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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

DISPATCH TO BE SENT.

Date June 6, 1918.

To Opnav.

Prepared by H-1     Approved  Code No.

Your 6880 our 60941 Military characteristics of U-151 from latest Admiralty Information are as follows:- length 213 feet 3 inches; breadth, 29 feet 2 inches; surface draught 14 feet, 9 inches; displacement surface, 1700 tons; submerged 2100 tons; engines, 1200 H.P.; speed, surface 11.5 knots, submerged 8 knots; fuel stowage 250 tons including stowage in ballast tanks; endurance, surface 17000 miles at 6 knots, submerged 50 miles at 7 knots; armament two 5.9 guns, two 22 pounders, 1 machine gun, 6 torpedo tubes, 4 bow, 2 stern; complement 8 officers 65 men; U-151 is converted mercantile submarine, Deutschland type, commander probably Lieut-Commander Kophamel2 formerly in command of Pola submarine flotilla. In a cruise lasting from 10 September to 20 December approximately, U-151 was out over 100 days during which time 9 steamers and 5 sailing vessels total 45000 tons were sunk by gunfire; about 400 rounds ammunition carried for each gun; limited number of torpedoes carried – maximum of 12. Submarine may be equipped to carry and lay about 40 mines.

SIMS.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Documents referred to have not been found.

Footnote 2: For more on the cruise of U-151, see: Benson to Sims, 7 June 1918. U-151 was previously commanded by Korvettenkapitän Walter Kophamel, but at this time was under the command of Korvettenkapitän Heinrich von Nostitz und Jänckendorff. “U 151,” Uboat.net, Accessed on 21 May 1918, https://uboat.net/wwi/boats/?boat=151.