German submarine U-4712

German submarine U-4712 was a Type XXIII U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 7 July 1944, and was laid down on 3 January 1945 at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft AG, Kiel, as yard number 954. She was launched on 1 March 1945 and commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Heinz Rohlfing on 3 April 1945.

Design
Like all Type XXIII U-boats, U-4712 had a displacement of 232 t when at the surface and 256 t while submerged. She had a total length of 34.14 m (o/a), a beam width of 3.02 m (o/a), and a draught depth of 3.66 m. The submarine was powered by one MWM six-cylinder RS134S diesel engine providing 575 PS, one AEG GU4463-8 double-acting electric motor electric motor providing 572 PS, and one BBC silent running CCR188 electric motor providing 35 PS.

The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 9.7 kn and a submerged speed of 12.5 kn. When submerged, the boat could operate at 4 kn for 202 nmi; when surfaced, she could travel 2600 nmi at 8 kn. U-4712 was fitted with two 53.3 cm torpedo tubes in the bow. She could carry two preloaded torpedoes. The complement was 14 — 18 men. This class of U-boat did not carry a deck gun.

Service history
On 4 May 1945, U-4712 was scuttled at Germaniawerft, Kiel, as part of Operation Regenbogen. The wreck was later raised and broken up.