Articles

Operation Deadlight Expedition II

by Innes McCartney

Day Ten: 15 May, 2002

Target:
U-2506
Depth: Weather and sea conditions:
Depth 66m. 20-30m linear visibility. Wind 2-3 fair, overcast drizzling.

Diving report:
Another visit to this most awesome of the wrecks we have found over the last two years. Further examination of the submarine reveals absolutely no damage to it whatsoever. This submarine must have simply foundered. Interestingly the stern hydroplanes are set to hard arise, probably done in an attempt to keep it on the surface. U-2506 had twice run aground while being towed out of Loch Foyle.

The bridge area is complete with all the features one would expect to see in place, including telegraphs, compass repeater etc. Interestingly, the sky observation periscope is missing.

The recesses for the forward hydroplanes are in great condition, showing the planes slotted away in mooring position. The aft hatch is open, as is the torpedo loading hatch.

A seriously good U-boat dive. I rate it as my finest achievement in diving since locating the submarine HMS M1 in 1999.

Comments:
We continue to wait on the weather, which is expected to turn against us later today. But we have three days to go and we'll stick at it.

Innes McCartney

This article was published on 13 May 2002.

Operation Deadlight Expedition II

Day One: 4 May, 2002 - Diving on the U-1271 since U-861 is hard to locate.

Day Two: 5 May, 2002 - The broken down wreck of U-1009, plus the Laurentic.

Day Three: 6 May, 2002 - Going back to the U-2511 which Innes describes as the world's greatest submarine dive.

Day Four: 7 May, 2002 - A dive on the U-1104 in a nice Atlantic swell.

Day Five: 8 May, 2002 - Another unidentified U-boat location, plus a steamer from WWI.

Day Six: 9 May, 2002 - A dive on another unidentified boat which turned out to be an awesome dive on the other type XXI boat there!

Day Seven: 12 May, 2002 - Finally Oesten's elusive U-861 is located.

Day Eight: 13 May, 2002 - No diving due to poor weather conditions.

Day Nine: 14 May, 2002 - No diving due to poor weather conditions.