New Jersey Scuba Diving

Black Sunday (1/3)

U-151

The U-151 was the first German U-boat to operate in U.S. territory in World War I. The U-151 is not actually sunk in these waters ( it was sunk deep off Virginia after the war, ) but it did "contribute" the following six shipwrecks, all on the same day, Sunday, June 2, 1918:

  1. schooner Isabel B. Wiley, 776 tons - bombed, 7:50 AM
  2. freighter Winneconne, 1869 tons - bombed, 9:12 AM
  3. schooner Jacob M. Haskell, 1798 tons - bombed, 12:00 AM
  4. schooner Edward H. Cole, 1791 tons - bombed, 4:00 PM
  5. freighter Texel, 3220 tons - bombed, 5:20 PM
  6. passenger liner Carolina, 5017 tons - shelled, 7:20 PM

The following day, the tanker Herbert L. Pratt ( 7125 tons) struck a mine laid in the area by the U-151 but was salvaged. The total casualties for all seven vessels was only 13, amazing considering that 448 persons were imperiled and over 21500 tons of shipping was damaged or destroyed. The 13 casualties that did occur were the result of a capsized lifeboat, not hostile action by the U-boat.

The captain of the U-151 could afford to act in such a chivalrous manner for several reasons. U-151 was the first U-boat ever to operate in US waters during WW I. Wireless radio technology was still at a primitive state, and anti-submarine patrol aircraft were unheard-of. This gave the submarine the advantage of surprise, and the luxury of being able to operate on the surface, and allow time for each victim's crew to escape before finishing the attack.

The U-151 sank a number of other vessels off the coast of Virginia before returning safely to Germany. After WWI it was brought to America and finally sunk in bomb tests. In WW II, submarine warfare was considerably deadlier, both for the U-boats and their victims. While the U-151 is not a dive site itself, there are at least three WW II U-boats and several American submarines in the area.

 1 2 3  

Submarines,

u13 - AWOIS 7932

H10224/86 -- OPR-C121-WH-86; WHILE INVESTIGATING ITEM 751, AN AREA WITH NUMEROUS SIDE-SCAN SONAR CONTACT WAS FOUND AND DEVELOPED USING SIDE-SCAN AND ECHO SOUNDER; DIVER INVESTIGATION DETERMINED LIMITS OF SITE, NATURE OF WRECKAGE, AND LOCATION OF THE LEAST DEPTH; SITE WAS ORIENTED NORTHEAST-SOUTHWEST; CONSISTS MOSTLY OF SHIPYARD DEBRIS IN THE FORM OF HEAT EXCHANGERS, BUCKLED DECK PLATING, TWISTED ANGLE IRON, WOODEN RIBS, AND PIPING OF VARIOUS LENGTHS AND SIZES; THE NORTHEAST END OF THE SITE CONSISTED OF A BARGE LYING IN A NORTHWEST-SOUTHEAST DIRECTION WITH THE BOW OF THE BARGE DEFINING THE SOUTHEAST WALL OF THE SITE; THE NORTHWEST END OF THE BARGE, THE STERN, WAS COVERED WITH METAL DEBRIS, HAWSER LINES, AND TRAWLER NETTING; DIVERS CONCLUDED THAT THIS SITE IS THE WRECK OF A BARGE THAT WAS FILLED WITH SHIPYARD SCRAP IRON AND DEBRIS; PNEUMATIC DEPTH GAUGE LEAST DEPTH OF 50 FT. (ENTERED MSD 4/91)

More: u13 - AWOIS 7932 ...

Disclaimer:

I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.

Copyright © 1996-2024 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted

Powered by WordPress. No, really.
Cookies blah blah whatever

This website is 100% AI-free

1075 // 991372 // 659

Printed from njscuba.net