thumb|right | alt=The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Inch (DE-146) with prisoners from German submarine U-490 (center, two wearing life vests, one in shirtsleeves) on her quarter deck, awaiting transfer to the escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25), 12 June 1944. U-490 had been sunk the previous night. Note the K-guns with fast-sinking streamlined depth charges mounted on the ship's side, 3/50 dual-purpose gun in upper left, photographer and guard with a Thompson submachine gun (both at right). | The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Inch (DE-146) with prisoners from German submarine U-490 (center, two wearing life vests, one in shirtsleeves) on her quarter deck, awaiting transfer to the escort carrier USS Croatan (CVE-25), 12 June 1944. U-490 had been sunk the previous night. Note the K-guns with fast-sinking streamlined depth charges mounted on the ship's side, 3/50 dual-purpose gun in upper left, photographer and guard with a Thompson submachine gun (both at right).
German submarine U-490 was a Type XIV supply and replenishment U-boat ("Milchkuh") of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II.
Her keel was laid down on 21 February 1942, by Germaniawerft of Kiel as yard number 559. She was launched on 24 December 1942 and commissioned on 27 March 1943, with Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Gerlach in command. He remained in command throughout the boat's career.