German submarine U-1059
| History | |
|---|---|
 Nazi Germany
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| 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: |
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| Length: |
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| Beam: |
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| Height: | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 4.91 m (16 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 16.9–17.6 knots (31.3–32.6 km/h; 19.4–20.3 mph) surfaced |
| Range: | |
| Test depth: |
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| Crew: | 4 officers, 42 enlisted |
| Armament: |
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| Service record | |
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| Commanders: |
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| 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°WCoordinates: 13°10′N 33°44′W / 13.167°N 33.733°W, 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 2 3 4 Gröner 1991, p. 67.
- ↑ Gröner 1985, p. 104.
- ↑ Allen Tony. "U-1059". Wreck Site. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
- ↑ 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
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIF boat U-1059". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 January 2015.