At the beginning of May 1945, the Black Point departed Newport News, Virginia, for Weymouth, Massachusetts, with her cargo holds full of coal. The crew was interned and sent to POW camps, after which they were charged when the war ended. On that day, Donitz issued a radio communique instructing all U-boats to cease attacks on Allied shipping and return to Germany. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . U-852 Update. Unlike U-85 and U-701, U-352 rests south of Cape Hatteras, off Cape Lookout in more stable conditions and more inviting Gulf Stream water for the average diver. Divers approaching the U-352's conning tower. Read about one of the most interesting events of the U-boat of WWII when Heinz-Wilhelm Eck of U-852 ordered the wreck of the torpedoed merchant Peleus destroyed with machine-gun fire. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. U-85 had a displacement of 753 tonnes (741 long tons) when at the surface and 857 tonnes (843 long tons) while submerged. Mohr, age 26, was killed when U-124was sunk with all hands on 2 April 1943 west of Oporto, Portugal. Greger sunk the ship and then proceeded directly to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. U-654 was able to sink one vessel in this convoy, while Greger fired at least three torpedoes with no hits. The wreck lies on its starboard side with approximately an approximately 80-degree list. This site was discovered in 1974 by Olympus owner and Captain, George Purifoy, and several friends. Apparently, bombers forced U-852 to beach on the coastline during a naval battle. She sank 38 ships totaling 217,751 tons, including 14. Eck and two of his crew were tried and executed after the . Thank you for your support! This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The crew was captured and later tried for war crimes. There are 3 type XXI boats buried in the Elbe II bunker in Hamburg. In November 1945, Eck and the U-852's four junior officers were tried by the British at a special military tribunal in Hamburg for killing the crew from the Peleus. The remains of this little-known battlefield serve as the final resting place for 90 ships and nearly 1,700 men lost during the Battle of the Atlantic. Over the next several hours, Rathke got off two torpedoes, both of which missed. The history behind this site has been televised and featured on the History Channel and is one of North Carolina's best-known dive sites. The depth charges killed the entire U-85 crew. Two other officers of U-852, the 2WO and the doctor were also indicted and shot. Sir Douglas Bader, the RAF fighter pilot without legs. Following repairs, U-85 transferred from St. Nazaire to Lorient on October 11. Download image (jpg, 270 KB). One survivor managed to escape and was eventually rescued by allied ships. U-852 was enroute to the Indian Ocean to join the Monsoon wolf pack operating there. The German commander said he carried out the attack because there might have been communications equipment on the survivors rafts and the Laconia Order forbade him from helping the crews of sunk enemy ships. At the end of February, the vessel retuned empty handed to St. Nazaire. Even as the crewman were reaching their battle stations, the Wellingtons were starting their second strafing run. Hand grenades were also hurled at the remaining lifeboats . It is unclear whether the German U-boat commander received Donitzs order to cease attacks or whether he willfully ignored it. This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. The Allies came into possession of an Fa 330 in May 1944 when they captured the U-852 intact. In 1927, Hawaiian Steamship Company sold her again, this time to C.H. ): U-860 (+1944) propulsion: diesel and batteries date built: You are using an out of date browser. During this time, Roper believed it had another sonar contact, which was likely the U-85 as it sank. Diving U-85is the closest that many of us will come to experiencing what it was like during a World War II naval battle, says NOAA archaeologist Tane Casserley. They then returned to the site and collected 33 survivors, one of which died aboard the Icarus shortly thereafter. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. The visibility and water temperature vary greatly depending upon the dynamic, shifting currents. [3] The U-boat had a total length of 87.58m (287ft 4in), a pressure hull length of 68.50m (224ft 9in), a beam of 7.50m (24ft 7in), a height of 10.20m (33ft 6in), and a draught of 5.35m (17ft 7in). This was part of a NOVA/National Geographic documentary . The drumbeat of the U-boats had grown louder through February and March. On April 10, while off the New Jersey coast, U- 85 found its first target, Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen. On the following day, Greger found a ship sailing alone, British freighter Empire Fusilier, which he fired upon and successfully sank. This month well visit the Caribsea. Significance: U- 352 is significant to American military history, maritime history and historic archaeology as it was the first U-boat sunk by the United States Coast Guard off the American East Coast during World War II's Battle of the Atlantic. Even with the dive briefing fresh in your mind, seeing the U-352 materialize off the bottom, sitting with a 45-degree list to starboard, is an amazing sight. Learn more about U-85 and other World War II shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast here. This time the U-852 left rather than attack the survivors. And with its 88-mm gun pointed toward the surface, U-85 looks like its still looking for Allied vessels to sink. The wreck is home to a variety of marine life, including invasive lionfish. Rathke attempted to carry out at least one attack, but depth charges kept him from being successful. Sprague of Boston. German submarine U-85 was a Type VIIB U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. Rod Mather, University of Rhode Island Applied History Lab. In January, U-352 transferred from Kiel to Bergen, and set out for its first patrol on January 20. To view additional dive slates click here. Believing that U-boats operated in packs, as they did in other regions, Roper did not want to take the chance of being sunk by an additional U-boat. By May 5, 1945, Adolph Hitler had committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin and Grand Admiral Karl Donitz was helping negotiate the terms of the Nazi surrender. This page covers the events related to U-boats since 1945, including boats taken over by the allies after the war and their eventual fate. Image showing the location of the main wreckage of the Black Point relative to a smaller section of the ship's stern, approximately 1,800 feet south. The story of the incident really began on a summer day of March 13, 1944. Many thanks in advance and best regards. On May 9, 1942 it was sunk by the Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. U-85 left for its fourth and final patrol on March 21, 1942. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate Generals Office.The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. U-85 Type VIIB U-boat by NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary on Sketchfab. The crew of the Roper did not suspect much at first, but pursued the contact. The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. As the German sailors attempted to exit the conning tower to man their guns, they came under heavy fire from Ropers crew. This month well visit the E. M. Clark. Rathke spotted Icarus, a 165-foot USCG Cutter, on antisubmarine patrol off Cape Lookout. High-resolution mapping of the site shows the vessel lying keel up on the ocean floor with the bow pointing to the northeast. Image courtesy of Kraken Robotics. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Greger and his men again returned to Lorient unsuccessful. We were pretty sure before, but we had some members go to the National Archives in the UK to find . In 1942 he volunteered for the U-boat force and was accepted for training at Pillau on 8 June 1942. This month well visit the Ashkhabad. U-85 was the third Type VII-B built at Flender Werke in Lbeck and was attached to the Third Flotilla from June 1941 until the time of loss on April 14, 1942. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. (All photos: NOAA), Schools of fish swarm U-85s conning tower with its attack periscope housing still intact. As the crew of U-352 prepared to scuttle, several began emerging from the conning tower preparing to jump overboard. May 2 1944, U-852 beached on Cape Gardefui after attack by RAF aircraft. Roper evaded the torpedo and U-85 turned sharply to starboard when the range closed to 300 yards (270m). He had lived to tell the story which had led to the indictment of the four U-boat officers and a seaman. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It was either the last or second-to-last (probably the latter) German submarine sunk by U.S. forces in World War II, one day before Germany's official surrender in Europe. The U-853 was a type IXC/40 German submarine launched on March 11, 1943, and commissioned June 25 that same year. Eck and his officers were the only Kriegsmarine submariners to be tried for war crimes at the end of World War II in Europe. The Black Point was the last American merchant ship sunk by a German U-boat. [1] She had a total length of 66.50m (218ft 2in), a pressure hull length of 48.80m (160ft 1in), a beam of 6.20m (20ft 4in), a height of 9.50m (31ft 2in), and a draught of 4.74m (15ft 7in). German submarine U-852 was a Type IXD2 U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. They spent several weeks at sea, which were largely uneventful. Group Schlei was to return to France and begin preparing for deployment to U.S. waters. Abrams, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: U-352, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: the Tamaulipas, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: U-701, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: W.E. They dived the wreck to a depth of approximately 12,500 feet (3,800 m) in the MIR submersible from the Russian research ship Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The hearing was known as the Peleus Trial. Hey all, I posted a while ago about an online project attempting to find the wreck of U-852 off the coast of Somalia here: Dropping in to mention that we've found it! U-85 conducted four war patrols with the flotilla, and sank three ships, totalling 15,060gross register tons(GRT). The visibility and water temperature vary widely depending on the dynamic, shifting currents. During this time, Roper believed it had another sonar contact and not wanting to take any chances of another possible U-boat, Roper rode right through the mass of sailors in the water and dropped an additional 11 depth charges. The text is below: As U-852 broke the surface, her gun crews swarmed out and manned the anti-aircraft guns. One survivor managed to escape and was eventually rescued by allied ships. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.[3]. Download image (jpg, 377 KB). He sent out five depth charges from the Y-gun, which damaged U-352 so badly they decided to play dead and lay still on the bottom, hoping to go unnoticed. The dramatic end to U-852. This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was spotted in the Indian Ocean by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. U-85 was operating within visual distance of Bodie Island Light at midnight on 13 April 1942 when the US destroyer USS Roper detected the submarine on British Type 286 radar at a range of 2,700 yards (2,500 m). Aft of the conning tower there is visible battle damage from Ropers 3-inch deck gun. She docked at St. Nazaire on the French Atlantic coast on 18 September. Rathke mistook this for the vessel running off full-speed and gave up chasing Freden. The Peleus Affair. On May 9, U-352 began the engagement that would end in its demise. You can clearly see the shell damage behind the conning tower caused by USSRopers 3-inch gun. Website owner: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | National Ocean Service | NOAA | Department of Commerce. Wreck Site Of the U-boats off North Carolina's coast, U- 352 had the least eventful operational career. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate General's Office.The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. This month, well visit Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Heinz Eck had survivors and wreckage from the Greek steamer Peleus machine-gunned with the intention of erasing all traces of the sinking. The awesome memorial is a must see if you are in the Kiel area (perhaps visiting the U-995). U-85 was the first U-boat loss of "Operation Drumbeat" (Paukenschlag), the offensive off the eastern seaboard of the United States in 1942. Over the course of the battle, eight Allied convoy vessels, 78 merchant freighters and tankers and four German U-boats sank off North Carolinas coast. If so, are there still some parts of U-852 near Somalias coast, that can be found? Shortly before Rathke fired his torpedoes, Icarus got a sonar contact. It was the German U-boat sunk closest to the U.S. mainland. Abrams. [3], The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5km/h; 23.9mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8km/h; 7.9mph). As it turned out, not all the survivors were killed. When Greger realized that U-85 was being tracked, he was in very shallow water; therefore, he evidently decided to try escaping on the surface. [3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224km; 139mi) at 2 knots (3.7km/h; 2.3mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610km; 14,670mi) at 10 knots (19km/h; 12mph). He was keeping with the common practice of navigating in a zig-zag pattern at the time of the submarine attack. Evidently during the process of launching boats, Freden turned the stern towards U-352 so as to present a smaller target. Eck, despite his mission, decided to attack the ship. (Photo: Joe Hoyt, NOAA), Today, U-85 offers habitat to an abundance of marine life, including these oceanic triggerfish. On 13 March while crossing the latitude of Freetown in the Atlantic Ocean, the U-boat spotted the lone Greek steamer Peleus. On June 15 Eck took command of the new Type IXD-852 and put the boat through months of training before leaving from Kiel for the Indian Ocean. Contact Us The U-853, which had earlier in the war fought off an attack from two British Swordfish torpedo bombers and had recently sunk the American patrol craft the PE-56, was now lurking in Rhode Island Sound. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Seven crewmen were lost in the engagement; the remainder fled ashore. Their suspicions came true when the crew witnessed the track of a torpedo narrowly missing the Roper as it ran down the port side. U-852 (+1944) Details general nationality: german purpose: war type: submarine subtype/class: IX D 2 class submarine (ger.) However, before reaching land the U-boat came under attack from six RAF bombers from 621 Squadron. U-852 was enroute to the Indian Ocean to join the Monsoon wolfpack operating there. California 94041. The B-52 crashed upon takeoff after the aircraft's crew saw birds flying at roughly the same height as the airplane's wings, followed by the sensation of a series of "thuds" on the B-52's right side. 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