U-534 was sunk in the last significant engagement of the Battle of the Atlantic even though the captain (a Nazi party member) new the war was lost and should have surrendered. Before being sunk by an RAF Liberator's depth charges it managed to shoot down a Wellington, a Liberator and a Heinkel bomber! It's a type IX ocean-going U-Boat with a range of 11,400 miles. Some say it's final mission was to take prominent Nazis to South America, along with treasure to support those already there. I visited the sub last January in its final few days as an exhibit, before its curators went into liquidation. The tour guide was past caring about the exhibition rules and allowed us to photograph inside the hull. It has since been moved a few hundred yards up the dock at a cost of £150,000. There is now no power to the wreck and therefore no dehumidification in operation. Its fate is very uncertain , the most likely outcome being that this important historical artefact will be lost through neglect.
Some great stuff on that sub Dave, as i said before its a sad affair when "Red Tape" comes between History and a Block of New Flats.. (Figure of Speech)
Gordon's been on ! By email today: You signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to "Save and preserve the historic WW2 U-534 U-boat!" The Prime Minister's Office has responded to that petition and you can view it here: http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14154.asp Prime Minister's Office
It's gone a bit past that mate. At his reply I just thought, thanks a lot Gordon you philistine, just keep ripping us off for essentials like motor fuel, ya **t, useless b*****d :lol: Seriously: Nuff said !
I don't understand the Politicians and their way of thinking as i believe they are over educated and don't understand simple things in life. Could it be possible to make the site a Museum??
Yeah Jim the plan is to preserve the boat, only cut up into three sections, and sealed with glass at each end, so visitors can see into each section from viewing platforms: I think for some of those that have seen the intact boat in its full glory this is a bit too much to take. It would never be a complete boat again, leaving the only complete examples in Chicago and in Germany... Aye it's sad the politicians see only balance-sheets.
Oops where have all the photos gone? Anyway see HERE for a 3 minute video of recent developments in the project. : )
