SM U-52 was one of 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I.U-52 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic. U-52 was noted for sinking two notable warships, the first notable warship (and second kill) being the Royal Navy's light cruiser HMS Nottingham, sunk in the North Sea on 19 August 1916 at 55°34′N 00°12′E / 55.567°N 0.200°E. Thirty-eight men were lost. The sinking of Nottingham was an important event in the German Imperial Navy's action of August 19.