OT: U-778 wreck might be raised and restored!

[VikingGrandad]

Incredible! I didn't think this would ever happen again - another U-boat wreck might be raised from the sea to be exhibited in a museum, this time in Derry, Northern Ireland:

Raise the U-boat: council plans to put Nazi sub in maritime museum (http://www.guardian.co.uk/secondworldwar/story/0,,2152149,00.html)

U-778 is not a war grave - she sank while being towed during Operation Deadlight in December 1945.

Apparently the U-boat is in very good condition, but she would still need a huge amount of work to restore her to anything like U-505 or U-995 standards. Maybe that's not the expectation though.

I found some photos of the wreck:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/305/u778avz9.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9761/u778cag1.jpg

Is that the remains of a Schnorchel I can see next to the conning tower?

[VikingGrandad]

Incredible! I didn't think this would ever happen again - another U-boat wreck might be raised from the sea to be exhibited in a museum, this time in Derry, Northern Ireland:

Raise the U-boat: council plans to put Nazi sub in maritime museum (http://www.guardian.co.uk/secondworldwar/story/0,,2152149,00.html)

U-778 is not a war grave - she sank while being towed during Operation Deadlight in December 1945.

Apparently the U-boat is in very good condition, but she would still need a huge amount of work to restore her to anything like U-505 or U-995 standards. Maybe that's not the expectation though.

I found some photos of the wreck:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/305/u778avz9.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9761/u778cag1.jpg

Is that the remains of a Schnorchel I can see next to the conning tower?

[Celeon999]

Good news http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

Yes that might be one. Better said , i cant imagine what else this might be.

[Goose_Green]

That is good news indeed http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif Thankfully another U Boat near enough to travel and visit http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Excellent find VG http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[VikingGrandad]

Update - tragic news http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Diver killed on U-boat expedition (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7025213.stm)

[Realjambo]

That's sad news about the diver. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-surprised.gif

I hope they continue to consider raising U-778 after this accident. As goose says, it's nearer than Laboe (I think!) Thanks for sharing VG http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

[Goose_Green]

I heard about this on the news last night, my immediate thought was it a diver diving a U Boat wreck, obviously VG has just confirmed my initial thoughts. A tragic and sad loss to the diver's loved ones.

Let's hope the plans to raise the boat don't get affected by this tragedy. Imagine two U boats raised and available for viewing within the British Isles? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Celeon999]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by VikingGrandad:
Update - tragic news http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Diver killed on U-boat expedition (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7025213.stm) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-sad.gif

[The_Silent_O]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The dive team was filming the U-boat when the diver got into difficulties.

Other members of the team tried to help him - but they were unsuccessful. It is not clear what led to the accident.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Makes you go "Hmmmm" ... More to follow, I guess.

Sad though ... my condolences, indeed a noble cause to restore history.

[wh1skea]

Sad indeed.

I wish the US would make an effort to resurrect some of the war trophies that they sunk, like the I-400 subs.

[VikingGrandad]

Two more updates on the tragedy:

Friends recover tragic diver's body (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/northwest-edition/daily/article3022621.ece)

Tributes to U-boat diver as body is raised (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3024811.ece)

[Stingray-65]

That is so sad about the diver. When I 1st heard about it, I thought he had somehow gotten into trouble inside the u-boat. Clearly it was due to a medical condition as it happened as they were resurfacing. Still sad all the same, but I don't see why it should interfere with the raising of the sub.

[U301]

Sad news indeed!
My condolences to his Family and Friends.
KUrtz.

[VikingGrandad]

Another update on Michael Hanrahan:

Diver's ashes will be scattered at sea (http://www.derryjournal.com/inishowen/Diver39s-ashes-will-be-scattered.3272648.jp)

[VikingGrandad]

Just read this interesting comment in another news article about the tragedy:

"The proposed raising of the U-boat earlier this year sparked major international interest with the German, British and Irish navies all seeking to become involved."

That sounds promising http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif