German submarine U-13 was a Type IIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine which was commissioned on 30 November 1936, following construction at the Deutsche Werke shipyards at Kiel. The first commander on board was Hans-Gerrit von Stockhausen. In her career she completed nine patrols, all while serving with the 1st U-boat Flotilla. The U-boat succeeded in sinking nine ships and damaging three more.
German Type IIB submarines were enlarged versions of the original Type IIs. U-13 had a displacement of 279t when at the surface and 328t while submerged. Officially, the standard tonnage was 2500NaN0, however. The U-boat had a total length of 42.7m (140.1feet), a pressure hull length of 28.2m (92.5feet), a beam of 4.08m (13.39feet), a height of 8.6m (28.2feet), and a draught of 3.9m (12.8feet). The submarine was powered by two MWM RS 127 S four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines of 700PS for cruising, two Siemens-Schuckert PG VV 322/36 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 460PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 0.85abbr=onNaNabbr=on propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 80-.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for 35- at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . U-13 was fitted with three 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes at the bow, five torpedoes or up to twelve Type A torpedo mines, and a 2cm (01inches) anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of twentyfive.
U-13 was sunk on 31 May 1940, in the North Sea 11nmi south-east of Lowestoft, in position 52.4333°N 4°W by depth charges from the British sloop . There were no casualties.
| Date | Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate[1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 September 1939 |  United Kingdom | 8,641 | Sunk (mine) | ||
| 16 September 1939 | United Kingdom | 10,902 | Damaged (mine) | ||
| 24 September 1939 |  France | 2,660 | Sunk (mine) | ||
| 30 October 1939 | Cairnmona | United Kingdom | 4,666 | Sunk | |
| 19 November 1939 | Bowling | United Kingdom | 793 | Sunk | |
| 6 January 1940 | City of Marseilles | United Kingdom | 8,317 | Damaged (mine) | |
| 31 January 1940 | Start |  Norway | 1,168 | Sunk | |
| 1 February 1940 | Fram |  Sweden | 2,491 | Sunk | |
| 6 February 1940 | Anu |  Estonia | 1,421 | Sunk (mine) | |
| 17 April 1940 | Swainby | United Kingdom | 4,935 | Sunk | |
| 26 April 1940 | Lily |  Denmark | 1,281 | Sunk | |
| 28 April 1940 | Scottish American | United Kingdom | 6,999 | Damaged |