U-853
Submarine · Germany · Lost 1945 · Long Island & the New York Approaches
A German U-boat sunk with all hands by U.S. Navy and Coast Guard warships off Point Judith in one of the final actions of the Battle of the Atlantic, days before Germany's surrender.
The Vessel and Her Loss
U-853 torpedoed the American collier SS Black Point off Point Judith on May 5, 1945, days after Germany's formal surrender in Europe had been signed. American destroyers, destroyer escorts, a frigate, and Navy blimps converged on the submarine's position and, after an extended depth-charge and hedgehog attack through the night and following morning, sank U-853 with the loss of her entire 55-man crew on May 6, 1945. The engagement, known as the Battle of Point Judith, was one of the last actions of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Vessel
- 1943
- Not established
- Not established
- Steel
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Diesel-electric
- Kriegsmarine
Loss
- May 6, 1945
- Enemy action
- Off Point Judith, Rhode Island, near the eastern approach to Block Island Sound
- Rhode Island Sound
- Not established
- Not established
- 55
- 55
- Oberleutnant zur See Helmut Froemsdorf
The Wreck Today
- 130 ft
- Largely intact on the seabed
- Not established
- Not established
- Considered a war grave by U.S. Navy convention
Position
- 41.35° N 71.47° W
- Approximate position
- Point Judith, Rhode Island
Position corresponds to the widely published location of the Battle of Point Judith engagement.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (92/100)
Naval History and Heritage Command
Date, location, sinking narrative.
U-boat Archive, TG 60.7 official action report
Task force composition and attack sequence.
Wikipedia: Battle of Point Judith
Casualty figures and vessel list.
