First U-Boat kill for US Navy

14th April 1942: The second 'Happy Time' for U-Boats operating off the East coast of America begins to draw to a close as US Navy intensify operations

The U.S. Navy Wickes class destroyer USS Roper (DD-147) escorting a convoy, out of Hampton Roads, Virginia (USA) in 1942. Ships of the convoy are visible on the horizon. Roper is wearing Measure 12 (Modified) camouflage.

German U-Boats had been creating havoc on the east coast of the USA where they preyed on unescorted merchant vessels in regular shipping lanes. Gradually the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard were introducing a range of deterrent measures including convoys.

The USS Roper, launched in 1918.

Just after midnight on the night of the 13th/14th April off the coast of North Carolina the destroyer USS Roper picked up a fast moving surface vessel on its radar, first thinking it was a small Coast Guard craft. As they closed in the enemy appeared and was dealt with ruthlessly¹:

When the distance had been reduced to 300 yards the vessel cut sharply to starboard. At this instant, using the 24" searchlight, she was finally identified as a large submarine. A camouflage preponderantly light in color was noted. The submarine continued to turn to starboard inside the turning circle of this ship. The searchlight was held on the submarine, and fire was opened first with the machine gun battery and then with the 3" battery.

The machine guns, particularly #1, cut down the submarine personnel rushing to man their gun. A direct hit in the conning tower near the water line was made by #5 - 3" gun as the submarine commenced to sink. Orders were given to fire a torpedo at the submarine, but she disappeared before it was fired. The submarine apparently was scuttled inasmuch as she settled slowly and went down stern first. About forty of her crew were on deck and soon sighted in the water.

‘A barrage of eleven depth charges was laid by use of racks, Y-guns, and K-guns, based on an eye estimate of the submarine's location plus an excellent sound contact.’

A barrage of eleven depth charges was laid by use of racks, Y-guns, and K-guns, based on an eye estimate of the submarine's location plus an excellent sound contact. The bearing of the submarine remained almost constant and the speed was negligible. Wreckage could not be detected because of the darkness. On two occasions this ship passed near the survivors, but the fact that German submarines frequently work in pairs made the conduct of any rescue work before daylight far too dangerous to risk.

Search in the general area was continued until daybreak. At that time the PBY plane commanded by Lieutenant C.V. Horrigan, U.S.N.R., cooperated in an intensive sight search. Suspicious oil slicks and bits of debris were investigated. The plane dropped one charge and this ship dropped two.

At 0706, by means of smoke floats dropped from two planes which appeared on the scene, the attention of this ship was called to bodies in the water. At 0717 this vessel placed the first of two lifeboats in the water in charge of an officer, and commenced recovering bodies and floating articles.

United States Navy Airship on convoy duty in the Western Atlantic during World War II. Note flag flying from the blimp's stern.

At 0727 an airship was observed approaching. She was asked to circle the ship as a protection against submarines while the boats were in the water. This she did. Communication by flashing light was made without difficulty, and on one occasion the airship idled her motors and communicated by megaphone. A maximum of seven planes of various types appeared on the scene at one time. Near the end of the recovery operation a British trawler stood over and was asked to watch for submarines.

Aviation machinist's mates work on the starboard engine of a VP-31 Consolidated PBY-5A "Catalina" patrol bomber at an East Coast naval air station, circa 1942. Note radar antennas under the plane's wing.

Somewhat controversially there were no survivors from the U-Boat and 29 bodies were recovered later. The reasons for continuing with the depth charging with men in the water were made clear in the report.

29 sailors from U-85 were buried Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia, with military honors, the evening of April 15, 1942. Fifty-two prisoners from Fort Monroe, Virginia prepared and later filled in the graves. At 2000, the burial service was read by the Catholic Chaplin, followed by the Protestant Chaplin. The firing party of 24 seamen fired three volleys, and Taps was sounded.

Commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Hamilton W. Howe received the Navy Cross for the engagement.

‘Lieutenant Commander Howe with an offensive singleness of purpose tracked, attacked and completely destroyed the German U-85 off the Coast of Virginia, without injury to his vessel or its personnel. ‘

1. From the Action Report submitted by the Executive Officer of the USS Roper, the full original is available on U Boat Archive.