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U 47 Modifications & Colours

Weathering during October 1939

Several photographs taken of U 47 between the 17th and the 24th October 1939 show that the U-boat’s paint was far from fresh, and had sustained a reasonable degree of weathering. The starboard side of the conning tower had numerous patches of a darker paint where the rust had been treated and painted over. This may have been red lead undercoat, or a grey paint. In contrast, the port side of the conning tower was adorned with several patches of rust, and seems not to have been touched up with the darker paint. One might assume that both sides of the conning tower would have been treated at the same time, but apparently this had not been the case. There was also one large patch of a darker colour on the top of the starboard hull casing, just above the starboard saddle tank, which may also have been red lead undercoat or dark grey paint.

The area at the bottom of the U 47’s tower, where the tower meets the deck, seems to have sustained a heavier rust build up than other areas. This was not uncommon, because water would drain down U-boats’ towers and collect for a few seconds there before washing off the deck. In addition, the front of the towers often rusted quicker than the upper hulls because the front surfaces of the towers slapped against the water as U-boats ploughed through the seas.

The upper hull at this time was less patchy than the conning tower. There was a dirty scum line around and just above the normal waterline, and a good deal of exhaust staining was present on the hull around and abaft of the diesel exhaust hole. The saddle tanks were rustier than the hull sides. This was quite normal, as water constantly ran down over the tanks, allowing rust streaks to build up quickly.

On the 23rd October, U 47 sailed past numerous battleships and cruisers moored in Kiel to celebrate the Scapa Flow mission. Crews of the Scharnhorst, Emden and the training ship Schleswig-Holstein paraded on deck in honour of the little U 47. This photo shows U 47 sailing past the training ship Schleswig-Holstein.

U 47 enters the Germaniawerft shipyards on the 24th October 1939. The patchy appearance of the tower is apparent. Note also that the mount for the 20mm Flak gun was on the aft deck at this stage.

U 47 on the 17th October 1939. Rust streaks can be seen on the dark grey Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau saddle tanks. Note also the starboard breakwater at the right hand side, and the spray deflector midway up the front of the tower. Both these features were added at some stage before October 1939.

Late October/Early November 1939

U 47 spent the period between the 24th October 1939 and the 13th November 1939 in the Germaniawerft shipyards in Kiel. The boat was in the large dry-dock between the 1st November and the 8th November, and a test run was completed on the 13th November. During this time in refit, the spray deflector was extended around the conning tower all the way back to the rear trailing edge of the tower bulwark (C1). Small railings were also fitted to the top side of the spray deflector (C2) and over each of the snorting bulls (C3). During the Scapa Flow mission, the PORT side of U 47’s hull had scraped an anchor chain. It is likely that the rusty links of the anchor cable, covered with seaweed and encrusted with barnacles, would have scraped off the anti-fouling paint on parts of the port side of U 47’s hull and the keel. The necessary repairs were carried out at the Germaniawerft shipyards at this time.

U 47’s conning tower on the 16th November 1939, with the extended spray deflector. From that date onwards the bulls both faced forward rather than both facing to the left.

The extended spray deflector can be discerned in this photo of U 47, taken before her 3rd patrol commenced on the 16th November.