Incredible sonar images show the 100-year-old wreck mostly intact, and the discovery has sparked a resurgence of marine folklore. Experts say that the wreck may contain the infamous UB-85, which, according to legend, was attacked by a sea animal during the war.
Scottish Power crews discovered the wreckage while surveying the ocean floor to lay a new power cable.
The story goes that the beast’s sheer size was so great that it forced the U-boat to recruit and the crew began shooting at the monster until it fell back into the ocean. However, the captain stated that the forward deck plating was so badly damaged during the fight that it could no longer be submerged.
The view of the British Army on this incident was slightly different. Official reports suggested that when UB-85 surfaced on April 30, 1918, it was sighted and destroyed by a British patrol boat – HMS Coreopsis – not by a mysterious sea monster.
History of U-boats
Imperial War Museum historian Laura Clotting told CNN that these types of submarines were deployed to disrupt trade by targeting ships bringing imports to Britain.
“These submarine attacks were very effective and destroyed millions of tons of cargo in Britain,” she said. “It was a long-term strategy.”
Clotting said that given that Britain is an island, it was important for him to import from all over the world to feed his people. She said the U-boat strategy was controversial, which angered many of Britain’s allies.
“The US was furious with U-boats that indiscriminately targeted passenger liners rather than a legitimate military target.”
Philip Robertson of Historic Scotland told CNN that eventually, Britain’s Royal Navy introduced the convoy to protect and protect ships importing goods. This goal made it more difficult for U-boats to identify which liners were carrying cargo.
“It was very effective and resulted in a rapid reduction of German attacks on Allied shipping.”
mystery still unanswered
Although researchers can’t confirm that the mysterious UB-85 was discovered off the coast of Scotland, Ines McCartney, a historian and marine archaeologist, said they may be one step closer to ending the ship’s mystery.
McCartney confirmed it was a UBIII-class submarine, but there are two that it could be – the more famous UB-85 or its sister boat UB-82.
“While I can conclude that this wreck is likely one or the other, it would be practically impossible to tell them apart, other than the numbers painted on them in service,” he said in a statement to Scottish Energy News. ,
“Until a diver finds the shipyard stamp, we can’t say for sure, but yes, we are certainly close to solving the so-called mystery of UB-85 and the cause of its sinking – whether a simple mechanical failure ” Or something less easily explained. ,
But Gary Campbell, keeper of the Loch Ness Monster’s Official Sightings Register, believes that “it is entirely possible that a large sea creature may have disabled the submarine,” and “the area of the ocean where the attack took place.” ” , the history of the sea monster. Visit.”