View source for SM UC-50

{{other ships|German submarine U-50}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=
|Ship caption=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=[[German Empire]]
|Ship flag={{Shipboxflag|German Empire|naval}}
|Ship name=''UC-50''
|Ship ordered=12 January 1916<ref name=UC-50>{{cite Uboat.net
|name=UC 50
|id=UC+50 
|type=1sub
|accessdate=23 February 2009
}}</ref>
|Ship builder=[[Germaniawerft]], [[Kiel]]<ref name=Tarrant-173>Tarrant, p. 173.</ref>
|Ship yard number=266<ref name=UC-50 />
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=23 November 1916<ref name=UC-50 />
|Ship commissioned=21 December 1916<ref name=UC-50 />
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship struck=
|Ship fate=[[depth charge|Depth Charged]] by {{HMS|Zubian}}, 4 February 1918<ref name=Mess-290>Messimer, p. 290.</ref>
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption={{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=31-32}}
|Ship class=[[Type UC II submarine]]
|Ship displacement=
*{{convert|434|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}}, surfaced
*{{convert|511|t|LT|abbr=on}}, submerged
|Ship length=
*{{convert|52.69|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[o/a]]
*{{convert|40.96|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[pressure hull]]
|Ship beam=
*{{convert|5.22|m|ftin|abbr=on}} o/a
*{{convert|3.65|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} pressure hull
|Ship draught={{convert|3.64|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=
*2 × [[propeller shaft (ship)|propeller shafts]]
*2 × 6-cylinder, 4-stroke [[diesel engine]]s, {{convert|580|-|600|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}}
*2 × [[electric motor]]s, {{convert|620|PS|kW shp|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed=
*{{convert|11.8|kn}}, surfaced
*{{convert|7.2|kn}}, submerged
|Ship range=
*{{convert|8,820|-|9,450|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|7|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|56|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth={{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=26
|Ship armament=
*6 × {{convert|100|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} mine tubes
*18 × UC 200 [[naval mine|mines]]
*3 × {{convert|50|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (2 bow/external; one stern)
*7 × [[torpedo]]es
*1 × [[8.8 cm SK L/30 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} Uk L/30]] [[deck gun]]
|Ship notes=30-second diving time
}}
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|is_multi=yes
|partof=*I Flotilla
*18 February - 6 July 1917
*Flandern / Flandern II Flotilla
*6 July 1917 – 7 January 1918
|commanders=*''Kptlt.'' [[Rudolf Seuffer]]<ref>{{cite Uboat.net
|id=324
|name=Rudolf Seuffer
|type=1comm
|accessdate=27 February 2015
}}</ref>
*21 December 1916 – 7 January 1918
|operations=9 patrols
|victories=
*25 merchant ships sunk <br>({{GRT|42,005}})
*4 auxiliary warships sunk <br>({{GRT|866}})
*1 auxiliary warship damaged <br>({{GRT|270}})
}}
|}

'''SM ''UC-50''''' was a German [[Type UC II submarine|Type UC II]] [[minelayer|minelaying]] [[submarine]] or [[U-boat]] in the [[German Imperial Navy]] ({{langx|de|Kaiserliche Marine}}) during [[World War I]]. The U-boat was ordered on 20 November 1915 and was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launch]]ed on 23 November 1916. She was [[Ship commissioning|commission]]ed into the German Imperial Navy on 21 December 1916 as SM ''UC-50''.<ref group=Note>"SM" stands for "Seiner Majestät" ({{langx|en|His Majesty's}}) and combined with the ''U'' for ''Unterseeboot'' would be translated as ''His Majesty's Submarine''.</ref> In nine patrols ''UC-50'' was credited with sinking 29 ships, either by torpedo or by [[naval mines|mines]] laid.<ref name=UC-50 /> ''UC-50'' was sunk by [[depth charge]]s from British destroyer {{HMS|Zubian||2}} in the [[Dover Strait]] off [[Dungeness (headland)|Dungeness]] on 4 February 1918.<ref name=Mess-290 />

==Design==
A [[Type UC II submarine]], ''UC-50'' had a displacement of {{convert|434|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|511|t|LT}} while submerged. She had a [[length overall]] of {{convert|52.69|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[beam (ship)|beam]] of {{convert|5.22|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|3.64|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing {{convert|290|-|300|PS|kW shp}} (a total of {{convert|580|-|600|PS|kW shp}}), two electric motors producing {{convert|620|PS|kW shp}}, and two [[propeller shaft]]s. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of {{convert|50|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=31-32}}

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|11.8|kn}} and a submerged speed of {{convert|7.2|kn}}. When submerged, she could operate for {{convert|56|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, she could travel {{convert|8820 to 9450|nmi}} at {{convert|7|kn}}. ''UC-50'' was fitted with six {{convert|100|cm}} mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three {{convert|50|cm}} [[torpedo tube]]s (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one [[8.8 cm SK L/30 naval gun|{{convert|8.8|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} Uk L/30]] [[deck gun]]. Her [[Ship's company|complement]] was twenty-six crew members.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|pp=31-32}}

==Summary of raiding history==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width="140px"|Date
! width="140px"|Name
! width="160px"|Nationality
! width="25px" |Tonnage<ref group=Note name=tonnage>Merchant ship tonnages are in [[gross register tons]]. Military vessels are listed by tons [[displacement (ship)|displacement]].</ref>
! width="120px"|Fate<ref>{{cite Uboat.net
|id=uc50
|name=UC 50
|type=1boat
|accessdate=25 February 2015
}}</ref>
|-
|align="right"|13 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#24 April|''La Campine'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Netherlands}}
|align="right"|2,557
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|16 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#16 March|''Gudbrand'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|1,860
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|17 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#17 March|''Caledonia'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|161
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|17 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#17 March|''Expedit'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|680
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|17 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#17 March|''Gowan'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|25
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|17 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#17 March|''Kestrel'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|181
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|20 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#20 March|''Frisk'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|1,038
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|22 March 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in March 1917#22 March|''Rio Colorado'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|3,565
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|14 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#14 April|''Venus'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|725
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|18 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#18 April|''Witham'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|144
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|20 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#20 April|HMT ''Ruthin Castle'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|275
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|24 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#24 April|HMT ''Margate'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|162
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|24 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#24 April|''Mayfly'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|199
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|24 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#24 April|HMT ''Gaul'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|270
|align="left" |Damaged
|-
|align="right"|26 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#26 April|''Active'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|149
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|26 April 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1917#26 April|''Telefon'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|777
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|27 May 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1917#27 May|''Dartmoor'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|2,870
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|30 May 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1917#30 May|HMT ''Ina William'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|337
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|26 July 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in July 1917#26 July|''Carmarthen'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|4,262
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|3 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#3 September|''La Negra'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|8,312
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|5 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#5 September|''Emma'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|73
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|5 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#5 September|''Florence Muspratt'']]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://burtonstatherheritage.org/shipping.php?id=104|title=schooner Florence Muspratt|publisher=Burton Upon Hather Heritage Group|access-date=27 February 2015}}</ref>
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|79
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|5 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#5 September|''Frances'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|89
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|5 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#5 September|''Theodor'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|government}}
|align="right"|230
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|6 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#6 September|''Alesia'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|France}}
|align="right"|6,006
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|7 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#7 September|''Versailles'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|France}}
|align="right"|70
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|26 September 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in September 1917#26 September|HMD ''Ocean Star'']]
|align="left" |{{navy|United Kingdom}}
|align="right"|92
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|11 October 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in October 1917#11 October|''Baychattan'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|3,758
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|11 October 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in October 1917#11 October|''Mira'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|3,700
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|12 December 1917
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in December 1917#12 December|''Emlyndene'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|495
|align="left" |Sunk
|}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book
|first=Harald
|last=Bendert
|title=Die UC-Boote der Kaiserlichen Marine 1914-1918. Minenkrieg mit U-Booten
|publisher=Mittler
|year=2001
|location=Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn
|isbn=3-8132-0758-7
|language=German
}}
*{{cite book
|last1=Gröner
|first1=Erich
|last2=Jung
|first2=Dieter
|last3=Maass
|first3=Martin
|translator-last1=Thomas
|translator-first1=Keith
|translator-last2=Magowan
|translator-first2=Rachel
|year=1991
|title=U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels
|volume=2
|series=German Warships 1815–1945
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=0-85177-593-4
|ref=CITEREFGröner1991
}}
* {{cite book | editor1-last=Gardiner | editor1-first=Robert | editor2-last=Gray | editor2-first=Randal | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 | location = [[Annapolis, Maryland]] | publisher = [[Naval Institute Press]] | year = 1985 | isbn = 978-0-87021-907-8 | oclc = 12119866 }}
* {{cite book | last = Messimer | first = Dwight R. | title = Verschollen: World War I U-boat Losses | location = Annapolis, Maryland | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2002 | isbn = 978-1-55750-475-3 | oclc = 231973419 }}
* {{cite book | last = Tarrant | first = V. E. | title = The U-Boat Offensive: 1914–1945 | location = Annapolis, Maryland | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 1989 | isbn = 978-0-87021-764-7 | oclc = 20338385 }}
{{Refend}}

{{German Type UC II submarines}}
{{February 1918 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uc050}}
[[Category:Ships built in Kiel]]
[[Category:German Type UC II submarines]]
[[Category:U-boats commissioned in 1916]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British warships]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk in 1918]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1918]]
[[Category:World War I minelayers of Germany]]
[[Category:World War I shipwrecks in the English Channel]]
[[Category:World War I submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:1916 ships]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]