SM UC-27

SM UC-27 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 29 August 1915 and was launched on 28 June 1916. She was commissioned into the German Imperial Navy on 25 July 1916 as SM UC-27. In 14 patrols, UC-27 was credited with sinking 58 ships, either by torpedo or by mines laid.

SS Skifted left from Mariehamn at 8:30 o'clock 14 December 1916, carrying 56 military persons, 7 workers, 15 members of the crew, and 13 civilians, a total of 91 persons. One hour later it was hit by the sea mines laid by the UC-27 and sank soon near Ledsun on the territory of the Lemland municipality of Åland. 86 persons died.

UC-27 was surrendered to France on 3 February 1919 and was broken up at Landerneau in July 1921.

Design
A Type UC II submarine, UC-27 had a displacement of 400 t when at the surface and 480 t while submerged. She had a length overall of 49.45 m, a beam of 5.22 m, and a draught of 3.68 m. The submarine was powered by two six-cylinder four-stroke diesel engines each producing 250 PS (a total of 500 PS), two electric motors producing 460 PS, and two propeller shafts. She had a dive time of 48 seconds and was capable of operating at a depth of 50 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 11.6 kn and a submerged speed of 6.6 kn. When submerged, she could operate for 53 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 9260 nmi at 7 kn. UC-27 was fitted with six 100 cm mine tubes, eighteen UC 200 mines, three 50 cm torpedo tubes (one on the stern and two on the bow), seven torpedoes, and one 8.8 cm Uk L/30 deck gun. Her complement was twenty-six crew members.