  • 5.2 knots (9.6 km/h; 6.0 mph) submerged
Range25,000 nmi (46,000 km; 29,000 mi) at 5.5 knots (10.2 km/h; 6.3 mph) surfaced, 65 nmi (120 km; 75 mi) at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) submerged
Test depth50 metres (160 ft)
Complement6 officers, 50 enlisted, 20 prize crew, 1 additional officer in training on 2nd cruise
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • U-Kreuzer Flotilla
  • 28 August 1917 – 25 September 1918
Commanders:
  • Kptlt. Konrad Gansser
  • 22 August 1917 – 15 June 1918
  • Kptlt. Richard Feldt
  • 16 June – 25 September 1918
Operations: 2 patrols
Victories:
  • 44 merchant ships sunk
    (50,471 GRT)
  • 1 warship sunk
    (13,680 tons)
  • 2 merchant ships damaged
    (638 GRT)

SM U-156 was a German Type U 151 U-boat commissioned in 1917 for the Imperial German Navy. From 1917 until her disappearance in September 1918 she was part of the U-Kreuzer Flotilla, and was responsible for sinking 45 ships and damaging two others. She took part in the Attack on Orleans.