Unbelievable Footage Of WW2 German U-boat Snorkeling And Surfacing

Описание: The Journey of U-2513

German submarine U-2513 was a submerged beast, a Type XXI U-boat engineered by Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. Though her time in active service during World War II was uneventful, her story became legendary through her post-war assignments and fate.

Birth and Early Life

Launched on 14 September 1944, U-2513 was a creation of the shipyard Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. With her keel laid down on 19 July 1944 and commissioned into service on 12 October the same year, she was envisioned as a symbol of naval superiority for the Kriegsmarine. Her first commander, Kapitänleutnant Hans Bungards, led her until 26 April 1945, passing the command to Fregattenkapitän Erich Topp, one of Germany's most respected U-boat commanders.

However, despite her advanced design and capabilities, U-2513 saw no combat. As the war ended, she surrendered on 9 May 1945 at Horten Naval Base, Norway, where she was transferred to Oslo and later to Lishally, Northern Ireland.

Crossing the Atlantic: A New Chapter

In August 1945, U-2513 embarked on a new journey, this time to the United States. By August 1946, she was undergoing a significant overhaul in Charleston, South Carolina. Following the overhaul, she was assigned to Key West, Florida. Here, she became integral in the U S Navy's evaluation tests and the development of both submarine and antisubmarine warfare tactics.

President Harry S. Truman, intrigued by the advanced capabilities of the Type XXI U boats, visited U-2513 on 21 November 1946. During this historic visit, the submarine showcased its impressive schnorchel (snorkel) system, diving to a depth of 440 feet with the President on board.

A Brief Service and a Final Farewell

After President Truman's visit, U-2513 continued various operations along the U S East Coast. Her time in active service, however, was brief. By mid-June 1949, she was moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she was placed out of service by July of the same year.

Her end came in 1951 when, following orders from the Chief of Naval Operations, U-2513 was sunk as a target during rocket tests conducted by the destroyer USS Robert A Owens. On 7 October 1951, she rested on the seabed, 70 nautical miles west of Key West, Florida.

Legacy in Depth

Today, the remains of U-2513 lie approximately 213 feet underwater at coordinates 24 degrees 52.015 minutes North 83 degrees 18.594 minutes West, roughly 23 nautical miles northwest of the Dry Tortugas. The site is a remote, seldom-visited gem, accessible only to experienced divers skilled in decompression diving.

Here are the ship's General Characteristics:

Class and Type : Type XXI submarine
Displacement : Surfaced - 1,621 tons, Submerged - 1,819 tons
Length : 76.70 meters
Beam : 8 meters
Height : 11.30 meters
Draught : 6.32 meters
Propulsion : Diesel-electric with silent running capabilities
Installed Power : Diesel - 4,000 PS, Electric - 5,000 PS, Silent running - 226 PS
Speed : Surfaced - 15.6 knots (diesel), Submerged - 17.2 knots (electric)
Range : Surfaced - 15,500 nautical miles at 10 knots, Submerged - 340 nautical miles at 5 knots
Armament : 6 bow torpedo tubes, 23 torpedoes or 17 torpedoes and 12 mines, anti-aircraft guns

Here is our Reflection:

German submarine U-2513 remains a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of naval engineering during World War II. From her quiet service with the Kriegsmarine to her active role in shaping post-war naval strategies for the U S Navy, her story is carved into the depths of history. While she rests today in the tranquil depths of the Gulf of Mexico, U-2513’s legacy continues to inspire and fascinate historians and maritime enthusiasts alike.


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#ww2 #uboat #submarine #history #militaryhistory #navalhistory #usnavy