German submarine U-975

German submarine U-975 was a Type VIIC U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.

She was ordered on 5 June 1941, and was laid down on 10 July 1942 at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg, as yard number 175. She was launched on 24 March 1943 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Joachim Ebersbach on 29 April 1943.

Design
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-975 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-975 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
On 9 May 1945, U-975 surrendered at Horten, Norway. She was later transferred to Lisahally, Northern Ireland on 27 May 1945. Of the 156 U-boats that eventually surrendered to the Allied forces at the end of the war, U-975 was one of 116 selected to take part in Operation Deadlight. U-975 was towed out on 10 February 1946, and sunk by the British frigate HMS Loch Arkaig (K603).

The wreck is located at 55.7°N, -9.01667°W.