View source for German submarine U-162 (1941)

{{Short description|German World War II submarine}}
{{other ships|German submarine U-162}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=U-505chicago.jpg
|Ship image size=300px
|Ship caption=''U-505'', a typical Type IXC boat
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[Nazi Germany]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Nazi Germany|naval}}
|Ship name=''U-162''
|Ship ordered=25 September 1939
|Ship builder=[[DeSchiMAG]], [[Bremen]]
|Ship yard number=701
|Ship laid down =19 April 1940
|Ship launched=1 March 1941
|Ship commissioned=9 September 1941
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship badge=[[File:U-162 Emblem.svg|100px|''U-162''{{'}}s emblem]]
|Ship fate=Sunk on 3 September 1942 in the mid-Atlantic north-east of [[Trinidad]], by depth charges from British warships; two dead and 49 survivors.<ref name=U-162>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/u162.htm
 |title=The Type IXC boat U-162
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=21 February 2010
}}</ref>
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=[[German Type IX submarine#Type IXC|Type IXC]] [[submarine]]
|Ship displacement=
*{{convert|1120|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} surfaced
*{{convert|1232|t|LT|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship length=
*{{convert|76.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[o/a]]
*{{convert|58.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[pressure hull]]
|Ship beam=
*{{convert|6.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} o/a
*{{convert|4.40|m|ftin|abbr=on}} pressure hull
|Ship height={{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=
*{{convert|4400|PS|kW bhp|abbr=on}} (diesels)
*{{convert|1000|PS|kW shp|-1|abbr=on}} (electric)
|Ship propulsion=
*2 shafts
*2 × [[diesel engine]]s
*2 × [[Motor-generator|electric motors]]
|Ship speed=
*{{convert|18.3|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|7.3|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=
*{{convert|13450|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|10|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|64|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|4|kn}} submerged
|Ship test depth=
*{{convert|230|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=4 officers, 44 enlisted
|Ship armament=
*6 × [[torpedo tube]]s (4 bow, 2 stern)
*22 × {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo]]es
*1 × [[10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun|{{convert|10.5|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/32]] [[deck gun]] (180 rounds)
*1 × [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/30]] AA gun
*1 × twin [[2 cm FlaK 30]] AA guns
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|is_multi=yes
|label=Service record
|partof=
*[[4th U-boat Flotilla]]
*9 September 1941 – 31 January 1942
*[[2nd U-boat Flotilla]]
*1 February – 3 September 1942
|codes=M 01 524
|commanders=
*''[[F.Kapt.]]'' [[Jürgen Wattenberg]]
*9 September 1941 – 3 September 1942<ref name=U-162/>
|operations=*3 patrols:
*1st patrol:
*7 February – 18 March 1942 
*2nd patrol:
*7 April – 8 June 1942
*3rd patrol:
*7 July – 3 September 1942
|victories=*14 merchant ships sunk <br />({{GRT|82,027}})<ref name=U-162 />
}}
|}

'''German submarine ''U-162''''' was a [[German Type IX submarine#Type IXC|Type IXC]] [[U-boat]] of [[Nazi Germany]]'s ''[[Kriegsmarine]]'' during [[World War II]].

She was ordered on 25 September 1939 and was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 19 April 1940 at [[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG]], at Seebeck Yard in [[Bremerhaven]], Germany,<ref name=Yard>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/technical/shipyards/seebeck.htm
 |title=Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG, Bremen
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=14 March 2010
}}</ref> as yard number 701.<ref name=U-162/> She was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 1 March 1941 and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] under the command of ''[[Korvettenkapitän]]'' [[Jürgen Wattenberg]] on 9 September of that year.<ref name=U-162 />

During three war patrols, ''U-162'' sank 14 vessels. However, on 3 September 1942, three British destroyers hunted ''U-162'' down and sank her. Of a crew of fifty-one, only two died. The remainder were taken prisoner and sent to [[Prisoner of war|camps]] in the United States, where they were to remain for the rest of the war.<ref name=Archive2/>

==Design==
[[German Type IX submarine#Type IXC|German Type IXC submarines]] were slightly larger than the original [[German Type IXB submarine|Type IXB]]s. ''U-162'' had a displacement of {{convert|1120|t|LT}} when at the surface and {{convert|1232|t|LT}} while submerged.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}} The U-boat had a total length of {{convert|76.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[pressure hull]] length of {{convert|58.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|6.76|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, a height of {{convert|9.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}, and a [[draught (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|4.70|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The submarine was powered by two [[MAN SE|MAN]] M 9 V 40/46 [[supercharged]] four-stroke, nine-cylinder [[diesel engine]]s producing a total of {{convert|4400|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while surfaced, two [[Siemens-Schuckert]] 2 GU 345/34 [[Motor–generator|double-acting electric motors]] producing a total of {{convert|1000|PS|kW shp|-1}} for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two {{convert|1.92|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} [[propeller]]s. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to {{convert|230|m}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}}

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of {{convert|18.3|kn}} and a maximum submerged speed of {{convert|7.3|kn}}.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}} When submerged, the boat could operate for {{convert|63|nmi}} at {{convert|4|kn}}; when surfaced, she could travel {{convert|13450|nmi}} at {{convert|10|kn}}. ''U-162'' was fitted with six {{convert|53.3|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (four fitted at the bow and two at the stern), 22 [[torpedo]]es, one [[10.5 cm SK C/32 naval gun|{{convert|10.5|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} SK C/32 naval gun]], 180 rounds, and a [[3.7 cm SK C/30|{{convert|3.7|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} SK C/30]] as well as a [[2 cm FlaK 30|{{convert|2|cm|in|sp=us|abbr=on}} C/30]] anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of forty-eight.{{sfn|Gröner|1991|p=68}}

==Service history==

===First patrol===
Following training exercises with the [[4th U-boat Flotilla]] from 9 September 1941 to 31 January 1942, ''U-162'' began her first war patrol as the lead boat of the [[2nd U-boat Flotilla]] on 1 February 1942.<ref name=U-162 /> She left her home port of [[Kiel]] on 7 February and ventured into the [[North Sea]] without stopping in [[occupied Norway]].<ref name=Archive2/> During 40 days at sea, ''U-162'' sailed north of the [[British Isles]] and entered the [[North Atlantic]], where she sank her first vessel, ''White Crest'', on 24 February 1942.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_3989.html
 |title=Patrol info for U-162 (first patrol)
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=27 February 2010
}}</ref>

===Second patrol===
''U-162'' returned to sea on 7 April 1942. For this patrol, she cruised south into the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the northern coast of South America. During her 63 days at sea, ''U-162'' sank nine ships: ''Athelempress'', ''Parnahyba'', ''[[Eastern Sword]]'', ''Florence M. Douglas'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 Oct 2018|title=The Sinking of the Florence M. Douglas and the story of Douglas the Barbadian who joined the German Navy in WW2|url=https://www.bajanthings.com/sinking-of-the-florence-m-douglas-and-douglas-the-barbadian-who-joined-the-kriegsmarine-in-ww2/|access-date=22 Feb 2021|website=www.bajanthings.com}}</ref> ''Frank Seamans'', ''Mont Louis'', ''Esso Houston'', ''British Colony'' and ''Beth''. Following these victories, ''U-162'' returned to her new home port of [[Lorient]] on 8 June 1942.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_3990.html
 |title=Patrol info for U-162 (second patrol)
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=27 February 2010
}}</ref>

===Third patrol and sinking===
''U-162''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s third and final sortie began on 7 July 1942, when she left Lorient for the last time. Much like her second foray, ''U-162'' spent her third patrol in the Caribbean Sea and off the coast of South America. From 19 to 30 August, she sank four more vessels: ''West Celina'', ''Moena'', ''Thelma'' and {{SS|Star of Oregon||2}}.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/patrols/patrol_3991.html
 |title=Patrol info for U-162 (third patrol)
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=27 February 2010
}}</ref> Nonetheless, just four days after sinking ''Star of Oregon'', she was detected northeast of [[Trinidad]]. Three British destroyers, {{HMS|Vimy||6}}, {{HMS|Pathfinder|G10|2}} and {{HMS|Quentin|G78|2}}, attacked and sank ''U-162'' with [[depth charge]]s. Two crewmen were killed, while 49 others survived.<ref name=U-162 />

Following the sinking of ''U-162'', the surviving crew members were picked up by the three destroyers and sent to the United States where they gave US interrogators information about ''U-162''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> history, including where and when she was laid down, how many ships she sank and details about her home port and the design and layout of submarines that were in her class.<ref name="Archive2">{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/men/wattenberg.htm
 |title=Jürgen Wattenberg
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=28 February 2010
}}</ref>

===Summary of raiding history===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
!Date !! Name !! Nationality !! Tonnage<br />([[Gross register tonnage|GRT]]) !! Fate<ref name=Archive2/><ref>{{cite web
 |title=Ships hit by U-162
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/successes/u162.html 
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=28 February 2010
}}</ref>
|-
|align="right"|24 February 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in February 1942#24 February|''White Crest'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|4,365
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|30 April 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in April 1942#30 April|''Athelempress'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|8,941
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|1 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#1 May|''Parnahyba'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Brazil|1889}}
|align="right"|6,692
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|4 May 1942
|align="left" |''[[Eastern Sword]]''
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|3,785
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|4 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#4 May|''Florence M. Douglas'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|119
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|7 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#7 May|''Frank Seamans'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|4,271
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|9 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#9 May|''Mont Louis'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Canada|1921}}
|align="right"|1,905
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|13 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#13 May|''Esso Houston'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|7,699
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|14 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#14 May|''British Colony'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}
|align="right"|6,917
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|18 May 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in May 1942#18 May|''Beth'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|6,852
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|19 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#19 August|''West Celina'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|5,722
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|24 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#24 August|''Moena'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Netherlands}}
|align="right"|9,286
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|26 August 1942
|align="left" |[[List of shipwrecks in August 1942#26 August|''Thelma'']]
|align="left" |{{flag|Norway}}
|align="right"|8,297
|align="left" |Sunk
|-
|align="right"|30 August 1942
|align="left" |{{SS|Star of Oregon||2}}
|align="left" |{{flag|United States|1912}}
|align="right"|7,176
|align="left" |Sunk
|}

==See also==
* [[Battle of the Atlantic]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book | last1 = Busch | first1 = Rainer | last2 = Röll | first2 = Hans-Joachim | translator-last = Brooks | translator-first = Geoffrey | title = German U-boat commanders of World War II : a biographical dictionary | publisher = Greenhill Books, Naval Institute Press | location = London, Annapolis, Md | year = 1999 | isbn = 1-55750-186-6 }}
*{{cite book
|last1=Busch
|first1=Rainer
|last2=Röll
|first2=Hans-Joachim
|title=Deutsche U-Boot-Verluste von September 1939 bis Mai 1945
|trans-title=German U-boat losses from September 1939 to May 1945
|series=Der U-Boot-Krieg
|volume=IV
|publisher=Mittler
|location=Hamburg, Berlin, Bonn
|year=1999
|isbn=3-8132-0514-2
|language=de

}}
*{{cite book
|last1=Gröner
|first1=Erich
|last2=Jung
|first2=Dieter
|last3=Maass
|first3=Martin
|translator-last1=Thomas
|translator-first1=Keith
|translator-last2=Magowan
|translator-first2=Rachel
|year=1991
|title=U-boats and Mine Warfare Vessels
|volume=2
|series=German Warships 1815–1945
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=0-85177-593-4
|ref=CITEREFGröner1991
}}

{{Refend}}

==External links==
*{{cite web
 |url=http://uboat.net/boats/u162.htm
 |title=The Type IXC boat U-162
 |last=Helgason
 |first=Guðmundur
 |website=German U-boats of WWII - uboat.net
 |access-date=31 January 2015
}}
*{{cite web
|url=http://www.u-boot-archiv.de/dieboote/u0162.html
|title=''U 162''
|last=Hofmann
|first=Markus
|website=Deutsche U-Boote 1935-1945 - u-boot-archiv.de
|language=de
|access-date=31 January 2015
}}

{{German Type IXC submarines}}
{{September 1942 shipwrecks}}

{{coord|12|21|N|59|29|W|region:XA_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}}

{{Good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:U0162}}
[[Category:German Type IX submarines]]
[[Category:U-boats commissioned in 1941]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk in 1942]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Germany]]
[[Category:1941 ships]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Caribbean Sea]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bremen (state)]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by depth charges]]
[[Category:U-boats sunk by British warships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in September 1942]]