German submarine U-16 (1936)

German submarine U-16 was a Type IIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that served during World War II. It was launched on 28 April 1936, under the command of Heinz Beduhn, with a crew of 23. Its last of four commanders was Horst Wellner.

Design
German Type IIB submarines were enlarged versions of the original Type IIs. U-16 had a displacement of 279 t when at the surface and 328 t while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was 250 LT, however. The U-boat had a total length of 42.70 m, a pressure hull length of 28.20 m, a beam of 4.08 m, a height of 8.60 m, and a draught of 3.90 m. The submarine was powered by two MWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines of 700 PS for cruising, two Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 460 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 0.85 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 80 - 150 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 12 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 35 - 42 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 3800 nmi at 8 kn. U-16 was fitted with three 53.3 cm torpedo tubes at the bow, five torpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a 2 cm anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of twentyfive.

Service history
From 2 September 1939, until 25 October 1939, U-16 took part in the laying of mines in open water in and around the English Channel, to hamper allied shipping. On 28 September 1939, U-16 sank the Swedish 3,378 GRT Nyland. The 57 GRT French Sainte Claire was sunk by one of the mines laid by U-16 on 21 November 1939.

Fate
On 25 October 1939, U-16 was transiting the Dover Strait when it was attacked by HMS Puffin (L52) and HMS Cayton Wyke. Trying to avoid the depth charges from both ships, U-16 ran aground on the Goodwin Sands, an area that was notorious for both sides. U-16 was lost with all hands; other U-Boats were subsequently obliged to take the significantly longer route north of Scotland to the Western Approaches and the north Atlantic.