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German submarine U-1059

Coordinates: 13°10′N 33°44′W / 13.167°N 33.733°W / 13.167; -33.733
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History
Nazi Germany
NameU-1059
Ordered25 August 1941
BuilderGermaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number693
Laid down4 June 1942
Launched12 March 1943
Commissioned1 May 1943
FateSunk by aircraft on 19 March 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeType 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
Height9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught4.91 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
Speed16.9–17.6 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)
Crew4 officers, 42 enlisted
Armament
Service record
Part of:
Identification codes: M 43 973
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S. Herbert Brüninghaus
  • 1 May – 30 September 1943
  • Oblt.z.S. Günter Leupold
  • 1 October 1943 – 19 March 1944
Operations:
  • 1 patrol:
  • 12 February – 19 March 1944
Victories: None

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

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.

Design

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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]

Service history

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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; -33.733, 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]

Bibliography

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  • Bishop, Chris (2006). Kriegsmarine U-Boats, 1939-45. London: Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-904687-96-2.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary. Translated by Brooks, Geoffrey. London, Annapolis, Md: Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-186-6.
  • Busch, Rainer; Röll, Hans-Joachim (1999). Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945 [German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945]. Der U-Boot-Krieg (in German). Vol. IV. Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn: Mittler. ISBN 3-8132-0514-2.
  • Gröner, Erich (1985). Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945 / 3, U-Boote, Hilfskreuzer, Minenschiffe, Netzleger, Sperrbrecher (in German). Koblenz: Bernard & Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-4802-4. OCLC 310610321.
  • Gröner, Erich; Jung, Dieter; Maass, Martin (1991). German Warships 1815–1945, U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels. Vol. 2. Translated by Thomas, Keith; Magowan, Rachel. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-593-4.

References

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  1. ^ Gröner 1985, p. 104.
  2. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 67.
  3. ^ Allen Tony. "U-1059". Wreck Site. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  4. ^ McKernon, Francis. "DON'T GO NEAR THEM'". USS Corry DD-463 Home Page. Kevin McKernon. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  5. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type VIIF boat U-1059". German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
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