Canada's Naval History

Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic - The U-Boats Surrender

With Germany's defeat in May 1945, its U-Boats (submarines) were required to surrender to Allied forces. The Royal Canadian Navy was involved in the surrender of U-Boats in European waters, while U-190 and U-889, surrendering to Canadian forces in the Western Atlantic, were brought to ports in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

U-889's Aft Torpedo Room

A U-Boat's cramped interior placed weapons, equipment, and crew members in close proximity.

U-889's aft torpedo room contained two rearward-facing torpedo tubes, the circular doors of which are visible in the background. Two torpedoes to reload the tubes are stored on the deck. Between 10 and 12 crew lived in this space; some of their bunks are hanging on the right. At the start of a U-Boat's patrol, such compartments were made even more cramped by food and supplies stored in every available space.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20010066-041_5