http://www.prinzeugen.com/S97.htm S-97, an armored bridge boat formerly commanded by Obersteuermaat Wilhelm Waldhausen, has been found abandoned on a riverbed in the UK. The years were not kind to this illustrious veteran of numerous battles in the English channel but she will soon be in the good hands of the British Military Powerboat Trust, experts at boat restoration. These photos were sent courtesy of the boat's new owner, John Wheeler, who is leading the rescue of this historic artifact. With the help of Philip Simons, RN Coastal Forces Historian, John located the wreck just one month before it was due to be broken up! Rebuilding S-97 will be a painstaking project that will require intensive labor from a lot of dedicated enthusiasts. S-97 was built by Luerssen, Vegesack, hull number 12897. Her keel was laid on 18 September 1942 and She commissioned on 25 March 1943. She was assigned to the 6th Flotilla, and took part in actions in the English channel and the Gulf of Finland. After the war, she was sent to the USA as a war prize,and eventually delivered to Denmark where she served as T 60 Ravnen. In 1960 as P560/Ravnen she starred in a Danish film called "Somand I knibe". Sold to Anglo Diesel company in January 1963, then to Windway Marine Services in November 1963. Used as houseboat "Samantha" until abandonded.
thanks for posting this Kai. Thought I had done so some time ago. Anyway good work. The owner of the boat is taking donations to get this beut refirbished and can be gone through David Krakow's prinzeugen site. And I am going to be wroking with David this fall for S-booten Kommandeur RK's etc.......for the volume 2 of the S-boot book by Squadron/Signal ~E
Martin, go through the site s l o w l y ...... and you may be amazed at how much materials David has in his files....quite impressive I think. And he is in contact with several former members of the Prinz Eugen which is suitable since he has the best coverage on the ship to date. ~E
