23rd October 1916 SM U-85 was built at the
Shipyard Germaniawerft, Kiel (Werk 255),
Ordered 23 Jun 1915 she was laid down on 29th Nov 1915.
Launched 22 Aug 1916 she was commissioned 23 Oct 1916
From 23 Oct 1916 to 7 Mar 1917 she was commanded by Willy Petz
Her career spanned 2 patrols between
15 Jan 1917 and 12 Mar 1917 with the IV Flotilla.
She claimed 4 ships sunk with a total of 20,225 tons and
1 ship damaged with a total of 7,608 tons.
- 26 Jan 1917 Dicax 923 nw
- 6 Feb 1917 Cliftonian 4,303 br
- 6 Feb 1917 Explorer (damaged) 7,608 br
- 7 Feb 1917 California 8,669 br
- 7 Feb 1917 Vedamore 6,330 br
She was presumed foundered in the North Sea on or after 7th March 1917 with 38 dead (all hands lost).
She had been recorded sunk by gunfire from Q-Ship Privet at 50°02’N 4°13’W, but this attack was against UC 68 which was not sunk in the action.
There was another U 85 in World War Two.
That boat was launched from its shipyard on 10 Apr 1941 and commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 7 Jun 1941.
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
Site Home
Help & FAQs
