Save and preserve the historic WW2 U-534 U-boat!

The U-534 was the last U-boat to leave War torn Germany in WW2 and was sunk in The Kattegat. She was salvaged in 1993.

In 1996 she was moved to the Historic Warships Museum in Birkenhead. Visitors experienced conditions and atmosphere onboard. Since the museum's closure, her fate has been in question. Now positive plans to move her come at a cost. She will be carved into sections!.........

More of this petition in this link

 

I have just signed the petittion

 

Does anyone really know what's going on with U534?
Last I heard she was likely to return to her owners in Denmark (?) who didn't really want her back at all.
This site has been the most reliable compilation of info on here for a year or two: U534

If she's to be segmented for display as the BBC suggests:
BBC NEWS | England | Merseyside | U-boat to resurface as attraction
Then I'd have thought that was a sight better than the other most likely alternative of her being completely scrapped, at least it would mean solidly restarting the preservation work that's suffered since her fate became uncertain. Also weren't they built in segments? (the bare hull at least) So the process may be a little less damaging than it first sounds.

Her and Whimbrel on display, intact, would be nice but I'd like to know more about the current plan and whether there's any realistic alternative.

Cheers,
Adam.

 

I offer to all you a visit of the inside of U-534. A friend of ForumWA make it. I translate to Spanish for U-Historia.
Os ofrezco una visita a su interior que realizó un compañero del Foro WA y traduje del Inglés.

U534 - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums
TerryG Association Member 24-06-2004, 02:59 PM

I had posted some info about this sub last year I think but did not have any photos. Well I went back to see it once again and this time I took a camera. Bear in mind that the sub was in the water for 50 years or so. The inside has not been restored but left as found. On the outside, the tower and the periscope had been damaged by fishing nets so these were repaired as you can see by the different colours. I hope you enjoy these photos. If you are in the UK, this sub is on display in Birkenhead (not far from Liverpool if you are not sure where that is).
He posteado el año pasado bastante información acerca de este sumergible pero me he dado cuenta que no he hecho ninguna foto. Bien, he vuelto a verle una vez más y esta vez llevo conmigo una cámara. Tengo en mente que el buque ha estado en el agua 50 años o más. El interior no no está siendo restaurado, y le encuentro peor que la primera vez que lo ví. En el exterior, la vela y el periscopio han sido dañados por redes de pesca por lo cual fueron reparados tal y como se ve por los diferentes colores. Espero que disfrutéis viendo estas fotos. Si estáis en el Reino Unido, este sumergible está expuesto en Birkenhead, no lejos de Liverpool, si no estáis seguros de donde está situado.




Una vista general lateral


Detalle de la vela


The visit starts via the forward torpedo loading hatch...As you can see the wooden decking is gone and obviously the railings are there for health and safety reasons
La visita comienza por la escotilla delantera de carga de los torpedos…..Así mismo podréis ver la plataforma de madera y obviamente las barandillas están colocadas como elementos de seguridad.


View forward with some of the AA guns
Vista hacia proa con algunas de las AA –Ametralladoras Antiaéreas-


This sub was depth charged and you can see the damage. All the German sailors managed to escape but a few died from exposure, heart attack, etc.. We were told that the Captain was taken into captivity and released in 1946 and then commited suicide..Does anyone know if this is correct?
Este sumergible fue dañado por cargas de profundidad y aquí podéis ver la muestra. Casi todos los marineros escaparon, pero unos pocos murieron por la exposición, ataques al corazón…..Oímos en las explicaciones que el capitán fue capturado y posteriormente liberado en 1946. Fue entonces cuando se suicidó. ¿Alguien sabe si esto es correcto?



These Ek2's were found on board
Estas Cruces de Hierro fueron encontradas a bordo


The markings on a plate found on board
Las marcas de un plato encontrado a bordo


The forward torpedo room with 4 tubes.
Los 4 tubos lanzatorpedos de proa


The visit moves towards the rear of the sub. This is the next room along...can't remember The visit moves towards the rear of the sub. This is the next room along...can't remember what this was but you can see the access hatches on the floor to reach the batteries
La visita comienza alrededor de la parte trasera del sumergible. Se ve a lo largo la próxima sala…..no recuerdo cual era, pero se aprecian perfectamente en el suelo las escotillas de acceso para la inspección de las baterías.


This is the galley. You can see the cooker and a few tins of food above it.
Esta es la cocina. Podéis ver las placas calentadoras y unas pocas cacerolas encima.


The sonar room
La sala del sónar


Still moving towards to rear, this is inside the main control room. We were told that the small contraption with the 2 small handles was the main direction controling device for the sub.
Continuamos moviéndonos hacia atrás, éste es el interior de la sala de control principal. El pequeño invento con las pequeñas empuñaduras son los dispositivos de control principales del sumergible.


Still inside the main control room, you can see the ladder leading to the tower and the periscopes and one of the way out. Up there is where the Captain would be to direct an attack. The outer shell of the tower only was rebuilt and is not part of the visit.
Seguimos en la sala principal de control, se puede ver una escalera que sube hacia la torreta y los periscopios y una de las salidas. Arriba es donde el Comandante debía estar para dirigir un ataque. La parte exterior de la torre sólo está reconstruida y no forma parte de la visita.


We now come to the engine room, one on each side of the narrow gangway
Ahora entramos en la zona de los motores diesel, uno a cada lado del estrecho pasillo.


Now we come to the battery control room
Ahora estamos en la zona de control de las baterías.


This is one of the 2 toilets on board (for 52 men). This one is the rear torpedo room (the other is in the forward torpedo room). As is shown in the film Das Boot, one of the toilets would be used to store food so that leaves one toilet for the whole crew.....I guess buckets were used so can you imagine the smell...
Este es uno de los dos W.C. a bordo (para 52 hombres) Uno está cerca de la sala de torpedos de proa, otro está cerca de la sala de torpedos de popa. Como se muestra en la película “ Das Boot”, uno de ellos era usado para despensa, con lo cual toda la tripulación tenía disponible uno solamente. Si te imaginas el uso de cubos, imaginaros el “perfume”.


Rear torpedo room with 2 tubes
La sala de torpedos de popa con 2 tubos


The end of the visit via the rear torpedo loading access hatch
El fin de la visita a través de la escotilla de carga de los torpedos de popa.

Algunas de las muchas páginas presentes en la red acerca del U-534:
A few of pages talking about U-534 present in Internet:
http://www.u534.coolfreepages.com/Basis_Frame.htm
http://www.bignotion.co.uk/~kemble/uboat534.html
http://www.bignotion.co.uk/~kemble/uboat534-2.html
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16616610&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=battle-to-save-last-u-boat-name_page.html
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16628765&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=wealthy-saviour-wanted-to-bail-out-stricken-warships-name_page.html
http://www.detektorweb.cz/index.4me?s=show&i=1914&mm=1&vd=1&PHPSSIDW=65e979b124905023edff90a3effc1bcf
http://www.u-historia.comà Historia à Historial Uboots à U534

 

I've just signed the petition and i urge others to do so.

I don't live too far from Birkenhead and not long after U-534 was opened to the public i booked on to a guided tour of her, it was an excellent insight in to life and conditions aboard a wartime sub.
There was still a lot of mud, debris and loose rust aboard so a pair of overalls were required.To cut up this important piece of history would be criminal and i hope an alternative solution can be found.

 

looks like it could use a little paint.

 

It will need millions of pounds to restore the U-Boat may be the lottery can help?

 

signed,

has anyone set up a online donation link? Who is the current owner and can they be contacted and given ideas/funds or start a restoration campaign?

 

Dear Rootsie: As you seen at the bottom of the petition, you find these lines:

 

What a shame, I wonder if anyone in Germany has deep pockets to keep the sub out of the scrap man's hands

 

Ah thanks alot Jan7, is the author of the petition the owner though?

Regards,

Alex

 

Yes, the author of the petition is Max Farran, other metod is by http://www.atlantik-pirat.com, your site web

 

Richard made a good suggestion when he said the Lottery may be able to help. This would be an ideal project to contribute to.

U-534 should be preserved for our future generations.

 

think the owner is the danish salvage firm that took her to birkenhead, sorry don't know there names, also there are two petitions to sign uk & global

 

Unfortunately she wasn't saved:
YouTube - U-534 German U-Boat at Birkenhead Woodside
Tis a shame. All because of legislation of a disabled persons act.