The submarine was powered by one Benz six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine producing 80 metric horsepower (59 kW; 79 shp), an electric motor producing 175 metric horsepower (129 kW; 173 shp), and one propeller shaft.

When submerged, she could operate for 50 nautical miles (93 km; 58 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 910 nautical miles (1,690 km; 1,050 mi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).

She was built by AG Weser Bremen and her complement was fourteen crew members.

On 29 November, while navigating using dead reckoning due to the adverse weather, she ran aground 55 nmi (102 km; 63 mi) east of the Bosphorous, near to the Melen River.

The crew subsequently scuttled UC-13 using demolition charges before being picked up by Turkish vessels.