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U-47
Probably
the best known U-boat of World War II because of her commander, KK
Günther Prien, who penetrated the British fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow in
October 1939 and sank the battleship Royal Oak at her berth there.
Overnight sensations in Germany, Prien and his crew established the
submariners' heroic public image in Germany for the rest of the war.
U-47 also sank 30 merchant vessels totaling 164,953 tons.
Type: VII B
Built: Germaniawerft, Kiel
Keel laid: 1 April 1937
Launched: 29 October 1938
Commissioned: 17 December 1938
Commander: KK Günther Prien
Fate: Originally believed lost in action with all 45 crewmen against British
destroyer HMS Wolverine south of Iceland on 7 March 1941. Subsequent
research, however, suggests the boat may have been lost in a diving accident
while in combat on that date.
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