The U-85 was a Class VIIB German submarine that operated in the north Atlantic during WW2. It was the first German u-boat sunk off the eastern seaboard of the United States in WW2, at the hand of the USS Roper in April 1942. After several successful excursions, sinking a number of Allied freighters, the U-85 was spotted on radar near midnight on April 13, 1942 by the destroyer the USS Roper. The Roper closed in stealthily and was able to score a hit that breached the pressure hull and ballast tanks before the U-85 could submerge to safety. The Roper dropped 11 depth charges to finish it off.

The U-85 sits in 95 ft of water listing to its starboard side. The conning tower, deck gun, and forward torpedo tubes are still intact, and are now home to large coral heads and fish; new life where once there was destruction.

Story credit: The Story of the U-85