U.31-U.36.
(Building.)
These are the six vessels which are rapidly nearing completion, and which were in a much more advanced state, at the opening of hostilities, than was generally known in foreign naval circles. They are the same in almost every respect as the vessels U.25 to U.30. There is, however, another submarine being built for Germany of a totally different design. This is the F.I.A.T. or Laurenti boat (Italian), laid down at the beginning of 1914. This vessel is very similar to the four “S” boats being built at Greenock for the British Navy.
No German submarines have in the past been sent to any Colonial or oversea station. Therefore, the whole flotilla of 30 to 36 vessels was immediately available for operations in the North Sea and Baltic when war began. The personnel of the whole torpedo service is very efficient, great attention having been paid to this branch of the Navy. The three German Submarine flotillas have their headquarters at Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, and Heligoland.
CHAPTER VII
AUSTRIAN SUBMARINES
At the commencement of the War the Austro-Hungarian Navy included six submarines in the active flotilla and five others were being completed at the Germania Yard, Kiel, but it is doubtful if they had been delivered. In which event they must be added to the strength of the German flotilla. In addition to these, several larger vessels, mostly of the latest “U” or Krupp design, had been ordered, but were not expected to take their place in the active flotillas before the end of 1915.
Austria commenced the formation of a submarine flotilla in 1908 by the acquisition of two vessels of the Improved Holland type from Messrs. Vickers Ltd., and two others of the American Lake type. In the following year two more submarines were ordered, this time from Krupp’s Germania Yard. All these vessels were delivered during 1910, and Austria’s first submarine flotilla came into being.