Wreck of German U-boat found off coast of Stranraer

[Brazen]

Relevant to Languish's interests.

The wreck of a German U-boat that sank almost 100 years ago has been discovered by engineers laying subsea power cables.

Remarkable sonar images show the missing World War One submarine is largely intact and lying off the Galloway coast.

Experts believe the vessel could be the UB-85, a sub sunk by HMS Coreopsis in 1918, according to official records.

However, naval folklore suggests it may have been attacked by a "sea monster".

Mysterious sinking

The entire crew of the U-boat is reported to have abandoned ship due to the "monster attack" and once aboard the British HMS Coreopsis, their commander, Captain Krech described their encounter.

He is said to have spoken of a beast with "large eyes, set in a horny sort of skull... with teeth that could be seen glistening in the moonlight".

He apparently claimed that the sub was so damaged in its battle with the "monster", it could no longer submerge. It was found floating on the surface of the water by the Coreopsis.

Dr Innes McCartney, a historian and nautical archaeologist who helped identify the wreckage, believes the discovery of the submarine could help solve the mystery of its final hours.

He said: "In the waters of the Irish Sea there are at least 12 British and German submarines known to have sunk and potentially others whose actual sinking area remains a mystery.

"The features of this particular wreck, which is largely intact, confirm it as a UBIII-Class submarine, of which we know of two which were lost in the area - the more famous UB-85 and its sister boat UB-82.

"While I can conclude that this wreck is likely to be one or the other, they would be practically impossible to tell apart, aside from the numbers painted on them in service, now obviously long gone.

"Unless a diver can find a shipyard stamp, we cannot say definitively, but yes, we're certainly closer to solving the so-called mystery of UB-85 and the reason behind its sinking - whether common mechanical failure or something that is less easily explained."

Sea creature

The historian said tales of sea monsters and haunted U-boats came about due to secrecy surrounding exactly what happened during the first U-boat war which meant that period was "ripe for conspiracies".

He said the stories were often concocted as a result of journalists and ex-Navy men "talking late at night, after having a nice time".

He added: "I don't think it was a sea monster. I like the idea of Nessie doing her bit for the war effort but in reality the real sea monster was the U-boat."

The historic discovery was made by engineers involved in the £1bn Western Link project to lay a subsea power line between Ayrshire and the Wirral.

The 385km (239miles) long cable will carry renewable energy produced in Scotland to England and Wales.

The engineers found the wreckage 120m north-west of the centre of the planned route, off the Stranraer coast. It is about 45m long, with debris spilling from the stern.

Mr McCartney believes it is more likely that the sub suffered a technical failure than encountering a "sea monster".

But Gary Campbell, the keeper of the Official Sightings Register of the Loch Ness Monster, said: "It is entirely feasible that some large sea creature disabled the submarine.

"The World War One report from the captain of the British ship HMS Hilary a year earlier makes it clear that sea farers at that time were well aware of large sea 'monsters' that could be harmful to their ships.

He added: "The area of sea where the attack took place has a history of sea monster sightings - they have ranged from the north coast of Wales to Liverpool bay. What the German captain said could well be true."

Environmental impact

Scottish Power Transmission and the National Grid are working together on the Western Link project to lay the undersea cable.

Peter Roper, of Scottish Power, said: "The images we get back from the subsea scans are incredibly detailed, but we obviously need to be aware of what lies beneath before we can start laying a power cable.

"In all the years I have been building power lines, I can say that this is the most extraordinary discovery."

National Grid's Graham Edwards said: "The Western Link is a very significant project for the UK and has required careful planning in all aspects, but particularly in the laying of high-voltage cables in the sea, where we are working hard to minimise our impact on the environment.

"During construction we take great care over archaeology, whether on land or at sea, and it's always exciting to record a significant find and help to shed new light on our history - especially one with such a good tale involved!"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-37691283

[Maladict]

 

[Berkut]

Cool. Very cool.

[viper37]

Where there any white whales seen close by at the time?

[Hamilcar]

They've discovered Ed's secret Nazi lair! The crafty fellow had it cunningly hidden on the sea floor off Scotland.

[The Brain]

Is UB-40 accounted for?

[alfred russel]

Is UB-40 accounted for?

Last known reports were received ~1995.

[Malthus]

They've discovered Ed's secret Nazi lair! The crafty fellow had it cunningly hidden on the sea floor off Scotland.

It was sunk because the toilet was clogged with an epic turd? 

[Hamilcar]

They've discovered Ed's secret Nazi lair! The crafty fellow had it cunningly hidden on the sea floor off Scotland.

It was sunk because the toilet was clogged with an epic turd? 

Plausible.

[Ed Anger]

The kids shit in the bidet.