German submarine U-490

German submarine U-490 was a Type XIV supply and replenishment U-boat ("Milchkuh") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

Her keel was laid down on 21 February 1942, by Germaniawerft of Kiel as yard number 559. She was launched on 24 December 1942 and commissioned on 27 March 1943, with Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Gerlach in command. He remained in command throughout the boat's short career.

The U-boat's service life commenced with the 4th U-boat Flotilla from 27 March 1943 until 31 March 1944 for training. She then served, for operations, with the 12th flotilla.

Design
German Type XIV submarines were shortened versions of the Type IXDs they were based on. U-490 had a displacement of 1688 t when at the surface and 1932 t while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 48.51 m, a beam of 9.35 m, a height of 11.70 m, and a draught of 6.51 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft supercharged four-stroke, six-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of 2800 - 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/38-8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 240 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 14.4 - 14.9 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 6.2 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 120 nmi at 2 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 12350 nmi at 10 kn. U-490 was not fitted with torpedo tubes or deck guns, but had two 3.7 cm SK C/30 anti-aircraft guns with 2500 rounds as well as a 2 cm C/30 guns with 3000 rounds. The boat had a complement of fifty-three.

Operational career
U-490's only patrol began with her departure from Kiel on 4 May 1944. She headed for the Atlantic by way of the so-called Faeroes Gap between Iceland and the Faeroe Islands, north of the British Isles.

Although as a supply boat, she avoided combat, she was lost on her first patrol when on 12 June, she was attacked in mid-ocean by the escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25) and the destroyers USS Frost (DE-144), USS Huse (DE-145) and USS Inch (DE-146). There were 60 survivors (no casualties).