Divers find U-Boats sunk by secret UK minefield

Explorer · 22nd December 2006, 14:02

NEWQUAY Divers have uncovered the wrecks of three Second World War German submarines off the British coast, shedding light on a British operation that has remained secret for more than 60 years.

Historians were amazed at the discovery of the severely damaged U-boats, which are lying close to each other seven miles off Newquay, Cornwall, because none had ever been recorded as being lost there. After extensive research it was found that they had been sunk in a secret minefield laid after the British intercepted a radio message from a U-boat commander.

His boat had sunk a British destroyer after discovering a gap in the Irish Sea minefield that allowed supply ships in to Cardiff and Bristol. He radioed the news to Germany but his message was deciphered by British Intelligence. The British then laid deep mines to allow ships through but trap U-boats. Historians were unaware of the minefield until recently, when the relevant documents were declassified.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...515016,00.html

Explorer · 23rd December 2006, 06:42

Now Off To Norway

Explorer · 23rd December 2006, 06:46

This image made available Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, shows part of the wreck of the WWII German submarine U-864 in waters off Norway's coast. The submarine U-864 was torpedoed and sunk by the British submarine Venturer off western Norway on Feb. 9, 1945.

This image made available Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, shows a canister raised from the wreck of the WWII German submarine U-864 in waters off Norway's coast. The submarine U-864 was torpedoed and sunk by the British submarine Venturer off western Norway on Feb. 9, 1945. Its wreckage, found by the Royal Norwegian Navy in March 2003, is believed to have 65 tons (about 70 U.S. tons) of mercury aboard. Studies revealed high levels of mercury around the wreck, which lies in 150 meters (500 feet) of water four kilometers (2.5 miles) off the western Norway island of Fedje. In a report Tuesday, the Norwegian coastal administration recommended encasing the submarine in special sand, with a reinforced upper layer to prevent corrosion

Patto_chan · 23rd December 2006, 09:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

NEWQUAY Divers have uncovered the wrecks of three Second World War German submarines off the British coast, shedding light on a British operation that has remained secret for more than 60 years.
.........

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...515016,00.html

I was at the dive show In Birmingham a few months ago and heard Innes McCartney give a talk on something that sounded very like this. It seems there will be a documentary on this on UK channel ITV1 early in new year.

22nd December 2006, 14:02	#1 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 783	Divers find U-Boats sunk by secret UK minefield NEWQUAY Divers have uncovered the wrecks of three Second World War German submarines off the British coast, shedding light on a British operation that has remained secret for more than 60 years. Historians were amazed at the discovery of the severely damaged U-boats, which are lying close to each other seven miles off Newquay, Cornwall, because none had ever been recorded as being lost there. After extensive research it was found that they had been sunk in a secret minefield laid after the British intercepted a radio message from a U-boat commander. His boat had sunk a British destroyer after discovering a gap in the Irish Sea minefield that allowed supply ships in to Cardiff and Bristol. He radioed the news to Germany but his message was deciphered by British Intelligence. The British then laid deep mines to allow ships through but trap U-boats. Historians were unaware of the minefield until recently, when the relevant documents were declassified. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...515016,00.html __________________ KONA COFFEE
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23rd December 2006, 06:42	#2 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 783	Re: Divers find U-Boats sunk by secret UK minefield Now Off To Norway __________________ KONA COFFEE Last edited by Explorer : 23rd December 2006 at 06:47.
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23rd December 2006, 06:46	#3 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 783	Re: Divers find U-Boats sunk by secret UK minefield This image made available Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, shows part of the wreck of the WWII German submarine U-864 in waters off Norway's coast. The submarine U-864 was torpedoed and sunk by the British submarine Venturer off western Norway on Feb. 9, 1945. This image made available Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 by the Norwegian Coastal Administration, shows a canister raised from the wreck of the WWII German submarine U-864 in waters off Norway's coast. The submarine U-864 was torpedoed and sunk by the British submarine Venturer off western Norway on Feb. 9, 1945. Its wreckage, found by the Royal Norwegian Navy in March 2003, is believed to have 65 tons (about 70 U.S. tons) of mercury aboard. Studies revealed high levels of mercury around the wreck, which lies in 150 meters (500 feet) of water four kilometers (2.5 miles) off the western Norway island of Fedje. In a report Tuesday, the Norwegian coastal administration recommended encasing the submarine in special sand, with a reinforced upper layer to prevent corrosion __________________ KONA COFFEE
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23rd December 2006, 09:05	#4 (permalink)
Patto_chan Annoying fish since 1992 Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 63	Re: Divers find U-Boats sunk by secret UK minefield Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) NEWQUAY Divers have uncovered the wrecks of three Second World War German submarines off the British coast, shedding light on a British operation that has remained secret for more than 60 years. ......... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...515016,00.html I was at the dive show In Birmingham a few months ago and heard Innes McCartney give a talk on something that sounded very like this. It seems there will be a documentary on this on UK channel ITV1 early in new year.
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