U12

 

Type:    This submarine should not be confused with the WWII U-12 which lies in the English Channel.      

 

Picture: 

                     

 

Wreck Information :    The U-12 was the first submarine to have an aeroplane carried on it's deck for deployment at sea, an unusual concept, which proved to be a limited experiment for this boat. An early WW1 design of submarine, U12 had a two stroke engine running on kerosene (paraffin) driving twin stern propellers. Key identifying features include the two forward and two aft firing torpedo tubes, six conning tower portholes.

 

Harbour / slip: Eyemouth

 

Parking directions:  At the Harbour   
                                   

Distance from harbour: To Follow

 

Lat / Long:  To Follow            

 

Chart:   To Follow         

 

Depth:  The seabed is at 47m, top of the pressurehull/casing is 43m and the top of the conning tower is around 41m

 

Tides:   Tide Tables

 

Diveboat:        Marinequest 

 

Diveshop:      Edinburgh dive centre      Aquastars

 

Accommodation:          Marinequest                           

 

Suggested experience:  Trimix

 

Other comments: The wreck is a war grave, nineteen German sailors died, there was no disturbance of the site nor the removal of any artefact. Hans Kratzch commanded U12 and went down with his boat. After the engagement U12s conning tower hatch could only partially open, dooming most of the  crew from leaving the sinking submarine. There were ten survivors from the other two hatches, these men were picked up  by  the heavily damaged HMS Ariel, recovering two men despite having considerable bow damage, the other survivors were saved by the rest of the search flotilla.The damage to the port side of the submarine due to the ramming of the boat by HMS Ariel during U12s final engagement is still visible on the wreck. This wreck is protected under the Military Remains Act 1986 (Designated controlled sites).

 

Pub:                      

 

Created by:     Marinequest 

 

Date:     15/1/08

 

Revision:  1                       

 

Thanks To:  Graeme Govenlock, Themacallan and Jumbobo for the U/W pictures                  

 

Underwater photos:  Video    Video

 

                    Porthole with wiper                                             The two rear torpedo tubes                             The starboard prop with trawl net

 

                        Conning tower                                                       port side rear torpedo                                            Inspiration divers

                      

Wreck diagram:

 

                    

 

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