The wreck lies on its starboard side with approximately an 80 list. At the beginning of May 1945, the Black Point departed Newport News, Virginia, for Weymouth, Massachusetts, with her cargo holds full of coal. Abrams. They then returned to the site and collected 33 survivors, one of which died aboard the Icarus shortly thereafter. German Type IXD2 submarines were considerably larger than the original Type IXs. Greger and his men again returned to Lorient unsuccessful. As the U-boat began to sink at the stern, Ropers crew watched the German sailors jump into the water and beg to be rescued. In protest, his Leading Engineer questioned his commander's order but could do little to change the fate of the survivors. Standing atop the bridge of the U-boat, the crew of the U-852 meticulously hunted and machine gunned the survivors. Heinrich Himmlers mistress Hedwig Potthast. Early in the day on April 13, USS Roper set out from Norfolk, Virginia, heading south to Cape Hatteras for antisubmarine patrol. The last, under the command of Helmut Frmsdorf, intersected with the end of World War II in the Atlantic. And with its 88-mm gun pointed toward the surface, U-85 looks like its still looking for Allied vessels to sink. CMS Version: 4.6.3. The awesome memorial is a must see if you are in the Kiel area (perhaps visiting the U-995). On her third foray, she sank the Empire Fusilier southeast of St. Johns, Newfoundland, after a seven-hour chase, on 9 February 1942. ): U-860 (+1944) propulsion: diesel and batteries date built: Command of the U-85 was given to Oberleutnent zur See Eberhard Greger. 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. Some of the bodies were wearing civilian clothes, carrying wallets with United States currency and identification cards. The forward torpedo loading hatch, battery hatch, and forward personnel hatch are all clearly visible, as is the conning tower, the aft gun mount, and several of the submarines compressed air flasks. Her new owners renamed the ship the Black Point. Despite claiming they were "only following orders", the boat's second-in-command, August Hoffmann, and Walter Weisspfennig, the ship's doctor (who was condemned for using a weapon in contravention of the Geneva Convention) were also given the death penalty. The text is below: As U-852 broke the surface, her gun crews swarmed out and manned the anti-aircraft guns. The Allies came into possession of an Fa 330 in May 1944 when they captured the U-852 intact. Additionally, the Leading Engineer and a seaman were complicated in the incident. Roper illuminated the U-boat with its searchlight and observed men on deck near the gun whose firing arc had just been cleared by the course change. The drumbeat of the U-boats had grown louder through February and March. This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. Posted by: dozmataz_buckshank Date: October 14, 2016 05:31PM. During the journey, Eck torpedoed and sank the Greek tramp steamer, SS Peleus. 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. For their actions in sinking U-85, Destroyer Division 54 commander, Commander Stanley C. Norton and the Roper's captain, Lieutenant commander Hamilton W. Howe, were each awarded the Navy Cross.[8][9]. 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. (Photo: NOAA), This post is by a guest blogger. This month we visit the U-352. This very interesting page explains the controversial order of 1 May, 1943 to stay up and fight the aircraft attacking the U-boats. On the morning of May 7, they happened to drift by the completely untouched Freden, reboarded and continued their journey. Amid the sinking wreckage were the survivors jammed packed in lifeboats and rafts. The deployment of the depth charges killed the entire U-85 crew. Was. Site Info, NOAA Ocean Exploration This month well visit the Caribsea. He sent out five depth charges from the Y-gun, which damaged U-352 so badly they decided to play dead and lay still on the bottom, hoping to go unnoticed. As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, we may earn a commission when you click on these links and make a purchase. Heinz Eck had survivors and wreckage from the Greek steamer Peleus machine-gunned with the intention of erasing all traces of the sinking. The report, provided by the Canadian War Museum, illustrates the boats career both in German service and its post-war service with the Royal Canadian Navy. Bigbird; Jun 7, 2008; 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. Kptlt. This was the birth of the U-boat as an offensive weapon. If you have any questions please contact us. During a test dive, however, he discovered that U-85 was not able to dive effectively. U-852 Update. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. This was part of a NOVA/National Geographic documentary . [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. Image courtesy of the U.S. History and Heritage Command. [3], The submarine had a maximum surface speed of 20.8 knots (38.5km/h; 23.9mph) and a maximum submerged speed of 6.9 knots (12.8km/h; 7.9mph). California 94041. They spent several weeks at sea, which were largely uneventful. USS Fairmont, later renamed Black Point, in harbor on a winter day, circa 1918-1919. Short video about the wreck of the German U-boat, U-85 sunk off North Carolina during World War Two. Sitting in very shallow water and knowing they were being tracked, the crew of U-85 decided to try to escape on the surface, hoping that their increased speed would get the U-boat into deeper water before Roper could attack. The visibility and water temperature vary widely depending on the dynamic, shifting currents. 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. They confirmed the pressure hull had been breached and that the bodies of many of the 55 deceased German submariners were still on board the stricken vessel. The most evil women in history, Ilse Koch. This month well visit the HMT Bedfordshire. They dived the wreck to a depth of approximately 12,500 feet (3,800 m) in the MIR submersible from the Russian research ship Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. U-85s attempt to shake Roper failed. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. You can clearly see the shell damage behind the conning tower caused by USSRopers 3-inch gun. The Black Point was a 337-foot steel collier built in 1917 by the New York Shipbuilding Company in Camden, New Jersey. 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. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Roper returned after daylight and recovered the bodies of 29 sailors. If so, are there still some parts of U-852 near Somalias coast, that can be found? Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. To view additional dive slates click here. Hutton. The U-852 was itself sunk on May 3 1944 by British aircraft off the coast of Somalia. The hatch of U-85 is on display in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum; the submarine herself still serves as an attraction for divers. 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 submarine, which was a special long-range version of the Type IX, had four bow and two stern torpedo tubes and a Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze cable-towed lookout gyroglider. Download image (jpg, 377 KB). Evidently during the process of launching boats, Freden turned the stern towards U-352 so as to present a smaller target. Saling ship Zawisza Czarny and its German WWII engine, The Norwegian Operation and the Torpedo Crisis. At the end of February, the vessel retuned empty handed to St. Nazaire. She sank 38 ships totaling 217,751 tons, including 14. U-852 was enroute to the Indian Ocean to join the Monsoon wolf pack operating there. Heinz-Wilhelm Eck was born in Hamburg on March 27 1916, and was raised in Berlin. Learn more about U-85 and other World War II shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast here. However, U-352 would not be reaching U.S. waters with the rest of Group Schlei. While on it's first patrol, U-85 discovered the massive 65-ship convoy 42 (SC-42), but was only able to sink the British freighter Thistleglen. Throughout the entire Second World War, the Kriegsmarine had only one U-boat commander convicted of war crimes. After completing his training in 1937 he spent five years on minesweepers, commanding one from 1939. The survivors of U-352 were later interrogated and remained in various prisoner of war camps for the duration of the war, often intermingling with survivors from U-701. The defense presented that the LI had objected to the actions of his CO and the seaman was simply following orders. The survivors were taken to Charleston, South Carolina, as prisoners of war. As the crew of U-352 prepared to scuttle, several began emerging from the conning tower preparing to jump overboard. A mysterious lost WWII submarine, German U-boat U-455 is discovered off the coast of Italy at 120 meters deep. U-852 was enroute to the Indian Ocean to join the Monsoon wolfpack operating there. For Lorenzo del Veneziano, an underwater marine archaeologist, it's an amazing. The crew was interned and sent to POW camps, after which they were charged when the war ended. This year, Scuba Diver Life and NOAA are partnering to profile 12 different ships in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. This great article covers the reasons and consequences for the massive torpedo failures of the Ubootwaffe. 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. Seven crewmen were lost in the engagement; the remainder fled ashore. She was 55 feet in the beam and rated at 5,353 tons. Image courtesy of Kraken Robotics. The dramatic end to U-852. 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 April 10, while off the New Jersey coast, U- 85 found its first target, Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen. U-852. The defense presented that the LI had objected to the actions of his CO and the seaman was simply following orders. [1] She had a total length of 66.50m (218ft 2in), a pressure hull length of 48.80m (160ft 1in), a beam of 6.20m (20ft 4in), a height of 9.50m (31ft 2in), and a draught of 4.74m (15ft 7in). You are using an out of date browser. Image courtesy of Kraken Robotics. Two other officers of U-852, the 2WO and the doctor were also indicted and shot. The outer hull is gone at the bow, exposing the pressure hull and the four forward torpedo tubes. The U-352 was a German submarine that was used during the notorious U-boat attacks in WWII along the NC Coast. Firing two torpedoes, U-85 sank the Swedish freighter Christina Knudsen, and then proceeded directly for Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Apparently, bombers forced U-852 to beach on the coastline during a naval battle. Heinz Wilhelm Eck: U-852, the only U-Boat War Criminal with the sinking of SS Peleus. This site was discovered in 1974 by Olympus owner and Captain, George Purifoy, and several friends. This month well visit the E. M. Clark. [5] The British also discovered the Fa 330 Bachstelze rotor kite, a towed one-man aerial observation platform.[1]. [6] U-85 lies in less than 100ft (30m) of water; the United States Navy briefly attempted to salvage her. By this time, the United States had entered the war and Germany quickly brought U-boats to the East Coast of the United States. Although her commander, Charles E. Prior took a coastal route, not considering threats from German U-boats to be particularly severe. He was keeping with the common practice of navigating in a zig-zag pattern at the time of the submarine attack. Two other officers of U-852, the 2WO and the doctor were also indicted and shot. The crew of the U-85 claimed to have scored at least one hit, but the vessel evidently did not sink and there were no confirming allied records of the incident. U-85 Type VIIB U-boat by NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary on Sketchfab. Mohr, age 26, was killed when U-124was sunk with all hands on 2 April 1943 west of Oporto, Portugal. Following repairs, U-85 transferred from St. Nazaire to Lorient on October 11. 650 Castro Street Earlier that day the four-stack destroyer USS Roper set out from Norfolk on its way to Cape Hatteras for antisubmarine patrol. She was laid down at the Flender Werke in Lbeck on 18 December 1939 as yard number 281. By using this website we assume that you agree with this. However, once again, the crew on Freden panicked and took to the lifeboats. They were convicted at a British military tribunal in Hamburg, (held concurrently during the Nuremberg Trials) for killing the survivors of the torpedoed Greek steamer Peleus in 1944. . The submarine was powered by two MAN M 6 V 40/46 four-stroke, six-cylinder supercharged diesel engines producing a total of 2,800 to 3,200 metric horsepower (2,060 to 2,350kW; 2,760 to 3,160shp) for use while surfaced, two BBC GG UB 720/8 double-acting electric motors producing a total of 750 metric horsepower (550kW; 740shp) for use while submerged. Fearing that they may attempt to man their deck guns, Icarus began delivering heavy machine-gun fire, which resulted in the deaths of several crew aboard the U-boat. One survivor managed to escape and was eventually rescued by allied ships. He had lived to tell the story which had led to the indictment of the four U-boat officers and a seaman. On this patrol, U-85 returned to American waters, specifically off the United States coast. However, before reaching land the U-boat came under attack from six RAF bombers from 621 Squadron. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was spotted in the Indian Ocean by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. On May 9, 1942 it was sunk by the Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. Error loading comments 56,701 views 0 faves Website owner: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | National Ocean Service | NOAA | Department of Commerce. 1361 et seq.) Rathke spotted Icarus, a 165-foot USCG Cutter, on antisubmarine patrol off Cape Lookout. Some of these tubes still have visible torpedoes inside. U-85 departed Trondheim in Norway on 28 August 1941 for her first patrol. 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. Gross Tonnage: 753/857 tons (surfaced/submerged) Cargo: N/A, Built: 1939, Flender Werke AG, Lbeck, Schlewsig-Holstein, Germany, Hull Number: 281 Port of Registry: Germany, Sunk By: USS Roper Survivors: 0 of 46 (46 dead), Data Collected on Site: Still and video photography; photomosaics; site plan; high resolution multibeam; photogrammetric model; listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After the war, she was returned to her original owner, only to be sold two years later to the Hawaiian Steamship Company of New York and renamed the Nebraskan. 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. The boat was capable of operating at depths of up to 230 metres (750ft). 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