German submarine U-63 (1939)

History
Nazi Germany
Name	U-63
Ordered	21 July 1937
Builder	Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel
Yard number	262
Laid down	2 January 1939
Launched	6 December 1939
Commissioned	18 January 1940
Fate	Sunk, 25 February 1940
General characteristics
Class & type	Type IIC coastal submarine
Displacement	291 t (286 long tons) surfaced; 341 t (336 long tons) submerged;
Length	43.90 m (144 ft 0 in) o/a; 29.60 m (97 ft 1 in) pressure hull;
Beam	4.08 m (13 ft 5 in) (o/a); 4.00 m (13 ft 1 in) (pressure hull);
Height	8.40 m (27 ft 7 in)
Draught	3.82 m (12 ft 6 in)
Installed power	700 PS (510 kW; 690 bhp) (diesels); 410 PS (300 kW; 400 shp) (electric);
Propulsion	2 shafts; 2 × diesel engines; 2 × electric motors;
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced; 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph) submerged;
Range	1,900 nmi (3,500 km; 2,200 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced; 35–42 nmi (65–78 km; 40–48 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged;
Test depth	80 m (260 ft)
Complement	3 officers, 22 men
Armament	3 × 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes; 5 × torpedoes or up to 12 TMA or 18 TMB mines; 1 × 2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 anti-aircraft gun;
Service record
Part of	1st U-boat Flotilla; 18 January – 25 February 1940;
Identification codes	M 06 536
Commanders	Oblt.z.S. Günther Lorentz; 18 January – 25 February 1940;
Operations	1 patrol:; 17 – 25 February 1940;
Victories	1 merchant ship sunk ; (3,840 GRT)

German submarine U-63 was a Type IIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that served in the Second World War. She was built by Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel. Ordered on 21 July 1937, she was laid down on 2 January 1939 as yard number 262. She was launched on 6 December 1939 and commissioned on 18 January 1940 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Günther Lorentz.

U-63 was initially assigned to the 1st U-boat Flotilla during her training period, until 1 February 1940. She stayed with that organization until her sinking.