German submarine U-858

German submarine U-858 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 5 June 1941, laid down on 11 December 1942 and launched on 17 June 1943. She had one commander for her two patrols, Kapitänleutnant Thilo Bode.

Design

German Type IXC/40 submarines were slightly larger than the original Type IXCs. U-858 had a displacement of when at the surface and while submerged. The U-boat had a total length of, a pressure hull length of, a beam of, a height of, and a draught of. The submarine was powered by two MAN M 9 V 40/46 supercharged four-stroke, nine-cylinder diesel engines producing a total of for use while surfaced, two Siemens-Schuckert 2 GU 345/34 double-acting electric motors producing a total of for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to.
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of. When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at. U-858 was fitted with six torpedo tubes, 22 torpedoes, one SK C/32 naval gun, 180 rounds, and a Flak M42 as well as two twin C/30 anti-aircraft guns. The boat had a complement of forty-eight.

She was sent by Germany at the end of the war to cause havoc along the East Coast of the US, in an attempt to repeat the success of Operation Drumbeat. However, she saw no combat in that mission and did not sink or damage any allied ships during the war. Her captain surrendered her on 14 May 1945 at Fort Miles, Lewes, Delaware. U-858 was the first enemy ship to surrender to the United States forces following the defeat of Germany in World War II. After surrendering, she was used for publicity in War bond drives.
After being used for torpedo practice near the New England area, she was scuttled by the US Navy on 21 November 1947.