A VIIC class U boat sunk off the Coast of Cape Hatteras by aerial depth charge on 7/7/42. The U-701 was 218 ft in length displacing 1070 tons fully loaded with a full compliment of 60 men. The U-701 was under sporadic attack for many days from assorted aerial bombers, she was sunk by a A-29 Hudson from the 396th ( Lt. H.J. Kane) while on the surface. The 701 was trying to exchange her air and had returned to the surface, look outs missed the attacking A-29 which dealt the fatal blow. Of the crew escaping the sinking vessel, approximately 20 were to survive the action of the day. The U-701 was the first U -boat to be sunk by the U.S.A.F. during WWII.* The U-701 sunk on diamond shoals, an area which provides some of the most challenging dives on the Banks. The cooler Labrador current and the warmer Gulf water off Hatteras Island mix here often resulting with currents in excess of 2 knots. The unpredictable sea conditions found on Diamond Shoals make this a difficult wreck to dive. Often the U-701 is completely covered with sand and is simply not accessible.

This is by far the crown jewel of the U boats dives in the coastal waters of the United States. While all of the u boats are special dives like the 85 and the 352, they pale in comparison to the 701. If you have the desire to see a pristine U-boat, then this is the site to see. This year more sand has been removed revealing more of the 701 than we've seen in years. No other U-boat on the east coast offers this level of undisturbed history.

The Outer Banks Dive Center and the R/V GOBETWEEN have a strict policy of no touch/take on this or any other war wrecks. We hope this will remain the premier U-boat dive for many years to come. The history of this vessel needs to be preserved for all future divers to enjoy and explore. The U-701, like all U boats, is protected by the Sunken War Ship act, which prohibits disturbing or taking artifacts. More importantly because service men were lost when she was sunk, she is considered a grave site and is preserved as such.

Port Propeller

Deck Gun

Sand Tiger Shark

Conning tower from stern

Starboard Conning Tower

Periscope and Sky scope

On the prowl

Stern section