U-853

New England Dive Center conducts dive trips to the wrecks of Long Island Sound on a regular basis. One of the most popular of these trips is to the U-853, a German World War II submarine which was sunk just east of Block Island.  

May 5, 1945 : Toward the end of the war,  the U-853 had taken up station patrolling the waters of the Atlantic off the east shore of New England.  Just off Point Judith, Rhode Island, she spotted the S.S. Blackpoint and torpedoed the freighter, sending her to the bottom. This was a mistake, because the sub was in shallow water, with a depth of 130' and there was nowhere to hide.  Ironically, Admiral D��z had ordered his U-Boats to cease their attacks on shipping a day earlier, May 4.  U-853 probably did not have this information. A Yugoslav freighter witnessed the explosions of the Blackpoint and radioed the information to the U.S.C.G.  The Coast Guard and Navy quickly converged on the area with four warships - the USCG Frigate Moberly, the Destroyer Ericsson, and the Destroyer Escorts Atherton and Amick.  Using sonar they quickly located the submerged U-853 some six miles east of Block Island.  Depth charging was commenced, and continued into the night.  At one point,  the white hat of a German U-Boat Captain floated to the surface. At daylight, the navy sent a hard-hat diver down and confirmed the destruction of the U-853. All 55 hands were lost, entombed in the boat.

Today, the U-Boat is in remarkably good condition.  She lies upright, and mostly intact.  There are two blast holes through which a diver can enter the sub, and numerous hatches and torpedo loading openings which also allow access, although these require a more cautious entry.  One of the blast holes is just forward of the conning tower, on the main deck. Entering this hole puts the diver in the officer's quarters, and from there into the control room and the radio room. There is another large blast hole at the stern of the boat, which also allows access to the interior. The conning tower still looms above the boat, and may be the first thing a diver sees. The attack periscope is enclosed in stainless steel, and is in very good shape. There is a round hatch in the conning tower which can be entered, carefully. The forward torpedo tubes are visible, one still loaded with a torpedo.  Looking into some of the open hatches, divers can see much of the inner workings of the sub, and in several areas, the mortal remains of the crew are visible.                 NOTE: It should be understood that the U-853 is considered a war grave by both Germany and the United States, and it has not been "abandoned" by the German Government.  Divers should exercise care not to disturb the remains of the crew.  We do not want to lose the opportunity to experience diving on the site. Please afford these remains the same respect due the war dead of any nation.   

For extensive information on the U-Boat fleet, its officers and men, and its history, visit: U-Boat Net