German submarine U-1059

German submarine U-1059 was a Type VIIF transport submarine of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

U-1059 was one of four Type VIIF torpedo transport submarines, which could carry 40 torpedoes, and were used to re-supply other U-boats at sea. U-1059 commissioned on 1 May 1943, first served with 5th U-boat Flotilla for training, and later served with 12th U-boat Flotilla from 1 January 1944 until 19 March 1944. U-1059 completed one torpedo transport patrol.

Design
As one of the four German Type VIIF submarines, U-1059 had a displacement of 1084 t when at the surface and 1181 t while submerged. She had a total length of 77.63 m, a pressure hull length of 60.40 m, a beam of 7.30 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.91 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 supercharged four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8-276 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 shp for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 16.9 - 17.6 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.9 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 75 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 14700 nmi at 10 kn. U-1059 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and various anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a normal complement of about forty-six.

Service history
While transporting torpedoes to Monsun Gruppe U-boats operating in the Far East, U-1059 was sunk on 19 March 1944 at 13.16667°N, -33.73333°W, southwest of the Cape Verde Islands by Grumman TBF Avengers and Grumman F4F Wildcats from the escort carrier USS Block Island (CVE-21). Reports from the USS Corry (DD-463) are that initially there were 20 survivors, but because there were reports of a second U-boat in the area, the Corry was forced to stay away. Of U-1059’s crew, 47 were killed and 8 survived the attack. The survivors were taken to Boston for medical attention.