As difficult as living conditions were, German U-boats were extremely successful at disrupting ship convoys that ferried massive quantities of supplies to Russia and Great Britain. In 1942 alone, German subs sank more than 1,000 ships off the U.S. East Coast. This Sub's For U Submarines, whether German or American, are relatively small wrecks with little structure to attract marine life or for divers to explore, yet they're very popular dives. The fascination can be dangerous. East Coast subs have seen more than their share of dive accidents.
Penetration is particularly tricky, thanks to narrow, silt-clogged passageways.
Inside the cramped confines of a sub, the first blast of bubbles or burst of fin wash usually drops the vis to nothing. Penetration is not for the faint of heart or light of skill and should be left to properly trained and experienced wreck divers. Some are in warm clear waters and well within safe recreational diving depths. In short, these East Coast submarines suit almost every diver. Mad Hatteras German subs hunted up and down the entire East Coast, but favored the protruding shoals of North Carolina's Outer Banks, where narrow shipping lanes gave targets scant room to maneuver.