The submarine was powered by two Germaniawerft F46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350 kW; 2,760 to 3,160 shp) for use while surfaced, two AEG GU 460/8–27 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550 kW; 740 shp) for use while submerged.

Another account suggests the ship sunk was the James Eagan Layne[6] though this sinking is usually credited to U-399.

[7] U-1195 attacked Convoy VWP 16 in the English Channel, sinking the troop transport Cuba[1] on 6 April 1945.

She was sunk by one of the convoy's escorts, the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Watchman, using a Hedgehog antisubmarine mortar[8] on 7 April 1945 to the southeast of the Isle of Wight at 50°33′22.26″N 0°56′17.81″W / 50.5561833°N 0.9382806°W / 50.5561833; -0.9382806 (WGS84) in 30 metres (98 feet) of water.

[5][9] Kemp reports the crew had to make a risky underwater escape from the wrecked vessel.