A First World War German submarine has been surveyed for the first time since its loss in 1917.
Sophisticated scanning techniques and deep-sea video footage have revealed a large hole in the boat’s hull – caused by an attacking British naval vessel.
Scientists led by deep sea archaeological expert of the University of Southampton, in collaboration with offshore survey companies MMT and Reach Subsea, investigated the wreck of UC-47 on behalf of Tolmount Development during offshore operations to prepare for the laying of a new pipeline in the North Sea, some 20 nautical miles off the coast of Yorkshire, England.
Using state-of-the-art robotics and high-resolution geophysical equipment, the wreck, which lies 50 metres below the surface, was mapped and inspected in unprecedented detail, showing an astonishing level of preservation.
UC-47 was credited with sinking more than 50 vessels in her year long career and within the German Imperial Navy, had a reputation as a lucky vessel. But on 18 November 1917 her luck ran out when the Royal Navy patrol boat HMS P-57 surprised her on the surface – ramming and then depth charging the U-boat. The sub went down with all hands and has rested on the seabed ever since.
