German submarine U-774

German submarine U-774 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 21 November 1940, and was laid down on 17 December 1942 at Kriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven, as yard number 157. She was launched on 23 December 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Johann Buttjer on 17 February 1944.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-774 had a displacement of 769 t when at the surface and 871 t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m, a pressure hull length of 50.50 m, a beam of 6.20 m, a height of 9.60 m, and a draught of 4.74 m. The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2800 to 3200 PS for use while surfaced, two Garbe, Lahmeyer & Co. RP 137/c double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23 m propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 m.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 17.7 kn and a maximum submerged speed of 7.6 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate for 80 nmi at 4 kn; when surfaced, she could travel 8500 nmi at 10 kn. U-774 was fitted with five 53.3 cm torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes or 26 TMA mines, one 8.8 cm SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and an anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between 44 — 52 men.

Service history
U-774 participated in one war patrol that yielded no ships sunk or damaged.

On 8 April 1945, U-774 was sunk by depth charges, 26 days into her first, and only, patrol, after being attacked by British frigates HMS Calder (K349) and HMS Bentinck (K314). Kptlt. Werner Sausmikat and all 43 crewmen were lost.

The wreck now lies at 49.96667°N, -11.85°W.