U - 58

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U-58 was a U-57 class submarine built at A.G. Weser, Bremen and was launched on 31 May, 1916.

She was armed with two deck guns, four torpedo tubes with eleven torpedos on board

U-58 was commanded by:

from 9 Aug 1916 - 3 Jun 1917 - KptLt Kurt Wippern

from 4 Jun 1917 - 26 Jun 1917 - KptLt Peter Hermann

from 27 Jun 1917 - 30 )ct 1917 - KptLt Karl Scherb

from 31 Oct 1917 - 17 Nov 1917 - KptLt Gustav Amberger

U - 58 participated 8 patrols sinking 21 vessels = 30,906 tons

On 17 Nov 1917, in the early a.m., U-58 was involved in operations off the southern coast of Ireland and

after spotting a convoy proceeded to attack. The convoy was escorted by US Destroyers.

A crew member of the USS Fanning, Coxswain David D. Loomis, observed a periscope at 4:16 a.m. The USS Fanning

fired a depth charge and then another charge fired for the USS Nicholson.

 The U - 58 suffered severe damage

and was unable to stabilize the submarine causing it to sink. Life buoys were discovered floating up from

the area with "Kaiser" & "Gott" printed on

them. The KptLt Amberger ordered the ballasts blown causing

the submarine to barely rise to the surface at which time the crew escaped to the deck through the hatches.

All crew were rescued except one sailor who apparently drowned. Another crew member died aboard the USS Fanning.

CREW OF THE U-58 HERE AS PRISONERS; Thirty-eight Germans, Captured by Destroyer Fanning, to be Interned in Georgia. ROLL IS SENT TO BERLIN Capt. Lieut. Amberger, Commander of Craft Which Was Sunk Last November, Heads the Party.

*NY Times, 19 Apr 1918

U - 58  surfacing after attack by USS Fanning and USS Nicholson awaiting rescue

The Illustrated London Times Jan 1918

USS Fanning

USS Nicholson

Officers and Crew members entering detention camp in

Crew of U - 58

Amberger, Gustav KptLt

Von Ritgen,Otto Oberlieutenant zur see

Schroether, Paul Marine Oberengineer

Muller, Frederick, Lieutenant zur see Reserve

Ropke, Henry,Warrant Officer ?

Rauscher, Ernest, Chief Seaman

Sporhase, Albert, torpedoman

Kadding, Reinhardt, Seaman

Schiffers, Peter,  Fireman

Trumpold, Paul Shipfitter

Petersen, Carl, Fireman

Brauns, Bernhardt, Fireman

Selberg, Willie Carl,  Fireman

Bronheim, Victor, Boatswain's Mate

Sammuller, Michael, Chief Machinist's Mate

Kretzschmer, Kurt, Wireless Operator

Thiel, Herman, Chief Seaman

Litwin, Franz, Boatswain

Gregen, Hugo, Fireman

Haupt, Arthur, Boatswain's Mate

Grunert, Ernst, Machinist

Renz, Fritz, Boatswain's Mate

Birk, Edward Machinist's Mate

Oleschweg, Willie Electrician, Wireless

Wittenbechar, Berthold, Chief Fireman

Beckermann, Walter, Telegrapher, Radio

Steinern, Joseph, Fireman, Electricin

Bachmann, Fritz, Fireman

Schultz, Fritz, Seaman

Kuhlmann, Herman Seaman

Meyer, Philip, Fireman

Wisseman, Henry, Chief Machinist's Mate

Rippe, Herman, Machinist's Mate

Stoffels, Han, Electrician

Kruger, Ernst, Electrician

Schneider, Kurt, Machinist

Simons, Adolph, Fireman, Oiler

Bush, Adolp, Seaman

                     Baden, Joseph, Machinist    drowned

                                         Glinder, Franz                died of heart attack

Ships engaged by U - 58

27 Oct 1916     Kurt Wippern     'ELLEN'     140tons     Swedish        

4 Dec 1916     Kurt Wippern     'SENTA'     140tons     Swedish     

5 Dec 1916     Kurt Wippern     'STETTIN'     412tons     Norway   

  1 Mar 1917     Kurt Wippern     'NORMA'     850tons     Denmark   

25 Apr 1917     Kurt Wippern     'HAVILA'     1421tons     Denmark

                    25 Apr 1917     Kurt Wippern     'HAWTHORNBANK'     1369tons     Denmark

25 Ap 1917     Kurt Wippern     'SOKOTO'     2259tons     Denmark

   27 Apr 1917     Kurt Wippern     'DROMORE'     4398tons     British   

      27 Apr 1917     Kurt Wippern     'LANGFOND'     1097tons     Norway

     28 Apr 1917     Kurt Wippern     'BULLMOUTH'     4018tons     British

  2 May 1917     Kurt Wippern     'BEESWING'     1462tons     British

  2 May 1917     Kurt Wippern     'DIONE'     785 tons     Norway       

        2 May 1917     Kurt Wippern     'VANDUARA'     2079tons     Norway   

  5 May 1917     Kurt Wippern     'ASRA'     1975tons     Norway         

    18 Jun 1917     Peter Hermann     'IVIGTUT'     456tons     Denmark      

   6 Jul 1917     Karl Scherb     'MOTOR'     63tons     Denmark              

8 Jul 1917     Karl Scherb     'FIORELLA'     1168tons     Norway     

                    13 Jul 1917     Karl Scherb     'CHARILAOS TRICOUPIS'     2475tons     Greece

  21 Jul 1917     Karl Scherb     'RAMILLIES'     2935tons     British        

              14 Nov 1917     Gustav Amberger     'DOLLY WARDEN'     202tons     British

30, 906 tons

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