German submarine U-1059 was a Type VIIF transport submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
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 on 19 March 1944 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Type VIIF submarine |
Displacement | |
Length |
|
Beam |
|
Height | 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in) |
Draught | 4.91 m (16 ft 1 in) |
Installed power |
|
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 16.9–17.6 knots (31.3–32.6 km/h; 19.4–20.3 mph) surfaced |
Range | |
Test depth |
|
Crew | 4 officers, 42 enlisted |
Armament |
|
Service record | |
Part of: |
|
Identification codes: | M 43 973 |
Commanders: |
|
Operations: |
|
Victories: | None |
U-1059 was one of four Type VIIF torpedo transport submarines, which could carry 40 torpedoes,[1] and were used to re-supply other U-boats at sea. U-1059 commissioned on 1 May 1943, first served with 5th U-boat Flotilla for training, and later served with 12th U-boat Flotilla from 1 January 1944 until 19 March 1944. U-1059 completed one torpedo transport patrol.
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.[2] 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).[2]
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).[2] 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 normal complement of about forty-six.[2]
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, southwest of the Cape Verde Islands by Grumman TBF Avengers and Grumman F4F Wildcats from the escort carrier USS Block Island.[3] Reports from the USS Corry are that initially there were 20 survivors, but because there were reports of a second U-boat in the area, the Corry was forced to stay away.[4] Of U-1059’s crew, 47 were killed and 8 survived the attack. The survivors were taken to Boston for medical attention.[5]