Unterseeboot 534

"Unterseeboot 534" was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the Kriegsmarine and was built in 1942 in Hamburg-Finkenwerder by Deutsche Werft AG. The U-boat is one of only four remaining in the world. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7230011.stm|publisher="BBC News"|date=6 February 2008|accessdate=2008-02-17|title=Engineers breaking-up WWII U-boat]

She was sunk on 5 May 1945 by 10 depth charges launched from a British Liberator aircraft. She sank in the waters of Kattegat north-west of Elsinore, in position coord|56|39|N|11|48|E|type:landmark_region:DK|name=U-534. In 1993 Danish media millionaire, Karsten Ree, sponsored the raising of the submarine amid rumours of Nazi gold and intense media coverage. Hopes of gold treasure were disappointed, however, as the ship contained nothing but what was to be expected.

Transported to Birkenhead, England in 1996, the vessel formed part of the Warship Preservation Trust's collection at Birkenhead Docks until the museum closed on 5 February 2006. On 27 June 2007, the Merseytravel transit authority announced that it had acquired the submarine to display at the Woodside Ferry Terminal. [cite news|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/tm_method=full&objectid=19361329&siteid=50061-name_page.html |publisher="Liverpool Daily Post"|title=Woodside Ferry to be new home for rescued U-boat|date=July 2007|accessdate=2007-09-25]

For technical reasons and to facilitate economical transportation to its new site, the vessel was cut into four sections. It will be displayed in this form to allow visitors better access and visibility. [citeweb|url=http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/u534/index.aspx|title=About U-534|work=Mersey Ferries|accessdate=9 June|accessyear=2008] Merseytravel said that preserving the hull intact would have created prohibitive transport costs. [cite news|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/22/u-boat-s-future-is-secure-64375-19987639/|publisher="Liverpool Daily Post"|title=U-boat's future is secured|date=22 October 2007|accessdate=2007-10-22] Engineers began a month-long operation to break up "U-534" using a diamond wire cutter on 6 February 2008. Beginning on 10 March 2008, the sections, each weighing up to 240 tonnes, were transported by floating crane over a number of days. The modified attraction and visitor centre was expected to open at the end of September 2008 [citeweb|url=http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/u534/news.aspx|title=U-534 Latest News|work=Mersey Ferries|accessdate=9 June|accessyear=2008] , but according to Mersey Ferries marketing team, it will now open in February 2009.

ee also

*"U-505"

References

External links

* [http://www.atlantik-pirat.com/U-534page2.htm "U-534"]
* [http://www.level-two.co.uk/u534.php Exploration of "U-534" in July 2007]
* [http://www.uboat.net/boats/u534.htm "U-534" Information page on uboat.net]
* [http://web.ukonline.co.uk/gaz/u-534.html "U-534" Information and photos]
* [http://www.u534.coolfreepages.com/Basis_Frame.htm Raising "U-534"]