German submarine U-604 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine for service during World War II.She was laid down on 27 February 1941 by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg as yard number 580, launched on 16 November 1941 and commissioned on 8 January 1942 under Kapitänleutnant Horst Höltring (German Cross in Gold).
German Type VIIC submarines were preceded by the shorter Type VIIB submarines. U-604 had a displacement of 769t when at the surface and 871t while submerged. She had a total length of 67.1m (220.1feet), a pressure hull length of 50.5m (165.7feet), a beam of 6.2m (20.3feet), a height of 9.6m (31.5feet), and a draught of 4.74m (15.55feet). The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of NaNPS for use while surfaced, two Brown, Boveri & Cie GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750PS for use while submerged. She had two shafts and two 1.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on propellers. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to .
The submarine had a maximum surface speed of and a maximum submerged speed of . When submerged, the boat could operate for at ; when surfaced, she could travel at . U-604 was fitted with five 53.30NaN0 torpedo tubes (four fitted at the bow and one at the stern), fourteen torpedoes, one 8.82NaN2 SK C/35 naval gun, 220 rounds, and a 2sp=usNaNsp=us C/30 anti-aircraft gun. The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
The boat's service began on 8 January 1942 for training as part of the 5th U-boat Flotilla. After training was completed she transferred to the 9th flotilla on 1 August 1942 for active service.
In 6 patrols she sank 6 ships for a total of .
She took part in five wolfpacks, namely:
She was scuttled on 11 August 1943 at position -4.5°N -41°W in the South Atlantic after being depth charged by two US aircraft, a Ventura and a Liberator. Her crew was rescued by .
| Date | Ship Name | Nationality | Tonnage (GRT) | Fate[1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1942 | Abbekerk |  Netherlands | 7,906 | Sunk | |
| 27 October 1942 | Anglo Maersk |  United Kingdom | 7,705 | Sunk | |
| 30 October 1942 | Président Doumer | United Kingdom | 11,898 | Sunk | |
| 30 October 1942 | Baron Vernon | United Kingdom | 3,642 | Sunk | |
| 2 December 1942 | Coamo |  United States | 7,057 | Sunk | |
| 23 February 1943 | Stockport | United Kingdom | 1,683 | Sunk |