U-57 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Helgoland	20 September 1916	Helgoland	29 September 1916	10

 

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
24 Sep 16	10.06	54°28'N, 1°27'E	DEVONSHIRE	148	British
24 Sep 16	10.27	54°29'N, 1°26.2'E	BRITON	134	British
24 Sep 16	11.15	54°29'N, 1°29'E	APHELION	197	British
24 Sep 16	11.30	54°29'N, 1°29'E	ALBATROSS	158	British
24 Sep 16	11.45	54°29'N, 1°29'E	RANEE (damaged)	194	British
24 Sep 16	19.37	54°33'N, 0°28'E	LAILA	807	Norwegian
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	MARGUERITE	151	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	OTTER	123	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	SUNSHINE	185	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	TARANTULA	155	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	OTTERHOUND	150	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	LOCH NESS	176	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	NIL DESPERANDUM	148	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	ST. HILDA	94	British
Night of 24-25 Sep		54°34'N, 0°25'W	TRINIDAD	147	British
25 Sep 16	AM	54°40'N, 0°14'W	GAMECOCK	151	British
25 Sep 16	AM	54°32'N, 0°26'W	HARRIER	162	British
25 Sep 16	AM	54°32'N, 0°26'W	QUEBEC	133	British
25 Sep 16	12.30	54°38'N, 0°24'W	FISHER PRINCE	125	British
25 Sep 16	14.00	54°38'N, 0°24'W	SEAL	135	British
25 Sep 16	19.20	54°35'N, 0°10'E	CYNTHIA	133	British
			Total = 3,806
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

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				G  a n  z  =  G  e  h  e  i  m  !
				====================
				Kriegstagebuch
			S  M.  Unterseeboot    " U  57 "
			for the operation from 20 to 29 September 1916.
			Kommandant:    Kapitänleutnant    G  e  o  r  g  .
			Enclosures  :
			1 Track chart.
				© U-boat Archive 2025 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 1 -
		20.09.16
		11.40 AM	NW 6, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. good	Put to sea from Helgoland Harbor by F.d.U. Order Gg 481/0 of 19.9.16
		12.20 PM		Test dive at Hogstean.
		12.40 PM		Surfaced.  Course 272°.  Diesel-electric.
				Headed for Point M, after that Point K.
		4.25 PM		Daughter compass in the conning tower failed.  Radio bearings sufficient.  Course 295°.
		8.05 PM		Reduced speed to one diesel, GF ahead.
		10.50 PM		Course 262° at Silver Pit.
		21.09.16
		4.30 AM	φ = 54°29'N	3 white lights in sight, apparently fishing trawlers, avoided on the surface.
			λ = 5°35E
		4.45 AM	NW 7, overcast, Vis. good, at times moonshine	Diesel-electric, boat lies well in the seas.
		7.25 AM		Dived for fishing trawler, proceeded at depth 30 meters, course 265°.
		8.35 AM		Course 0°, because propeller sounds were heard in the Underwater Telegraphy system.
		9.10 AM		Nothing heard, came to course 265°.
		9.40 AM		Surfaced, continued transit on course 65°.
		11.35 AM		Fishing trawler in sight in 90°T, avoided on the surface.
		12.52 PM		Came to KF before the wind to improve the effectiveness of the antenna.
		12.58 PM		Transit continued.
		2.05 PM		Depth by cast of lead 38 meters.
		2.50 PM		Came to course 200°, to avoid sailing vessels on a northerly course.
		3.30 PM		Large sailing vessel turned towards the boat.
		3.32 PM		Quick dive, went to depth 11 meters, closed the sailing vessel submerged, it is a Dutch fisherman, that was just engaged in deploying its net, hence the previously observed turn.
		3.50 PM		Moved off submerged at GF and avoided multiple fishing vessels.
		6.10 PM		Surfaced, continued transit on course 295°.
		8.00 PM	W 2, Swell 4-5	Sounded Silver Pit.
		11.00 PM		Avoided a sailing vessel.
		22.09.16	φ = 54°14'N, λ = 1°36W
		4.00 AM	Wind SW, Swell 4-5, overcast	Avoided a fishing trawler.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 1, Swell 4
		7.00 AM		Dived before a dimmed steamer initiated attack.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.16

	- 2 -
		continued
		22.09.16
		7.20 AM		Gave up the attack because it was an unarmed Grimsby fishing trawler.
		9.00 AM		Surfaced.
		9.06 AM		Quick dive for smoke clouds which came in sight ahead to port.  Initiated attack, was an unarmed Grimsby fishing trawler.
		12.00 Noon	φ = 54°30'N
			λ = 0°38'E
			S 3, Sea 3, Vis. very good, sunshine
		12.04 PM		Continued transit.
			I'll go close under land to find targets, because so far no patrols at all have been determined.  An air attack is still not expected due to the weather conditions.  So far no vessels have been sighted that suggest a designed security belt against airship attacks.
		6.20 PM		Course 245°.  Ahead to starboard one Strich [11.25°] a steamer in sight on an easterly course.
		6.23 PM		Quick dive.  Initiated attack.
		6.40 PM		Attack given up because it was an unarmed fishing trawler with an English flag.
		8.00 PM	Lat. 54°23'N	Up to darkness proceeded at depth 11 meters.  Numerous unarmed fishing trawlers in the vicinity.
			Long. 0°04.8'W
			NW 4, Sea NW 4, Vis. good
		8.30 PM		Blew, opened the conning tower hatch, all around sweep.
		8.35 PM		Quick dive because one of the numerous fishing trawlers came in the immediate vicinity of the boat.
		8.40 PM		Went to depth 30 meters.  Submerged night transit.  Course 90°.
		23.09.16
		12.00 Midnight	φ = 54°32.1'N
			λ = 0°02.6'E
		2.00 AM		Course 220°.
		6.45 AM		Course 360°.
		7.05 AM		Course 300°.
		7.50 AM	Hazy, W 5, Sea W 3	Surfaced.
		8.00 AM		Avoided fishing trawlers on the surface.  Headed for the coast
		10.17 AM		Quick dive before a large steamer.  It is an approximately 6000-ton size Dane with neutrality markings without cargo.
		11.30 AM		Surfaced.  Headed for the coast on zigzag courses.
		12.48 PM		Quick dive for vessel with a yacht bow.
		1.10 PM		Surfaced, because the vessel disappeared in the hazy horizon.
		1.20 PM		A 3000-ton steamer in sight to port on course 330°.  Quick dive.  Danish neutrality markings, without cargo.
		1.30 PM		Headed for the coast.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.16

	- 3 -
		continued
		23.09.16
		2.10 PM		Coast in sight.  Whitby Lighthouse in 281°T, 2 nm away.
				Back and forth in position at low speed on course 40° and 220°.
		3.15 PM		Very active steamer traffic close under the coast.  1 to 1.5 nm away. So far no patrols determined.  Fishing trawlers proceed in groups 5 nm off the coast with deployed nets, they carry registry markings and fly the English merchant flag on a special flag pole on the bridge.
		3.30 PM		Destroyer of the NIMROD-Class in sight in 330°T.  Range 18000 meters, proceeds close under land at low speed on a straight course.  Destroyer came in sight abeam and could only be made out against the sun through a blinding glass inserted in a periscope.
		3.31 PM		Initiated attack at AK and tried to close to shooting range.
		3.55 PM		Gave up the attack.  Last range 6000 meters impact angle 40°.  Radio Message could not be sent because surfacing was impossible due to active traffic and proximity to the coast.
		6.00 PM		6 fishing trawlers come in sight astern out of Whitby at high speed.  Steamers proceed in zigzag course and take course for my position spread apart in a fan.  Went to depth 30 meters.  Moved off at high speed on changing courses.
			I assume that the steamers just happened to take up their search positions to advance on the daily patrol.
		6.20 PM		Strong propeller sounds over the boat.
		7.55 PM		Went to depth 11 meters.  Nothing in sight.
		8.12 PM		Blew.  Course 90°.  Charged the battery.
		8.52 PM	SE 2-3, hazy, mirror flat sea	Radio Message from Arkona, that airships have taken off.
			I head for a point approximately 55-60 nm off the coast, to determine if there are patrol vessels set out for airship attacks.
		24.09.16
		6.50 AM	SE 1, Sea 0, Vis. very good
		6.50 AM		Avoided fishing trawlers.
		7.40 AM		Freighter in sight to starboard.
		7.45 AM		Quick dive.  Steamer is the  Dutch GAASTER, had recognition signal set and a large long range signal cone on top.  Steamer is empty.  Had course 283°.
		7.55 AM		Two fishing trawlers in sight, closed to 200 meters submerged, nothing suspicious.
			Since the sea is as smooth as glass, so an underwater attack on warships is almost impossible, and no warship target has yet been sighted during the three days that I have cruised in my area, I decide to destroy the trawlers in order to make the most of the time. I

	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.16

	- 4 -
		continued
		24.09.16		am well aware that the destruction of trawlers must betray my presence and will entail enemy counteraction.  At the same time, however, all war warship traffic will be relocated from north to south and vice versa due to the danger of U-boats close under the coast, so that taking up a waiting position just under Whitby Rock promises success and thus I can fulfill my real task.
		9.01 AM		Surfaced, cannon alarm.  Signal:  "Abandon ship", warning shot over both boats.  Steamers launch boats.
		9.37 AM		Boats of the first steamer come alongside.  Captain was sent back to get papers and fish as provisions for the crew.
		10.06 AM	=54°28'N	Trawler DEVONSHIRE sunk with artillery, papers in the enclosure.
			=1°27'E
		10.27 AM	=54°29'N	Trawler BRITON = Gy 374 Grimsby sunk with artillery.  Captain had left papers on board
			=1°26.2'E
		10.30 AM		Three further fishing trawlers in sight.  Prompted to disembark with warning shot.
		11.15 AM	=54°29'N	Trawler APHELION Gy 1123 sink with artillery.  Papers could not be taken on board because a smoke clouds came in sight to the west.
			=1°29'E
		11.30 AM		Trawler "ALBATROSS" No. 279, Grimsby sunk with artillery
				Boat of the trawler RANEE Gy 1157 with the crew brought alongside.  Crew taken on board.  Demolition team sent to the trawler.  Engine was made unusable with 2 demolition charges.  Crew sent back with orders, to take up the boats of the other steamers.  Signal flags were removed from the steamer, fish were are taken on board for the crew.
			From the conversations with the crews it emerges that they are very displeased with the English admiralty, which gives them no protection. Never patrol vessels in this area. The English warships all proceed in safety only 1.5 miles from the coast.
		12.05 PM		Moved off on changing courses.
			I went closer to the coast to search for more fishing trawlers, although there is a high probability that the heavy cloud of smoke seen at 11.15 hours was a fishing boat that went under land at high speed to warn other vessels.
		12.08 PM		Headed to the NNW on changing courses.
		5.10 PM	Vis. very good, wind calm, sunshine, mirror flat sea	In the north a steamer with deck cargo comes in sight on a westerly course.  Signal: "Send a boat", warning shot.
		5.50 PM		Captain brings papers of the Norwegian steamer "LAILA" on the way from Archangel to Hull with pit wood.
			φ = 54°33'N	LAILA sunk in accordance with the Prize Regulations Paragraph 40 and 115 after the crew has been given time to disembark.  Because destruction of the steamer does not succeed with artillery, shot a G 6 AV torpedo.  Range 400 meters with depth setting 5 meters, set MZ.
			λ = 0°28'E
		7.10 PM

Sun and Moon Data 24.09.16

	- 5 -
		continued
		24.09.16		The torpedo went under the engine room past the target without detonating, in the last part of the running track the torpedo broached and steered an irregular zigzag course.  MZ had not functioned.
		7.37 PM		K-torpedo from the first tube.  Depth setting 2 meters.  Range 300 meters.  Hit in the engine room.  Steamer sank in a short time
		7.47 PM		Ran towards the coast, crew of the LAILA taken in tow in 2 boats.
			The Captain of the LAILA recounted that in Archangel there was only an old English watch vessel, and a few fast patrol boats.  3 to 4 months ago the last steamer (icebreaker) the route prescribed by the Admiralty leads at least 50 nm north of the Fair Island.  The LAILA could not have stayed on this due to the small radius of action.
		9.30 PM [?]		Many lights of a fishing flotilla come in sight.  The trawlers fish in a long line abreast.
			Since in the previous days I approached every trawler that came in sight, submerged to 200 to 300 meters and had never noticed anything suspicious, additionally I had not encountered any patrol vessels so far, although I had already crossed my entire area (enemy Radio Message traffic was not observed), I can assume that it is a harmless fishing flotilla and decide to destroy it.
		8.30 PM	SE 1, clear horizon, dark new moon night, beacons are visible	I closed the last steamer in the line abreast of approximately 12 fishing vessels to 4000 to 5000 meters and asked the Norwegian Capitan of the LAILA to show me the great
			kindness of rowing to the last steamer and telling the Captain that a German U-boat was in the vicinity, whose Commander orders: He should immediately leave the trawler with his crew and come alongside with the papers.  Any refusal or signal would result in the use of the U-boat's weapons.
			I pointed out to the Captain that I had no right to order him to approach the steamer, and that he would be doing me a great service if he complied with my request. The captain happily complied with my request.
		9.15 PM		The LAILA boat and a boat from the trawler with the crew of the FISCHER PRINCE return. The fishing vessel drifted with its lights set in before its nets without anything unusual being noticed on board.
			I decide to get the crew from the other trawlers with the FISCHER PRINCE and destroy the trawlers afterwards.  Immediate destruction would have resulted in the escape of the remaining steamers. The papers were confiscated from the Captains of the trawlers. Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell, 2 Unteroffzier and 2 men were sent along with the crew to the FISCHER PRINCE after the Captain was told that he must obey the officer's orders at all costs.  In the event of the slightest violation of this order, the U-boat, which was constantly following the trawler, would make use of its weapons.
			It was never my intention to stay near the trawler at night, I wanted to use this statement to force the trawler Captain to obey unconditionally.
				Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell, received the order to first take

Sun and Moon Data 24.09.16

	- 6 -
		continued
		24.09.16		off the crew from all of them and take them aboard the FISCHER PRINCE.  Signals for dangerous situations and all possible situations were discussed in detail with the Watch Officer.  I myself stayed far away with the boat in heightened alert and followed the FISCHER PRINCE, who could always be kept in sight by the marking we chose, a high acetylene stern lantern and lower bow lantern of the same type.  Only once, while chasing a distant trawler, did the FISHER PRINCE passed out of sight.  Since I had the suspicion that the trawler was no longer under the command of Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell I ran in the direction in which the FISHER PRINCE disappeared at high speed and realized that my suspicions were unfounded. Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell was in the process of getting the crew off a trawler.
		25.04.16
		5.00 AM		The FISCHER PRINCE came back having executed the orders.  It had the crew of 10 steamers on board, approximately 120 men.  Prearranged recognition signals were exchanged.  Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell reports that he had been supported in every respect in carrying out his orders by the Captain of the FISCHER PRINCE, that he had no difficulties in keeping the crews in check, since they were peaceful and even supported him in his plan with a big hello when he called the trawlers etc.
				There is nothing remarkable about the fishing flotilla except that the bearing line has deteriorated.
		6.00 AM		Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell received the order to go alongside the trawlers lying nearby and sink them by opening the hull valves.  Although this took a lot of time, it was necessary to stick to this procedure, as explosives would have attracted attention and it was still possible that one of the many fishing trawlers still had its crew on board.
		6.30 AM		I lay alongside a trawler, which was expressly reported abandoned before by Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell, to charge. I suppose that if any reaction should occur, they would least suspect me alongside a fishing trawler whose lights dazzled brightly. The boat is ready to dive away on the spot and was only held with hooks.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.16

	- 7 -
		25.09.16
		6.xx AM		Among the drifting fishing flotilla, a trawler is noticed, which is still moving and is coming towards me.  Moved off at high speed.
				Apparently Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell had also noticed and went before the bow of the trawler at high speed and brought it to a stop.  By the statement of the Captain the steamer was said to be busy just re-deploying its nets.  The crew was taken aboard FISHER PRINCE (report of Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell)
		7.xx AM		Called back FISHER PRINCE.  The steamer TRANTULA, which I had been alongside, was sunk by opening the hull valves.
				Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell received orders  to move off with the FISHERPRINCE, make the engines unusable and sink all the boats except for one in which he would come on board.
				Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell came back with his prize crew.  I have my entire crew on board.
		7.xx AM		Moved off far from the fishing flotilla on a northerly course to await full lightness.
		7.xx AM	Vis. very good, morning twilight, wind calm	A fishing trawler comes in sight to the north, warning shot, Signal: "Abandon ship".  Papers were taken on board, it was the trawler "GAMECOCK".
		8.xx AM		The steamer was sunk with artillery.  The crew was sent to the FISHER PRINCE, towed part of the way.
		8.xx AM	Vis. 20 nm	I ran at high speed, to be protected against U-boat attack, between the unmanned fishing trawler flotilla and sank the remaining trawlers by artillery.
		[handwritten note	φ = 54°40'N, λ = 0°30'W]
		x.xx AM		The fishing flotilla is destroyed.
			The well-considered, safe and energetic approach and action of Oblt.z.S. v.Ruckteschell, to whom the fortune of this operation can be attributed, deserves special recognition.
		x.xx AM		To the south a fishing trawler tries to escape.  Warning shot, the crew abandons ship and rows to FISHER PRINCE, which is the only one left from the fishing flotilla.
		x.xx AM		Fishing trawler HARRIER was sunk by artillery.
		x.xx AM		A fishing trawler in sight to the south, hunted, warning shot, crew abandoned ship.  Fishing trawler QUEBEC sunk by artillery.  Papers could not be taken because a large fishing trawler came in sight.  Brought to a stop by Signal and warning shot.
				Captain came aboard with papers, it was the steamer "TROMP" (Norwegian) on the way from Amsterdam for New Castle.  Without cargo.

Sun and Moon Data 25.09.16

	- 8 -
		continued
		25.09.16		The Captain has clearance from the German Ambassador in Amsterdam as a steamer chartered from America for the supply of the civilian population in Belgium.
		11.05 AM		Steamer "TROMP" released, Captain asked to take over the crews of the fishing trawlers and the lifeboats from QUEBEC and HARRIER.  The Captain promised to hurry.
		12.30 PM		FISHER PRINCE was sunk by artillery.  "TROMP" had taken over the crew.
		1.00 PM		Went to the north, fishing trawler in sight, stopped, crew sent to "TROMP".
		2.00 PM		Trawler "SEAL" destroyed by artillery.
		3.00 PM		Began transit to the SE corner of my operations area, in order to counteract the impending countermeasures and to look again for reporting vessels for Zeppelin attacks.
		7.10 PM		Fishing trawler in sight, warning shot, crew abandoned ship, boat with crew was taken in tow, held under fire to collect the papers. Towed boat capsized while catching up.  2 people fell into the water, were rescued, crew was taken on board.
		7.20 PM	Lat = 54°35'N	Fishing trawler "CYNTHIA" sunk by artillery
			Long. = 0°10'E
			So far the following fishing trawlers were sunk:
			1. FISHER PRINCE 136.32 tons   2. LOCH NESS 176.36 tons 3. ST. HILDA 93.86 tons   4. NIL DESPERANDUM 148 tons 5. DEVONSHIRE 166.38 tons   6. OTTERHOUND 166 tons 7. SEAL 135.40 tons   8. SUNSHINE 210.69 tons 9. TRINIDAD 173.68 tons   10. HARRIER 191.96 tons 11. MARGUERITE 178.29 tons   12. OTTER 157.13 tons 13. TRANTULA 180.30 tons   14. GAME COCK 144.99 tons 15. BRITON     16. APHELION   17. TAGALIE     18. ALBATROSS   19. CYNTHIA     20. TRIUMPH   21. QUEBEC     22. RANEE (not sunk, only engine damaged)
			Total tonnage of the steamers obtained from their ships papers:  2259.36 tons
			8 fishing trawlers with average tonnage 160                               1280      tons
			Total tonnage of the sunken fishing trawlers                                3539.36 tons
			Papers of 14 trawlers in the enclosure.

Sun and Moon Data 25.09.16

	- 9 -
		continued
		25.09.16		A large passenger liner comes in sight to the north, Signal:  "Send a boat", warning shot, steamer obviously tries to flee, a few shots were placed in the vicinity of the steamer.
		xx.30 PM		Steamer stopped.
		xx 20 PM	Vis. very great	Captain comes aboard with papers.  It is the Royal Dutch West India Postal steamer "COMMENWYNE".  Papers are fine as submitted.  General cargo.  But I'm pretty sure they're fakes or something else is wrong on the steamer, as the Captain wanted to escape first, only apologizing that he didn't see where the shots came from, and otherwise very uncertain in his demeanor, according to papers, all the passengers were Dutch. Steamer came from Falmouth and wants to go to Amsterdam, steamer released.  It shows again that successful trade war can hardly be carried out from a U-boat in accordance with the Prize Regulations without seriously endangering the boat or a part of the crew.
		xx.05 PM		Captain released, crew of the last sunken fishing trawler "CYNTHIA" put on board.
		xx.x0 PM		Deceptive course briefly, then followed in the wake of the steamer, steamer had course for Swarte Bank Lightship which coincides with destination Amsterdam.
		11.00 PM		Course for Silver Pit, sounded the Dogger Bank.
		26.09.16	=54°20'N
			=1°25'E
		x.xx AM		Lights from fishing trawlers in sight, awaited lightness.
		x.xx AM	Wind calm	Steered search courses for the fishing trawlers, nothing sighted.
			I assume these were submarines that lay in position at night with fishing lights, left the area and headed for Whitby Rock. This place is chosen as waiting station for an operation on the coast, as the 40-meter line runs to within 1.5 nm from the coast.
		6.00 PM		Quick dive for a black spire shaped object that suddenly emerged from the haze of the horizon.  Approached submerged. It is the Whitby objective buoy, a large red pointed buoy without top marking, at the same time the high coast comes in sight.
		6.10 PM	Mirror flat sea, wind calm, Vis. low	An armed fishing trawler in sight, which patrols back and forth at the objective buoy.  Initiated attack.
		8.00 PM		Gave up the attack, the trawler turns continually.  The boat is too un-maneuverable.  With its circle radius of 370 meters submerged.  Remedy by lengthening the rudder is urgently desired.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.16

	- 10 -
		26.09.16
		8.10 PM		Head for Whitby Rock on SE course.
		8.12 PM		Inbound fishing trawler in sight.
		8.20 PM		Apparently an armed fishing trawler in sight.  Had course direct for the boat.  Approach no longer possible, went to depth 30 meters.
		8.40 PM		Surfaced.  Back and forth in position in SE and NW courses, nothing in sight.  The entire otherwise lively steamer traffic under the coast seems to have been held up because of the danger of U-boats.
		10.00 PM		Nothing more is distinguished in the periscope, proceeded submerged at depth 30 meters on course 45°, at HF.
		27.09.16
		x.00 AM	E 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. low	Surfaced.
			decide to run to the coast once again to find warship targets.
		x.16 AM		Course for Flanborough Head.  Charged the battery.
		x.30 AM		Loud Radio Message traffic, which remained in the immediate vicinity of the boat the entire day.
		10.30 AM		Quick dive for 2 vessels closing quickly, only the white bow sea is distinguished. When the boat is submerged nothing more is seen through the periscope.
		10.40 AM		Surfaced.  Continued transit to the coast.
		11.40 AM		Periscope 300 meters abeam to port.  Boat runs at high speed.  Turned away hard.
		11.50 AM		Quick dive.
		12.00 Noon	E 5, Vis. low, Wind strength increases	Surfaced.
			Due to weather conditions I decide to begin return transit.
		12.30 PM		Course 45°, diesel-electric.  Zigzag course.
		xx.30 PM		Because navigation is certain, opted for return transit vis Point M.
		xx.30 PM		Dived to proceed submerged at depth 20 meters due to low visibility, at HF.
		28.09.16	=54°40'N, =3°17'E
		x.15 AM	E 4, Sea E 5, Vis. good	Surfaced.
		x.05 PM		Quick dive for a large vessel, that came in sight to the north.
		x.10 PM		Initiated attack.  Vessel turned out to be the Dutch steamer "VENUS" from Amsterdam with conspicuous neutrality markings and low stern.  Course of the steamer 120° for the Deutschen Bucht.  Since the Fleet had not given any instructions that the steamer VENUS was allowed to enter the German Bucht, there was suspicion that it was a disguised English mine-layer, which the low stern also

	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.16

	- 11 -
		continued
		28.09.16		seems to indicate.
		xx.41 PM		Surfaced, range 6000 meters.  Set the German flag.  Signal:  "Stop immediately", warning shot.
		xx.50 PM		Steamer stopped, hoist a signal that was not made out.  Signal:  "Send a boat".
			So that the steamer, if it is a vessel whose quick arrival to Emden is in the interest of the German government, is not held up unnecessarily long, radio message to Fleet and I.B.d.A.:  Does the Dutch steamer "VENUS" have permission to enter the Deutsch Bucht.  U-57".
		xx.02 PM		Boat with officer comes alongside, English war flag set before to get the officer to give the correct papers.  When the papers were in my hand set the German flag and informed the officer about my action.  The Dutch steamer "VENUS" had cargo of linseed oil from Rosario for Amsterdam for the Dutch government, last harbor Falmouth, from there headed for the Dogger Bank via Fair Island.  Officer claimed the steamer had course for IJmuiden and was just avoiding the U-boat that had been sighted running.  Because also the cutter crew was Dutch, I informed the officer about the steamer COMMENWYN I stopped, steamer released as unsuspicious.
		xx.30 PM		Corresponding Radio Message to Fleet and B.d.A.
		xx.40 PM		Continued on an easterly course.
		29.09.40	E 4, Sea 4, Vis. east	Headed for Point K.
		xx.00 AM	=54°25'N	Dived, depth 20 meters, HF in case the navigation is not right  to get clear of the English mine barrier.
			=5°26'E
		xx.00 AM		Surfaced.  Headed for Point K.
		12.40 PM		S 125 comes in sight directly ahead.  Exchanged Recognition Signals.  S 125 sends steer zigzag course for U-boat danger.
		xx.40 PM		T 99 in sight. Exchanged Recognition Signals.
				Headed for Helgoland.
		xx.30 PM		Made fast Helgoland Harbor.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.16
	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.16

 

	Enclosures to U-57's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart of entire patrol
Experience	Experience report
Order	Operations Order

 

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