Wreckhunter.net

Hunting New England Shipwrecks

U-853

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 u-boat1.JPG (34809 bytes)

u853-nyt-15may1945.jpg (279418 bytes)

World War II U-boat
surfaced in rough seas
(Author's collection)

 New York Times report
on sinking of U-853
(Author's collection)

853-plate2.JPG (21157 bytes)

u853-torphatch-lee79.jpg (23353 bytes)

Back of dinner plate
from U-853
(photo by author)

Diver by torpedo
loading hatch on U-853
(Jim Lee deepscape.com)

u-853_surface.jpg (60777 bytes)

u853-unknown-sailor-stanford.JPG (99260 bytes)

U-853 surfaced in port

Grave of an unknown German sailor - Newport, RI
(John Stanford photo)

For more information on U-boats, see the uboats.net Web site and our photo gallery called Submarines.

The table below provides historical and statistical data on the vessel. Some of the information may be incomplete. If you have additions or corrections, please e-mail us at the address listed below.

Shipwreck Data
Vessel Name U-853
Other Names  
Vessel Type German Submarine (Type IX-C)
Owner German Navy
Length / Beam / Draft (feet) 232' / 22' / 15'
Tonnage 740
Hull Construction Steel
Propulsion Diesel / Electric / Screw
Cargo  
Built 1942 at Bremen, Germany
Date of Loss May 5, 1945
Reason for Loss Depth charged by U. S. Navy
Fatalities Approximately 60 (all hands)
Location 7 miles east of Clay Head, Block Island, RI
Coordinates (Lat/Lon) 41-13-48 N / 71-24-12 W
Coordinates (Loran C)  
Water Depth (feet) 130'
Typical Visibility (feet) 10 - 40'
Wreck Condition Mostly intact and upright
Diving Considerations  
Other Information For more information on the U-853, see the U.S. Coast Guard's U-853 data page. And for more information on U-boats in New England waters, see our page called U-Boat Facts and Legends.
Attention Divers
The information on this page was obtained from a variety of sources. Although we have attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it may contain errors.  For your personal safety, use extreme caution when diving on this wreck.

For more information on this wreck's location and history, and water and diving conditions in the area, contact local dive shop personnel, dive charter boat operators and local fishermen. Also check out the other shipwreck Websites listed on our Favorite Links page.

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