The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 200 metres (660ft). This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. At first, Ropers crew didnt suspect much, but they dutifully pursued the contact. Two other officers of U-852, the 2WO and the doctor were also indicted and shot. Today, the submarine lies on the ocean floor almost within sight of the former Newport Torpedo Station which helped develop and test the underwater technology used to destroy it. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Fearing that the survivors of his torpedo attack would be rescued and give away his presence, Eck ordered for all the survivors to be machine gunned. May 2 1944, U-852 beached on Cape Gardefui after attack by RAF aircraft. The awesome memorial is a must see if you are in the Kiel area (perhaps visiting the U-995). She sank the Thistleglen on 10 September northeast of Cape Farewell (Greenland). Evidently during the process of launching boats, Freden turned the stern towards U-352 so as to present a smaller target. Download image (jpg, 377 KB). Some of these tubes still have visible torpedoes inside. This commission helps us to maintain and improve the forum for the benefit of our users. Image courtesy of Kraken Robotics. Abrams, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: U-352, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: the Tamaulipas, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: U-701, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: W.E. [5] The bodies were fingerprinted, photographed and buried in a night-time military ceremony at the Hampton National Cemetery. Greger and his men again returned to Lorient unsuccessful. It was the German U-boat sunk closest to the U.S. mainland. Shown here is the wreck of the Type IXD 2 submarine U-852 off the coast of British Somaliland (Somalia) in May 1944 after being scuttled by her skipper Kapitanleutnant Heinz Eck. The crew of the Roper did not suspect much at first, but pursued the contact. [3] However more recent commentary surmised that Gustafson had not hit her, and her loss is currently unexplained. They spent several weeks at sea, which were largely uneventful. This month well visit the Caribsea. The depth charge damage was so great that he had no other alternative but to abort the mission and return to port in St. Nazaire, France. Over the next several hours, Rathke got off two torpedoes, both of which missed. Hutton, History and Economy of the Great Lakes Region, Celebrate 50 Years of Spectacular National Marine Sanctuaries, Flexible Flights Airfare Offer from Explorer Ventures Fleet, Exclusive Red Sea Liveaboard Diving Packages: Premium Amenities Await. Website owner: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | National Ocean Service | NOAA | Department of Commerce. During the journey, Eck torpedoed and sank the Greek tramp steamer, SS Peleus . When Greger realized that U-85 was being tracked, he was in very shallow water; therefore, he evidently decided to try escaping on the surface. The boat had a complement of fifty-five.[3]. Kptlt. U-852 had a displacement of 1,610 tonnes (1,580 long tons) when at the surface and 1,799 tonnes (1,771 long tons) while submerged. On the morning of May 7, they happened to drift by the completely untouched Freden, reboarded and continued their journey. The crew was interned and sent to POW camps, after which they were charged when the war ended. class IX D 2 class submarine (ger. Greger's first war patrol as Captain began on August 28, 1941, and he was dispatched to patrol for convoys southwest of Iceland. U-85 conducted four war patrols with the flotilla, and sank three ships, totalling 15,060gross register tons(GRT). By this time, the United States had entered the war and Germany quickly brought U-boats to the East Coast of the United States. [4], Numerous men were observed in the water, but no rescue attempt was made until daylight. The site rests in approximately 90 feet of water about 14 miles east of Oregon Inlet. Posted by: dozmataz_buckshank Date: October 14, 2016 05:31PM. (Photo: Brett Seymour, NPS/NOAA), A sand tiger shark swims around the wreck of U-85. Heinrich Himmlers mistress Hedwig Potthast. Site Info, NOAA Ocean Exploration One survivor managed to escape and was eventually rescued by allied ships. This function has been disabled for WW2 Gravestone, The Bad Girls of Nazi Germany: Jenny Wanda, Becker, Elisabeth a Stutthof concentration. However, once again, the crew on Freden panicked and took to the lifeboats. However, to do this successfully the submarine would have to maintain a high-level of secrecy throughout her journey from Europe. Today, visitors to the cemetery can see the graves and read the names of the sailors that were recovered. The U-853 participated in three patrols during the war. Despite frequent disturbance as a popular dive site, the wreck retains archaeological integrity and to this day remains an important and poignant war grave. The boat attempted to run south on the surface and fired its stern torpedo at Roper when the range closed to 700 yards (640m). Image courtesy of Kraken Robotics. KL Heinz Wilhelm Eck of U-852 was indicted and sentenced to death by firing squad at the Nuremberg Tribunal on November 30 1945. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate General's Office.The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. Also, on the site, the density of red barbier baitfish and amberjack is such that it often hinders photographic documentation. Joined later by the destroyer Ericsson (DD440), the American task force detected, attacked, and destroyed the U-853. One of the most successful Hunter-Killers of WWII. Short video about the wreck of the German U-boat, U-85 sunk off North Carolina during World War Two. The U-352 was a German submarine that was used during the notorious U-boat attacks in WWII along the NC Coast. In an effort to honor the service and sacrifice of those lost during the Battle of the Atlantic, NOAA in 2019 will release a draft proposal to expand the boundaries of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to include a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks that currently have little or no legal protection. HMT Bedfordshire is one vessel included in the proposal. The prosecutor was Colonel Halse of the Advocate Generals Office.The presiding judge was Major A. Melford Stevenson. Wreck Site Of the U-boats off North Carolina's coast, U- 352 had the least eventful operational career. Child soldier in the Soviet Union, 1944.. Hutton. The most evil women in history, Ilse Koch. There were only three survivors from the 35-man Peleus. Shortly after midnight, Roper approached the area where U-85 sat and detected a weak radar contact. German submarine U-40 was a Type IXA U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine that operated during World War II.. U-40 was built in Bremen by DeSchiMAG AG Weser as yard number 945. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The remains of the World War II German submarine U-853 and the American merchant ship/collier, Black Point, lie in Rhode Island Sound, about 6.25 nautical miles apart. The bodies were brought back to Norfolk and later that evening, they were buried in Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia with full military honors under the cover of darkness. On June 15 Eck took command of the new Type IXD-852 and put the boat through months of training before leaving from Kiel for the Indian Ocean. She also carried a 4.1-inch deck gun and two anti-aircraft guns. Kapitn Leutnant Heinz Wilhelm Eck of U-852 was indicted and sentenced to death by firing squad at the Nuremberg Tribunal on November 30 1945. We visit this site on average 2-3 times per week, so come check it out and become a part of history with us! Roper then dropped a pattern of 11 depth charges where U-85 had disappeared beneath the surface. This month well visit the E. M. Clark. He had lived to tell the story which had led to the indictment of the four U-boat officers and a seaman. [5] After the war, the British government did successful experiments towing Fa 330s behind ships and jeeps, but the development of the helicopter quickly occupied the attention of the military. Many thanks in advance and best regards. In January, U-352 transferred from Kiel to Bergen, and set out for its first patrol on January 20. Firing two torpedoes, U-85 sank the Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen, and then proceeded directly for Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. On her third foray, she sank the Empire Fusilier southeast of St. Johns, Newfoundland, after a seven-hour chase, on 9 February 1942. This was the birth of the U-boat as an offensive weapon. A set of pages designed to provide a good overview on the monumental battle that took place on the high seas during World War One. [4] More recent investigation by sport divers has raised questions about Navy reports on the wreck.[7]. This month, well visit Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. This year, Scuba Diver Life is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to bring you images and stories from each of the United States 11 dive-able marine sanctuaries. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. Eck, despite his mission, decided to attack the ship. The Black Point was a 337-foot steel collier built in 1917 by the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden, New Jersey. Beginning on May 5, far out to sea off Cape Hatteras, N.C., U-352 began a game of cat-and-mouse with the Swedish merchant vessel SS Freden. On April 13, 1942, U-85 was sitting in shallow water off Bodie Island lighthouse waiting for targets. 59 Besatzungsmitglieder, darunter der Kommandant, konnten sich an den Strand retten. The story of the incident really began on a summer day of March 13, 1944. U-85s attempt to shake Roper failed. She measured 251 feet, 10 inches in length; 22 feet, 6 inches in the beam; and drew 15 feet, 4 inches. U-352 closed for an attack. If you have any questions please contact us. During this time, Roper believed it had another sonar contact and not wanting to take any chances of another possible U-boat, Roper rode right through the mass of sailors in the water and dropped an additional 11 depth charges. JavaScript is disabled. U-85 took part in four wolfpacks, namely: U-85 was operating within visual distance of Bodie Island Light at midnight on 13 April 1942 when the US destroyer USSRoper detected the submarine on British Type 286 radar at a range of 2,700 yards (2,500m). For Lorenzo del Veneziano, an underwater marine archaeologist, it's an amazing. With all the survivors dead, the U-852 sailed away. The crew of the Roper observed the U-boat sinking at the stern and watched as the crew jumped into the water, begging for rescue. [3] When submerged, the boat could operate for 121 nautical miles (224km; 139mi) at 2 knots (3.7km/h; 2.3mph); when surfaced, she could travel 12,750 nautical miles (23,610km; 14,670mi) at 10 knots (19km/h; 12mph). This site was discovered in 1974 by Olympus owner and Captain, George Purifoy, and several friends. Rathke attempted to carry out at least one attack, but depth charges kept him from being successful. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment . Command of the U-85 was given to Oberleutnent zur See Eberhard Greger. As it turned out, not all the survivors were killed. Both of which were part of the 6th U-boat Flotilla.During her short time in the war, she sank no . However, the wreck site is likely the U-boat most frequently dived by recreational divers. U-85s captain must have decided to scuttle and abandon the ship. U-85's second patrol started and finished in Lorient, but was unremarkable. Hans Lenz, the engineering officer, who had opposed Eck's order but eventually carried it out was given a life sentence (but was released seven years later, in 1952). Setting sail from St. Nazaire, France, on March 21, 1942, U-85 was making its third and final journey. Even as the crewman were reaching their battle stations, the Wellingtons were starting their second strafing run. Mohr, age 26, was killed when U-124was sunk with all hands on 2 April 1943 west of Oporto, Portugal. After completing his training in 1937 he spent five years on minesweepers, commanding one from 1939. [10] The Labrador current influences the site and visibility can be low. Privacy Policy Read about one of the most interesting events of the U-boat of WWII when Heinz-Wilhelm Eck of U-852 ordered the wreck of the torpedoed merchant Peleus destroyed with machine-gun fire. Ropers crew manned their machine guns and 3-inch deck guns. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Error loading comments 56,701 views 0 faves Icarus left the area for approximately an hour to await instructions on how to proceed. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The remains of this little-known battlefield serve as the final resting place for 90 ships and nearly 1,700 men lost during the Battle of the Atlantic. U-352 was part of Group Schlei and was ordered, along with twelve other U-boats, to converge on an area West of Rockall and to begin looking for convoys. On 13 March while crossing the latitude of Freetown in the Atlantic Ocean, the U-boat spotted the lone Greek steamer Peleus. Rouse, Parke, Jr., "Under the Cloak of Night", U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "2008 Battle of the Atlantic Survey Methodology", "Home Found for "Enigmatic" WW II U-boat Relic", U-85 Memorial Page with Crew members' birth dates and places, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=German_submarine_U-85_(1941)&oldid=1119483562, World War II Shipwrecks along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico MPS, 2,8003,200PS (2,1002,400kW; 2,8003,200bhp) (diesels), 90nmi (170km; 100mi) at 4 knots (7.4km/h; 4.6mph) submerged, Schlagetot (20 October 1 November 1941), This page was last edited on 1 November 2022, at 20:56. This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. Rathke moved into position twice, each time firing a torpedo from the bow, but each missed. Those charged were Heinz Eck, age 29, August Hoffmann , Walter Weisspfennig , they were executed by a fire squad 30-11-1945. At the bow, the outer-hull is gone, exposing the pressure hull and the four forward torpedo tubes. Aft of the conning tower there is visible battle damage from Ropers 3-inch deck gun. Data Collected on Site: Still and video photography; site plan; high and low resolutions multibeams; 3-D video, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Significance: U- 352 is significant to American military history, maritime history and historic archaeology as it was the first U-boat sunk by the United States Coast Guard off the American East Coast during World War II's Battle of the Atlantic. Read about one of the most interesting events of the U-boat of WWII when Heinz-Wilhelm Eck of U-852 ordered the wreck of the torpedoed merchant Peleus destroyed with machine-gun fire. Please email, Exploring Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Marine Sanctuary Shipwrecks: the Dixie Arrow, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Shipwrecks: The USS Monitor, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: the Ashkhabad, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: The Caribsea, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: E.M. Clark, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: HMT Bedfordshire, Preserving Americas Underwater Battlefield: F.W. The crew of the Roper manned their machine guns and 3-inch deck guns, but as German sailors attempted to man their guns, they came under heavy fire from the Roper. Roper raked U-85 with machine gun fire and scored a hit with a 3"/50 caliber gun. The awesome memorial is a must see if you are in the Kiel area (perhaps visiting the U-995). When they stopped the ship in order to launch the lifeboats, U-352 passed right by them without notice and somehow lost contact. The U-352 was a German submarine that was used during the notorious U-boat attacks in WWII along the NC Coast. His commander-in-training patrol was aboard the famous U-124, commanded by his classmate Johann Mohr, from 28 October 1942 to 21 February 1943. Its a truly haunting image.. Believing that U-boats operated in packs, as they did in other regions, Roper did not want to take the chance of being sunk by an additional U-boat. She was commanded by Kapitnleutnant Heinz-Wilhelm Eck, who led her through her sea trials and onto her first war patrol on 18January 1944. Eck and two of his crew were tried and executed after the . The history behind this site has been televised and featured on the History Channel and is one of North Carolina's best-known dive sites. 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