Forums » Wreck Dives

• Mike OBrien

  

  • 90 posts
  October 28, 2010 2:48:25 PM EDT

  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

  Water Depth (130 feet)

   

  This wreck was the last German U-boat sunk in American waters. On May 4th, Grand Admiral Donitz ordered a cease fire for all U-boats. The U-853 never acknowledged receipt this order. On the afternoon of May 5th, the U-853 torpedoed and sank the small collier Black Point. The Navy responded by sending the Destroyer Escort Atherton and the Coast Guard Frigate Moberly to hunt down the U-853. The U-boat's luck had just run out. Throughout the night and into the morning the U-boat was hunted and depth charged. At 10:45 am May 6th, the group commander McCune declared the U-boat had been sunk and was lying on the bottom. The German government considers the U-853 a war grave so please keep this in mind when diving it. Penetrating the wreck is not necessary to make this a memorable one. Although penetration into this wreck is possible care must be taken not to stir up the silt and should only be done by the very experienced diver. 

  This post was edited by Mike OBrien at October 28, 2010 2:48:25 PM EDT"

  
• Kenneth Roop

  

  • 43 posts
  April 28, 2011 7:09:59 AM EDT

  Thanks for posting this Mike. What surface and subsurface water temperatures can be expected, and are there any charters boats there that will take divers to the site?
• Mike OBrien

  

  • 90 posts
  April 28, 2011 9:39:27 AM EDT

  Newport Dive Center

  
  

   

  
  

  http://www.newportdivingcenter.com/charters/u853.htm

  
  

   

  
  

  Cost: $150.00 - Bubble watchers $150.00
  Place: U-853 / This is a 2 tank dive
  Certification Required: Advanced Open water or Deep Diver Specialty
  Date: TBA - Weather and seas permitting
  Date: TBA - Weather and seas permitting
  Pick up time: 8:30
  Pick up at: Fort Adams Pier
  Boat Name: 
  Boat Captain: 
  Dive Master: 
  
  Seats Left: 6 of 6 - TBA - updated every 24 hours
  Seats Left: 6 of 6 - TBA - updated every 24 hours
  
  NOTE: This is a 2 tank dive rated as a intermediate to advanced dive
  The U-853 Dive requires a pony bottle for this dive. 
  
  Information on Dive Sites:
  
  U-853
  German U-Boat sunk of Rhode Island shores May 6th, 1945. Now resting in 135 feet of water at the bottom, the conning tower is at 100 feet. This is a Deep Dive and requires a Pony Bottle for this dive. If you are diving Nitrox a 30 mix is suggested. If you are using doubles you will not be permitted another tank of set of tanks for the second dive

• Kenneth Roop

  

  • 43 posts
  April 28, 2011 4:19:23 PM EDT

  Thanks Mike for the information! I'll check out the website.
• Kenneth Roop

  

  • 43 posts
  May 14, 2011 11:29:00 AM EDT

  I spoke to my primary dive partner who has lots of experience diving up there in the cold water. He even cuts holes in the Ice sometimes. I don't do that, he said water temperatures on the submarine were in the low 40s. That is too cold for me as I dive wet. The coldest water I dive in is about 50 degrees F.
• Ric Bishop

  

  • 85 posts
  October 25, 2011 7:21:47 PM EDT

  This is still one of my favorite dives. I have some picture of the deck and torpedo tube . I will try dig them up.