April 21, 2007: German sub, abandoned and rusting

Undertoad • Apr 21, 2007 12:49 pm
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Russian image site Ochevidec had this item, and according to translation sites, the only information they give is "German submarine".

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So it's not clear whether this massive piece of history is rotting in Germany, Russia, or somewhere else. But I thought it was interesting.

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You'd hardly know what it is, from some angles.
Sheldonrs • Apr 21, 2007 1:14 pm
All it needs is some therapy. Maybe a few days in Sub Traction.
TorasMommy • Apr 21, 2007 1:33 pm
I'm more curious how they got it up in that location.

Wow that a big one! :)
Perry Winkle • Apr 21, 2007 2:19 pm
Looks like it's sitting over a set of defunct railroad tracks.
freshnesschronic • Apr 21, 2007 2:53 pm
Yeah seriously, how did they moist that big ass mofo.
duck_duck • Apr 21, 2007 3:26 pm
That's really cool. They should restore it and make it into a museum of some kind.
milkfish • Apr 21, 2007 3:37 pm
I think I see the whale penis in the second picture.
davegore • Apr 21, 2007 3:55 pm
Dave replied with...was actually rescued from the sea bed and was at a museum near Liverpool in the UK, i have actually been there a couple of times and it is difficult to imagine just how big the thing is...here is a link to the picture,,,they are actually looking for a home for it...do you have any space in your garden?? http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART33950.html
Sheldonrs • Apr 21, 2007 5:54 pm
freshnesschronic;336213 wrote:
Yeah seriously, how did they moist that big ass mofo.


I use IDlube but KY works too. (that's what happens when you don't check your spelling!)

Muahahahahahah!!!!!!
Perry Winkle • Apr 21, 2007 6:47 pm
Sheldonrs;336243 wrote:
I use IDlube but KY works too. (that's what happens when you don't check your spelling!)

Muahahahahahah!!!!!!


I've never been fucked in the ass because of a spelling mistake. That would have made English class a lot more interesting.
Weird Harold • Apr 21, 2007 7:24 pm
There is a German submarine inside the museum of science, and industry, in Chicago, Illinois
Sheldonrs • Apr 21, 2007 7:32 pm
Weird Harold;336258 wrote:
There is a German submarine inside the museum of science, and industry, in Chicago, Illinois


OMG!!! Did you tell anybody that you saw it there?!!! Do the police know?!!! lol!!!
zippyt • Apr 21, 2007 7:42 pm
I saw a series of time lapse pics when they had to move it a few years ago , the three point turn they were antisapaiting turned into like a 30+ point turn
Perry Winkle • Apr 21, 2007 9:46 pm
zippyt;336260 wrote:
the three point turn they were antisapaiting turned into like a 30+ point turn


I've seen people accomplish that feat in compact cars. At least with a giant sub you have some excuse.

The only thing lamer is turning a u-turn into a three point turn. In a Porsche 911.
monster • Apr 21, 2007 10:44 pm
grant;336290 wrote:
I've seen people accomplish that feat in compact cars. At least with a giant sub you have some excuse.


Hmm there is parking for sub-compact cars at a grocery store near us. I always thought it was something to do with car size, but given the size difference between subs and compacts, and taking into consideration the similarities mentioned above, I'm now wondering if it's parking with special maneuver-free properties?
SPUCK • Apr 22, 2007 6:07 am
A U-Turn with a U-Boat... Yeah right!

Just don't be near it when the wrong bit-O metal over one of the supports rusts thru. Picture that rolling over. In your direction.
TheMercenary • Apr 22, 2007 9:41 am
davegore;336232 wrote:
Dave replied with...was actually rescued from the sea bed and was at a museum near Liverpool in the UK, i have actually been there a couple of times and it is difficult to imagine just how big the thing is...here is a link to the picture,,,they are actually looking for a home for it...do you have any space in your garden?? http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART33950.html


I would love to see a museum in the US snatch it up. It would be a great draw. I saw the U-Boat in the Museum in Chicago when I was a kid. It was very cool. I could see a boating company or a port getting a hold of this and restoring it, even if they public could only observe it from the outside. Very cool.
Bromskloss • Apr 22, 2007 11:42 am
grant;336290 wrote:
I've seen people accomplish that feat in compact cars. At least with a giant sub you have some excuse.

The only thing lamer is turning a u-turn into a three point turn. In a Porsche 911.



Oh, man! Now you really made me wanna go out driving. If only I had a car... Those 911's are often RWD (some AWD), which is nice, not the least for a U-turn.

*Dreaming about clutch dumps and left-foot braking.*
lumberjim • Apr 22, 2007 2:55 pm
davegore;336232 wrote:
Dave replied with...was actually rescued from the sea bed and was at a museum near Liverpool in the UK, i have actually been there a couple of times and it is difficult to imagine just how big the thing is...here is a link to the picture,,,they are actually looking for a home for it...do you have any space in your garden?? http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/nwh_gfx_en/ART33950.html


great link..thanks, davethenewguy.
Weird Harold • Apr 22, 2007 6:31 pm
Sheldonrs;336259 wrote:
OMG!!! Did you tell anybody that you saw it there?!!! Do the police know?!!! lol!!!


The Germans are coming, the Germans are coming.
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 22, 2007 7:24 pm
That's U-239. A type VII, 60 men, 1070 tons(battle ready), 67Ms long and 9.6ms high.
davegore • Apr 23, 2007 2:18 pm
sorry Bruce, but it isn't...it's U534 http://www.subart.net/U534_u-boat.htm

Dave
Shawnee123 • Apr 23, 2007 2:34 pm
Toured an old russian sub in San Diego.

I would love to have that in my yard, just to play in.
barefoot serpent • Apr 23, 2007 5:11 pm
Looks like a depth charge dead ahead in that first pic.

Dive! Dive!
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 23, 2007 9:22 pm
davegore;336773 wrote:
sorry Bruce, but it isn't...it's U534 http://www.subart.net/U534_u-boat.htm

Dave
OK, Knuttz called it U-329.
http://knuttz.net/2007/04/18/german-submarine-u329/
BrianR • Apr 24, 2007 10:18 pm
It is actually a Type VII-C. Similar to the one in Chicago, which I have also toured.

That sub is in bad shape, rusting, bilges full of trash, gauges damaged and those that are not are corroded and milky. It used to be sorta functional and the engines were turned over briefly once a month. Not anymore. It is in need of a total overhaul soon or else it will have to be closed to the public.

The story of her capture is fascinating however. I had the opportunity to speak to RAdm Gallery, an ensign when she was taken. His account is much better than his book. I would volunteer to help restore it if I had the time and the museum were interested, which they seem to not be. Shame really.

Brian
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 25, 2007 10:00 pm
It appears to be one of 87 type IXC/40 subs built, not one of the 568 type VIIc subs. I think davegore is right about U-534 as that was a IXC/40.
wolf • Apr 25, 2007 10:35 pm
BrianR;337233 wrote:
It is actually a Type VII-C. Similar to the one in Chicago, which I have also toured.


I spent a lot of time on the U-505 in Chicago when I was growing up. It was my favorite part of the Museum of Science and Industry. I still have the guidebook on the sub, along with the translated U-Boat Commander's Handbook.

It's a shame to hear it's not being maintained properly.
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 26, 2007 12:47 am
U-505? That's one of 54, IXC boats built and one of six (U-501 through U-506) built at Deutsche Werft AG, Hamburg, between 1939 and 1941.

Why yes, I have been doing some research on U boats, now that you mention it.
davegore • Jun 27, 2007 4:30 pm
Anyone remember the image of the day of the second world war submarine which was brought from the bottom of the sea after years and years and was looking like it was going to be without a home???....well the good news is that one has been found
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6244784.stm
and it will live its days out right beside the sea too

Dave
Richie_uk • Jul 22, 2007 7:14 pm
Wow im glad i found this. i live only 5mins away and past it in my car all the time.
xoxoxoBruce • Jul 23, 2007 7:16 pm
Welcome to the Cellar, Richie_uk. :D
Richie_uk;366771 wrote:
Wow im glad i found this. i live only 5mins away and past it in my car all the time.
If you drive by it all the time, why in hell didn't you send us pictures?
Richie_uk • Jul 26, 2007 10:06 am
xoxoxoBruce;367197 wrote:
Welcome to the Cellar, Richie_uk. :D
If you drive by it all the time, why in hell didn't you send us pictures?


ah im sorry, i have never been on this website before.:yelsick: :yelsick:
TheMercenary • Jul 26, 2007 10:50 am
Anyone read Shadow Divers?
xoxoxoBruce • Jul 26, 2007 2:15 pm
Richie_uk;368204 wrote:
ah im sorry, i have never been on this website before.:yelsick: :yelsick:
Just kidding you. Glad to have you here.
nowhereman • Jul 26, 2007 2:48 pm
Just an aside, but "Blind Man's Bluff" is a fabulous book about submarine spying programs and some of the men involved. James Bond had NOTHING on these guys.
davegore • Sep 30, 2007 4:54 am
Not sure if anyone remembers this post, but it is still situated near to where I live even though the visitor centre has gone. One of the people on a local Merseyside forum is part of an urban exploration group and he and a few others managed to gain access inside the sub...I have included the link which includes some of the pictures for anyone to take a look if they want to plus a link from the actual urban exploration web site too

Enjoy!!

Dave
http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6019

http://www.level-two.co.uk/u534.php
TheMercenary • Sep 30, 2007 10:03 am
Fantastic! thanks. Very interesting story. I wonder why no uber-rich American or US military history group has taken up this cause? I wish they would save it.
xoxoxoBruce • Sep 30, 2007 3:58 pm
Wow, thanks davegore, excellent find.

@ Merc, it's a German U-boat in England. We have enough projects here, including U-boats. An excellent one in Chicago.
TheMercenary • Sep 30, 2007 8:40 pm
xoxoxoBruce;390712 wrote:
Wow, thanks davegore, excellent find.

@ Merc, it's a German U-boat in England. We have enough projects here, including U-boats. An excellent one in Chicago.
Yea, I use to go to it when I was a kid. Maybe that is why I like that idea. We need to bring another one. U-boats are a bigger part of our history than the UK's in my opinion.
Weird Harold • Sep 30, 2007 8:46 pm
xoxoxoBruce;390712 wrote:
Wow, thanks davegore, excellent find.

@ Merc, it's a German U-boat in England. We have enough projects here, including U-boats. An excellent one in Chicago.


DIVE DIVE I can't take it get me out of here there's too many of them....


Sorry your post sent me into one of those flash backs that I have. War is hell. Taking 3 kids to the Museum of Science and Industry is worse.
TheMercenary • Sep 30, 2007 9:10 pm
Weird Harold;390777 wrote:
Taking 3 kids to the Museum of Science and Industry is worse.

Might be, but it will be something that they will never forget. Hopefully it will give them the chance to torture their kids too. :D To this day I love museums. I will never forget the big lion statues, the joy and wonder of stuff never seen before. Visiting big museums like that are like walking through a National Geographic Magazine.
xoxoxoBruce • Sep 30, 2007 11:10 pm
Agreed, I could wander around the Smithsonian for days.
Richie_uk • Apr 8, 2008 10:30 am
it has been chopped up into peices now :(

heres a video i shot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mQXT5nSU2I

Image
xoxoxoBruce • Apr 8, 2008 10:45 am
Looks like it was cut into sections in order to move/preserve it, and not cut up for scrap. I hope.
Richie_uk • Apr 8, 2008 10:57 am
Thats correct, it will allow people to walk around it more.
davegore • Apr 11, 2008 5:26 am
the sub is to be cut up, as Richie says, and it's going to be in either 3 or 4 pieces at one of the ferry terminals on the wirral side of the river Mersey, the sections will allow people to view the interior of the sub and by the look of it when it's all finished it should eb quite an interesting exhibition

Dave
BrianR • Apr 20, 2008 7:52 pm
I vote they cut the side off and restore the interior. Then cover the opening with Plexiglass and allow people to view it from the side, and don't forget the belowdecks portions, battery compartments, dynamo room and storage areas.
TheMercenary • Apr 20, 2008 8:21 pm
I'm just glad they are preserving it after all.
BrianR • Aug 11, 2008 3:12 pm
OK, it was last summer, before they cut the sub into pieces.

This website has pictures from some urban explorers who got into the sub one night. The sub is a real mess, rust everywhere and the damage to the after torpedo compartment is very evident. I don't see this being restored, given the state of decomposition. It's in very bad shape.