OPERATION DEADLIGHT EXPEDITION II
NEW - The video film of OPERATION DEADLIGHT is shipping now!!!
Below are images from the new wrecks located. For the gallery of Expedition I here
THE U-BOAT WRECKS
U1009
This U-boat wreck in 57 metres is only a matter of a few hundred yards from the reported sinking position of U1009. It is assumed to be U1009 beacuse of this. She has been badly treated by the sea and is deteriorating fast.
The thumbnails show, the conning tower peppered with shell-holes, the top of the conning tower, and the forward end of the pressure hull.
U1104
This was the deepest U-boat wreck taken on by the expedition, lying in 83 metres.
The thumbnails show the radio loop and steel UZO.
U1271
From the expedition diary: "This 57m wreck is completely intact. It lists over to port and apart from the usual loss of the thin metal around the conning tower, she shows all the features one would expect to see on a late-was Type VII. The underwater visibility was, as usual stunning, with most of the wreck coming into view while the divers descended. This U-boat has been fitted with a ring-float schnorchel and large life raft canisters either side of the mount for the 37mm gun. Also there are four canisters on the bow, one of which seems to have been opened and salvaged.. Interestingly the UZO telegraph is in place and is of the type with the 'halo' bearing disk."
The images are of an open liferaft container, the 37mm AA gun mount, UZO and ring-float schnorchel.
U2506
The incredible discovery of another TypeXXi was the high point of Phase II. From the expedition diary, Innes quotes:
"The 20mm gun barrels on both turrets are in place, the bridge is complete, the schnorchel, scopes etc are all there. There is almost no wear to the casing at all. Only the rudder has fallen off. I kneeled on the sand under the conning tower and was awed by the sheer beauty of the wreck of this mighty killing machine. It is simply the greatest U-boat dive I have ever done. It isn't every day you dive a virgin XXI wreck."
The thumbnails show the forward hatch, attack periscope housing, the bridge, flak turrets, schnorchel and commander, Horst von Schroter.
U861
At 46 metres deep, Jurgen Oesten's cargo U-boat is the shallowest of all the Deadlight fleet. She is also the most broken up. However, she lies in a very tidal area and is not an easy dive. A rare Type IXD2, her sheer size makes her a very impressive dive.
below are her props, diesel engines, conning tower and battery array.
