German submarine U-374

German submarine U-374 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 23 September 1939. Her keel was laid down by Howaldtswerke in Kiel on 18 December 1939, she was launched on 10 May 1941 and formally commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on 21 June 1941 under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Unno von Fischel.

U-374 had a short career, carrying out three patrols. During these she sank one merchant ship, the British Rose Schiaffino and two auxiliary warships, the naval trawler HMS Lady Shirley and naval yacht HMY Rosabelle.

U-374 was sunk on 12 January 1942 in the western Mediterranean east of Cape Spartivento, in position 37.83333°N, 16°W, by torpedoes from the British submarine HMS Unbeaten (N93). 42 of her crew were killed; there was one survivor.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-374 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS 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 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-374 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 a 2 cm C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.

First patrol
29 September 1941 (Kiel) – 11 November 1941 (Brest)

Second patrol
6 December 1941 (Brest) – 14 December 1941 (La Spezia)

Third patrol
18 December 1941 (La Spezia) – 12 January 1942 (sunk)

Wolfpacks
U-374 took part in one wolfpack, namely:
 * Mordbrenner (16 October – 2 November 1941)