SM U-161

SM U-161 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. U-161 was engaged in naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic.

U-161 was surrendered to the Allies at Harwich on 20 November 1918 in accordance with the requirements of the Armistice with Germany. Having been exhibited at Devonport in December 1918, she was then laid up there until sunk as in the English Channel by gunfire from the submarines L21 and L52 on 30 June 1921 in company with U-135.

Design
Type U 93 submarines were preceded by the shorter Type U 87 submarines. U-161 had a displacement of 821 t when at the surface and 1002 t while submerged. She had a total length of 71.55 m, a pressure hull length of 56.05 m, a beam of 6.30 m, a height of 8.25 m, and a draught of 3.88 m. The submarine was powered by two 2400 PS engines for use while surfaced, and two 1230 PS engines for use while submerged. She had two propeller shafts and two 1.70 m propellers. She was capable of operating at depths of up to 50 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16.2 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 8.2 kn. When submerged, she could operate for 50 nmi at 5 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 8 kn. U-161 was fitted with six 50 cm torpedo tubes (four at the bow and two at the stern), twelve to sixteen torpedoes, and one 10.5 cm SK L/45 deck gun. She had a complement of thirty-six (thirty-two crew members and four officers).