U-743 Wreck

Field Value
U-743 Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		55 37.799 N,7 25.922 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 55.629990
  • Longitude: -7.432030
Name U-743
Type submarine
Original Source Brady et. al. 2012, 151; Miller 2000, 27; Moller & Brack 2004, 73; Rossler 1981, 54-5; Wynn 1997, Vol. ii, 145; www.uboat.net
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 55 37.799 N,7 25.922 W
U-743 on Wreck Map U-743 Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W18575, Place of Loss: Inishtrahull, Co. Donegal, 25km NW of, Source of Coordinate: GSI Weck Data, Description: The submarine U-743 was one of 577 Type VIIC German submarines commissioned and one of the most commonly built U-boats during World War II. It weighed 761 tons on the surface, measured 67m long and could carry a crew of up to 44 men. It was capable of 17 knots on the surface, powered by2,800–3,200 horsepower engines, and had a range of 6,500 nautical miles if travelling on the surface at 12 knots. It could reach a maximum depth of 200m and could carry both mines and torpedoes. It was built by Schichau of Danzig, launched in March 1943 and was commissioned into service in May of the same year. It initially carried out equipment tests in the Baltic Sea in August 1943 before entering full service. It was commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Helmut Kandzior and carried out two patrols during its service, but neither sank nor damaged any vessel during its war career. The first patrol was off Norway, from June to August 1944, where it unsuccessfully engaged a Liberator aircraft of the 86th Squadron. The submarine's second patrol was to the west of the Hebrides, in August 1944, where it is now known to have been lost off the north coast of Donegal some time in the last days of September. The exact cause of loss is unknown, but all 50 crew on board were presumed dead. In July 2001 the wreck of U-743 was identified by divers of the Operation Deadlight Expedition, led by Innes McCartney. The wreck of the U-743 measures 58m in length, 7.5m in width and 4.7m in maximum height, with an average height of 2.1m. The submarine is orientated NE–SW on the seafloor. In contrast to most of the other U-boat wrecks in the area, this Type VII was a war loss. The wreck is essentially intact, but the attack periscope has been bent right over, with the lens buried in the seabed, and the schnorchel has been broken off at the height of the conning tower, with its base still upright and located in its collar on the conning tower. The fact that all hatches on the wreck are closed would suggest that it was schorcheling when it was sunk, possibly due to a collision with an unknown vessel.

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FAQ

Where is the U-743 wreck located?

The U-743 wreck is located at coordinates 55 37.799 N,7 25.922 W.

What type of wreck is the U-743?

The U-743 is classified as a submarine.

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