German submarine U-490

Coordinates: 42°47′N 40°08′W / 42.783°N 40.133°W / 42.783; -40.133
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
History
Nazi Germany
NameU-490
Ordered17 July 1941
Builder
Germaniawerft, Kiel
Yard number559
Laid down21 February 1942
Launched24 December 1942
Commissioned27 March 1943
FateSunk on 12 June 1944[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeType XIV ocean-going submarine tanker
Displacement
  • 1,688 t (1,661 long tons) surfaced
  • 1,932 t (1,901 long tons) submerged
Length
  • 67.10 
    o/a
  • 48.51 m (159 ft 2 in)
    pressure hull
Beam
  • 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in) o/a
  • 4.90 m (16 ft 1 in) pressure hull
Height11.70 m (38 ft 5 in)
Draught6.51 m (21 ft 4 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
  • 14.4–14.9 knots (26.7–27.6 km/h; 16.6–17.1 mph) surfaced
  • 6.2 knots (11.5 km/h; 7.1 mph) submerged
Range
  • 12,350 nmi (22,870 km; 14,210 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
  • 55 nmi (102 km; 63 mi) at 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph) submerged
Test depth240 m (790 ft)
Complement6 officers and 47 enlisted
Armament
  • 2 ×
    anti-aircraft guns
  • 1 ×
    2 cm (0.79 in) C/30
    AA gun
Service record[2][3]
Part of:
Identification codes: M 51 045
Commanders:
  • Oblt.z.S.
     Wilhelm Gerlach
  • 27 March 1943 – 12 June 1944
Operations:
  • 1st patrol:
  • 4 May – 12 June 1944
Victories: None

German submarine U-490 was a

Type XIV supply and replenishment U-boat ("Milchkuh") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II
.

Her keel was

Germaniawerft of Kiel as yard number 559. She was launched on 24 December 1942 and commissioned on 27 March 1943, with Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Gerlach in command. He remained in command throughout the boat's short career.[2]

The U-boat's service life commenced with the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 27 March 1943 until 31 March 1944 for training. She then served, for operations, with the 12th flotilla.

Design

supercharged four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2,800–3,200 metric horsepower (2,060–2,350 kW; 2,760–3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 240 metres (790 ft).[4]

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.4–14.9 knots (26.7–27.6 km/h; 16.6–17.1 mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.2 knots (11.5 km/h; 7.1 mph).

2 cm (0.79 in) C/30 guns with 3000 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-three.[4]

Operational career

U-490's only patrol began with her departure from Kiel on 4 May 1944. She headed for the Atlantic by way of the so-called

Faeroe Islands, north of the British Isles
.

Although as a supply boat, she avoided combat, she was lost on her first patrol when on 12 June, she was attacked in mid-ocean by the escort carrier USS Croatan and the destroyers Frost, Huse and Inch. There were 60 survivors (no casualties).[2]

References

  1. ^ Kemp 1999, p. 196.
  2. ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur. "The Type XIV boat U-490". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  3. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur. "War Patrols by German U-boat U-490". German U-boats of WWII – uboat.net. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d Gröner 1991, p. 79.

Bibliography

External links

42°47′N 40°08′W / 42.783°N 40.133°W / 42.783; -40.133

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