German submarine U-1059

History
Nazi Germany
Name: U-1059
Ordered: 25 August 1941
Builder: Germaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number: 693
Laid down: 4 June 1942
Launched: 12 March 1943
Commissioned: 1 May 1943
Fate: Sunk by aircraft, 19 March 1944
General characteristics
Class & type: Type VIIF submarine
Displacement:
  • 1,084 tonnes (1,067 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,181 t (1,162 long tons) submerged
Length:
Beam:
  • 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in) o/a
  • 4.70 m (15 ft 5 in) pressure hull
Height: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught: 4.91 m (16 ft 1 in)
Installed power:
  • 2,800–3,200 PS (2,100–2,400 kW; 2,800–3,200 bhp) (diesels)
  • 750 PS (550 kW; 740 shp) (electric)
Propulsion:
Speed: 16.9–17.6 knots (31.3–32.6 km/h; 19.4–20.3 mph) surfaced
Range:
  • 14,700 nmi (27,200 km; 16,900 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 75 nmi (139 km; 86 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth:
  • 200 m (660 ft)
  • Calculated crush depth: 220–240 m (720–790 ft)
Crew: 4 officers, 42 enlisted
Armament:
Service record
Part of:
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Herbert Brüninghaus
  • 1 May – 30 September 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Günter Leupold
  • 1 October 1943 – 19 March 1944
Operations: 12 February – 19 March 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-1059 was one of a series of four Type VIIF transport submarines of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Design

As one of the four German Type VIIF submarines, U-1059 had a displacement of 1,084 tonnes (1,067 long tons) when at the surface and 1,181 tonnes (1,162 long tons) while submerged.[1] She had a total length of 77.63 m (254 ft 8 in), a pressure hull length of 60.40 m (198 ft 2 in), a beam of 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in), and a draught of 4.91 m (16 ft 1 in). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 shaft horsepower (760 PS; 560 kW) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m (4 ft) propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750 ft).[1]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16.9–17.6 knots (31.3–32.6 km/h; 19.4–20.3 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 7.9 knots (14.6 km/h; 9.1 mph).[1] When submerged, the boat could operate for 75 nautical miles (139 km; 86 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph); when surfaced, she could travel 14,700 nautical miles (27,200 km; 16,900 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). U-1059 was fitted with five 53.3 cm (21 in) torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm (3.46 in) SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and various anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four.[1]

Service history

Commissioned on 1 May 1943, U-1059 was one of four Type VIIF torpedo transport submarines, which could carry 40 torpedoes,[2] and were used to re-supply other U-boats at sea. U-1059 first served with 5th U-boat Flotilla for training, and later served with 12th U-boat Flotilla from 1 January 1944 to 19 March 1944. U-1059 completed one torpedo transport patrol.

While transporting torpedoes to Monsun Gruppe U-boats operating in the Far East, U-1059 was sunk on 19 March 1944 at 13°10′N 33°44′W / 13.167°N 33.733°W / 13.167; -33.733Coordinates: 13°10′N 33°44′W / 13.167°N 33.733°W / 13.167; -33.733, southwest of the Cape Verde Islands by Avengers and Wildcats from the escort carrier USS Block Island.[3] Of U-1059’s crew, 47 were killed and 8 survived the attack.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, p. 67.
  2. Gröner 1985, p. 104.
  3. Allen Tony. "U-1059". Wreck Site. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  4. Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIF boat U-1059". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 January 2015.

Bibliography

  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German) IV (Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler). ISBN 3-8132-0514-2. 
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. German Warships 1815–1945 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel (London: Conway Maritime Press). ISBN 0-85177-593-4. 
  • Bishop, C. Kriegsmarine U-Boats, 1939–45. Amber Books, 2006.

External links

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