The Type IX U-Boat - The problem of German subs and how to fix them

Today we look at the development history of the Type IX U-Boat of the Kriegsmarine, and one particular special sub with a story all of it's own.
See more here and with big thanks to:
/ howtofixauboat
liverpoolwarmu...
bigheritage.co...
Sources:
The Type IX U-Boat - Robert W. Thew - Warship International Vol. 28, No. 1 (1991), pp. 14-29
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[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@Kevin-ch4qo]

When will you cover the only sub vs sub underwater action? HMS venturer vs U-864 That definitely deserves a rum ration episode

[@silenceoftheyams5969]

In a fantasy where naval treaty’s determine that 14” is the maximum for battleship guns and all nations actually conform to the treaty. How powerful could a 14” naval rifle be with the technology of the time and how many 14” guns could you have put on the Yamato?

[@larsnation]

You are a spy onboard a german submarine and get wind of a significant secret operation, what are your options in terms of getting the word out or Sabotage. Id imagine Sabotage without dying would prove to be fairly difficult but communication with the outside world is obviously quite limited.

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

Everyone always points to the British the Germans the Americans or the Japanese when looking at good submarine design but what about the minor Nations did any of the other countries involved in world war II have a excellent submarine design but maybe just don't get enough attention?

[@thomasmolloy5447]

Drach, your difficulty with Mrs Drach's passport for the America trip is probably rooted in unreasonable restriction on the import of adorable sea mines. Not being US citizens put a damper on any direct protest. However, some of your hosts might have a solid 2nd amendment case. After all, if it is illegal to host visiting adorable sea mines and their husbands, then only criminals will be able to host adorable sea mines and their husbands. Because MERICA.

[@jasonreed1631]

To be fair, all ships also have a submerged displacement, but if you're using it something probably went wrong somewhere along the line.

[@stamasd8500]

With rare exceptions.

[@maxkronader5225]

Well, to be truthful, much of the water is no longer being displaced in that case.

[@80b]

Submerged displacement could vary widely depending on the condition of the ship.

[@Superuser009]

This usually becomes relevant with a sudden and unplanned class change to "submarine"...

[@khaelamensha3624]

Depends if when you talk about submerged displacement water is or is not inside the hull 😇😂

[@Doiteify]

There is documentey following the raising of the sub. One of the German sailors who was on the boat when it sunk was there when they raised it, he even got his old comb back!

[@bificommander7472]

Did he have anything to say about the last voyage? Did the captain tell them what they were doing, or did he even tell them about the surrender?

[@Doiteify]

@@bificommander7472 I honestly dont remember. I only caught the tail end of it about 20 years ago. Does anyone know the name of it? Id like to watch it again.

[@paulamos8970]

I would also like to see the documentary on the finding and raising of the U-boat, I vaguely remember seeing it at the time and visited the boat when in Birkenhead, unfortunately you could only look around the outside without making prior arrangements, which was a bit disappointing considering it was meant to be a museum!

[@markdavis2475]

@@paulamos8970 I saw it when it was in one piece, its now been cut into 5 sections (I think). The O class boat, HMS Plymouth and other smaller vessels have all gone now.

[@paulamos8970]

@@markdavis2475 Yes, it was in one piece when I saw her and Plymouth. Yet another outrageous situation that typifies the general British attitude towards the Naval history of the country. And without which our Naval tradition would have resulted in a totally different Britain now.

[@lukum55]

U-196, a Type IXD2, completed the longest combat patrol by any submarine during WW2 when she set off from Kiel on 13 March 1943 and returned to Bordeaux on 23 October 1943. The crew of about 60 men spent 225 days in a crowded 87x4 meter tube sharing one toilet between them and enduring every possible weather condition and temperature ranging from freezing storms of the North Atlantic to tropical heat of the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

[@Conn30Mtenor]

And considering that the German submarines had no air conditioning no mean feat.

[@krakenpots5693]

Ah... the smell of men!!!

[@mpetersen6]

@@krakenpots5693 When everybody stinks. Nobody stinks.

[@dougreid2351]

Ugh! And I thought Twenty Nine Palms in July was bad! Double ugh! DOUGout

[@notshapedforsportivetricks2912]

Acter that long at sea in a u-boat, the only things that would remove the smell from the laundry would be a few gallons of petrol and a lighted match.

[@silenceoftheyams5969]

Determined to be a land, sea and air museum on its own, seeing it come together as a actual museum, is something we all look forward to!

[@rogerjohnson9820]

😢😢 3:59 😮l p

[@FadoraGerman]

I actually currently work as a tour guide on the U-505 in Chicago. I assume your organization has already reached out to ours concerning restoration practices, but I’ll bring this up to my superiors attention to see if we cant help y’all get some of that paint your looking for.

[@Brausepaul1977]

I had a chance to see U-505 a few years ago and was astonished that a gruesome but nonetheless puzzling detail was left out when telling the story of said boat. The fact that a previous commander commited suicide during a depth charge attack, probably due to heavy stress after a streak of failed attempts to leave port.

[@joshthomas-moore2656]

See i have a bit of a personal history with U-534, i lived in Birkenhead and when i was a young boy my family drove past the sub and it started my love with history which got me to this channel and i did go and see it after it got cut up and placed next to the docks and it always made me quite sad that the ship ended up in that state and now my favourite youtubers involved with bringing her back, the little boy who saw her all those years ago is happy now.

[@mbryson2899]

The U-505 got me interested as a kid in history and in practical knowledge (it amazed me that people knew what all that complex machinery did). Right down the rabbithole I went.

[@scottyfox6376]

Yes it must be sad to see unique artifacts being carved up for the sake of a few dollars.

[@patrickaalfs9584]

Nice story. Thanks

[@peasoup2980]

That sentence was longer than the battle of the Atlantic.

[@patrickaalfs9584]

@@peasoup2980 at least he didn't use twelve commas for his run on sentence.

[@mdsx01]

The capture and preservation of U-505 is an interesting story. I got to see her a few years back, it's worth it if you're in the Chicago area.

[@TheProcessEngineeratLarge]

I've gotten to see her twice. Once before and once after her big move and restoration. Always an impressive sight if you go to the museum of science and industry.

[@rickymherbert2899]

Gallery's book "We captured a U-Boat" is a great read; I would love to actually visit her (U505) but the Mexican beer virus has thrown a big spanner in the works with those plans. ☹

[@scottpeters371]

The job MSI did moving U-505 underground, intact, was amazing. They had a TV special on shortly after the sub was moved underground detailing the move and restoration and I failed to copy it. Naturally, it hasn't been on again.

[@pavementsailor]

Our elementary school class toured it in the 60's. All I really remember is grey pipes everywhere.

[@philvanderlaan5942]

@@rickymherbert2899 that’s why I only drink Guinness.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Congrats on getting partnership with Big Heritage, Drach 26:02 Also since you're visiting the US, try going to a freak electrical storm somewhere in Hawaii to get authentic Kriegsmarine paint. I heard USS Nimitz used that to travel back in time

[@Alobo075]

"I say again, Splash the Zeros."

[@Arbiter099]

Nimitz vs Kido Boutai would make for a fun April Fool's video

[@mbr5742]

@@Alobo075 That movie still is a solid one and quite watchable

[@carebear8762]

@@Arbiter099 And a short one...

[@RCAvhstape]

The end of that movie was perhaps the greatest blue ball moment in film history.

[@casperreininga3253]

So glad to see U-534 get some well deserved attention again, cutting her into 3 pieces felt, and still feels, like a disservice to the ship and its former crew and their history.

They should weld it back together again, not easy but the only right thing to do.

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

@ Shouldn't be that hard, but it would be a big job involving a lot of people and cranes that cost a lot.

[@Primarch359]

U 505 is extremely well displayed. Both the Museum of Science and Industry and the Field Museum are great reasons to visit Chicago

[@mgreen7063]

Hopefully you don't get stuck up on your way to the front door... I agree, U505 is incredible. I just wish it wasn't in downtown Chicago.

[@talldog9135]

While U-505’s location at MSI is something of a travel nightmare, even for Chicagoans, I can’t help but find her fascinating, especially when you consider the methods used to bring her out of Lake Michigan and across Lake Shore Drive to the spot she resides in today! A part of me was always curious as to why we would have her displayed in Chicago until I heard about the other German submarine that called Lake Michigan home, the UC-97. If anyone is curious about her, either look up her story or ask Drach to do a video on the Type-III mine-laying U boats.

[@SynchroScore]

@@mgreen7063 It's not in downtown Chicago, it's in Jackson Park, several miles south of downtown.

[@SynchroScore]

@@talldog9135 As a Chicagoan (or something close enough) it's not at all difficult to get there. Take the Metra Electric to 55th-56th-57th Street, walk to the south end of the platform, then walk two blocks to the east and you're at the main entrance. There are also buses, but I generally prefer the train.

[@talldog9135]

@@SynchroScore Thank you very much.

[@lilyeves892]

I remember that sub from when I was younger, that sub is now in pieces hidden in a small little courtyard about 20 minutes from where it used to be held. Those flats btw are still empty, they've been a joke for years around here. They're luxury apartments but they are in the middle of the industrial sector so they've stood empty since they where built

[@hawkeye5955]

I guess the phrase "build it and they will come" failed in this case.

[@simonwaldock9689]

Typical local authority behaviour. They couldn't tell their elbow from their ... lower rear torso.

[@Hachaimenesch]

the attractiveness of a building depends on the following in order: 1. Location 2. Location 3. Location Could it be, that those financing luxury apartments in the middle of an industrial sector were simply going all-out for an epic fail? Something like the charge of the light brigade in real estate development?

[@barrag3463]

Gotta love realty developers. Do the owners of the apartments get a tax write off from them "not being able to rent them" like they do here in the US?

[@44R0Ndin]

You'd think they'd lower the rent on them to the point that they start getting occupied, if that were the case, especially considering the current issues people have finding affordable housing, no? Forgive me, what am I thinking, I'm assuming government has these things called "common sense, logic, and reasoning".

[@George_M_]

Saw U-505 in Chicago. Entire sub is intact suspended in midair inside a custom building. Still tourable, and viewable from all angles. One of the best single vehicle exhibits ever.

[@harryhyde1159]

There is a unique opportunity to preserving U-534 in segments. Access to the cross-section at full scale, demonstrating how much volume was between the outer hull and pressure hull, what could be stored there, and how it was accessed. Shame as being in pieces may be, it can be turned into multiple displays that are found no where else.

[@majorborngusfluunduch8694]

No, that sucks. We're talking about a real U-Boat raised from the depths. It deserves to float again in one piece.

[@Melody_Raventress]

@@majorborngusfluunduch8694 Not going to happen. Better in some ways, the sea is a bitch. If you are a regular on this channel you've seen the damage years of neglect can do to a historic ship like the Texas. Best the ship be on land, where it can be preserved.

[@majorborngusfluunduch8694]

@@Melody_Raventress I was concerned about the cutting it into pieces thing. I understand keeping it on land might be the better long term plan, but what I want is for the boat to be preserved in one whole piece, not chopped up and dissected the way OP suggests.

[@DonDueed]

Congratulations, Drach. Your historiography career has reached a new level, as a significant participant in this preservation effort. You would not have come so far had you not excelled at what you've done already.

[@Kevin-ch4qo]

When will you cover the only sub vs sub underwater action? HMS venturer vs U-864 That definitely deserves a rum ration episode

[@Arbiter099]

But I've seen subs sink each other underwater all the time in movies. Hollywood would never lie

[@benholroyd5221]

@@Arbiter099 I don't think sink is the correct terminology, when the boat is question is already underwater.

[@44R0Ndin]

@@benholroyd5221 It could be argued that a sub that is disabled while submerged is in fact "sunk" if it falls to the bottom, as subs operate close to being "neutrally buoyant" (depends on the nation if it's "slightly positive" or "slightly negative"), and to "sink" you need strongly negative buoyancy, which would be handily accomplished by the detonation of a torpedo near or in contact with the sub's hull while submerged. EDIT: Also, there's the whole issue of "intentional vs unintentional diving", and "unintentional diving caused by mismanagement vs by combat damage". The latter category IMO unequivocally counts as "being sunk".

[@lelandmarshall9515]

@@Arbiter099 0aapp

[@Kevin-ch4qo]

@@Arbiter099 Most things don't react well to bullets

[@jason1440]

Took the tour through U505 twice. I thoroughly enjoyed that. I recommend seeing it at The Museum Of Science and Industry in Chicago.

[@craigwoodward7638]

Brilliant video as always, gaining this access is a fantastic reward for the committment you have shown by producing high quality content for several years!

[@pzwackelmann7681]

A kingdom for a plumber! 😄

[@Kav.]

Words can't describe quite how much it makes me seethe that they cut it into bits. You have a complete, relatively well preserved u-boat and you decide to chop shop it into bits for what?

[@khaelamensha3624]

Even if I am a Lego fan I do agree, this seeing is... Painful

[@dylanmilne6683]

I remember one of the arguments at the time was accessibility and that it would be a better attraction. As if we would chop up a Lancaster or spitfire and sink it to ground level just so that people can see inside?

[@sandrocerutti8161]

I'm italian and years ago I visited the Enrico Toti, an Italian cold-war era SSK preserved at a museum in Milan. I can't believe that some madman could think that was a good idea (and going forward with it) to cut to pieces a well-preserved WWII-era u-boat, one of four remaining afloat.

[@IntrusiveThot420]

@@dylanmilne6683 honestly that would be SICK. I would totally go see a cross sectioned spitfire

[@paradoxicalcat7173]

I completely agree. Why the hell would such a thing be a good idea? If you want a cross-section use modern technology and produce an interactive 3D model! Don't cut the real thing to bits!

[@QuinnCat1918]

I’m from Chicago and I was so excited when you mentioned U-505. Love your channel! Thank you!

[@Isolder74]

U-505 is worth seeing. If you are in Chicago you have to visit the Museum of Science and Industry.

[@zachsmith1676]

When last I was in Chicago I visited the Chicago museum of science (think that was the name) and before leaving the museum I visited the U-505 exhibit and that was when I got a true sense of how massive submarine torpedoes were (probably still somewhat as large nowadays). The walk through tour of the sub was neat too… I referenced Das Boot, specifically the scene where the bosun is yelling at the passing crew that it’s not a pleasure cruise, that he wants to see steam coming out their asses… got a laugh out of a couple of fellow tour goers as they got the reference, more joined in as we explained the reference. I’d def go back again in the future!

[@QuinnCat1918]

Been going there since I was in elementary school. Still never gets old 😌

[@LmgWarThunder]

honestly this sounds like such an amazing opportunity and I'm excited just to see you get to do this. I can't imagine how awesome it must feel to get to bring the literal construction of a museum to light in a subject that you enjoy as well as I think you enjoy this

[@MadnerKami]

As an absolute U-Boat-fan, I am so happy to know and see that another piece of submarine-history finds it's way into a museam. Thank you for letting us take part in this adventure 🙂

[@MechaWolf0]

One of the Type IXC/40 boats was U-869, found of the coast of New Jersey. Her gripping tale is recounted in the book Shadow Divers and the documentary Hitler's lost sub. Cause of sinking and why she was off New Jersey instead of Gibraltar in the first place remains a mystery. Three divers lost their lives trying to identify her. God rest their souls. Only one of the subs crew survived because he was sick when the boat sailed.

[@CarlsonWDane]

I went through U 505 when I was younger and was just awestruck. Imagine walking into a huge room with a not so small submarine in it, incredible.

[@user-lv7ph7hs7l]

Although these "boats" were small compared to surface vessels it is amazing (IMO) that U-505 is almost 10 m longer than HMS Victory and weighs as much as a heavy frigate. Not sure on which I'd rather serve. I don't like bugs in my food so I guess a U-boat is better.

[@waylandcool]

A fantastic book on U-505 is Steel Boat, Iron Hearts. Written by a crew member who was on all of its combat patrols. His battle station was on the bridge so he has alot of details on the boat's career.

[@marknelson8724]

Edd China, who has a KZbin channel, just got a laser sand blaster. When someone asked where they could go to have their rusty stuff run through such a process, Edd wasn't sure if anyone was yet doing it commercially. Mr. China was using his new pulse laser rust destroyer to clean the frame of an old Land Rover. I hesitate to even mention this as Edd is the sort to spend the next few years rebuilding the U-boat by himself...

[@Jfk2Mr]

... into working condition sub? That would be grand

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Yup....Edd is your go-to guy for that little job.

[@eshafto]

This is great. I've always wished you did more submarine episodes. Looking forward to the updates, and congratulations on the partnership.

[@rlosable]

Seriously, awesome project and really glad that you can be that involved in this!

[@DazzleCamo]

So stoked that they offered this to you, these videos are going to be super cool to watch

[@karlvongazenberg8398]

The use of a twin, rapid firing 37mm Flak is justified against pigeons. :)

[@khaelamensha3624]

I do agree pigeons are nasty things 😂

[@bengrogan9710]

Everyone hates sky rats

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

@@bengrogan9710 I had a big black cat called Wolfgang. He absolutely loved pigeons.

[@hawkeye5955]

Also great for shooting down the flying beach rats known as seagulls, the larger cousins of pigeons.

[@The_New_IKB]

Death to the sky rats!

[@comraderoman4299]

This brings me back to my SH3 days! Thanks Drach!

[@comraderoman4299]

Forgot about this comment 💀

[@slinkerdeer]

I just started getting into U-Boat history a few days ago and then you upload this video. Impeccable sense of timing there sir

[@richardbuchs3815]

I am so happy that you are going to be part of this wonderful project! I truly love your channel and your knowledge, presentation and your Love for all things WWII ships/boats and history behind all. God Bless you all and please don't stop.. a 74yr old fan!!

[@mpersad]

Tracking, recording and documenting the restoration and history of U-534 is going to be fascinating. Really looking forward to the series.

[@76dg15]

I can’t believe we’ll see a restoration in real time ! You’re awesome for taking a part in this

[@chuckmarble2365]

Another outstanding video Drachinifel, bravo! It's very exciting to hear that you'll be the world-exclusive documentarian for The Western Approaches Museum's U-534 conservation efforts. What a perfect time for you to have the newly acquired aerial video capabilities, a dedicated cameraman (and a portable multi-microphone set-up for the related interviews). Really looking forward to seeing the last Friday of each month updates. The fact that they reached out to you is yet another step forward towards you becoming acknowledged as as one of the most important Naval Historians of our time. Keep up the great work!

[@TheRealDerekL]

That is awesome you got on that project and get to work it with them Drach and thanks for bringing us more in the future on this u-boat! Always appreciated your constant attention to detail and how you don't leave any detail out in all your presentations! Salute Drach! Thanks!

[@bigsarge2085]

What a fantastic opportunity, cheers to your continued success! Looking forward to the project updates.

[@TchaikovskyFDR]

U-534 is amazing! Thank you for all that you do Drach!

[@bryantcurtis2665]

Thanks my friend. As my dad was Atlantic submarines, U.S.N., 1946-67 ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN this one hits home for me. I never asked him what he did. All I know is he had a nice coffee mug with U.S.S. Skipjack in gold letters, and after he retired he'd go to Italy or Spain for a few days to fix our dodgy boats or something.

[@pittsburghmcconnell]

Glad Drac is doing the sub coverage. If History Channel had its way those subs were heading to Oak Island.....

[@mbr5742]

The Subs of Oak Island Sounds like a nice title for a The Asylum movie. Featuring at least two blondes with enhanced flotation decices

[@jonathan_60503]

Leave it to a local council to belatedly turn a uboat into a *very* low budget carrier sub. However, as large as its air wing is, it seems a bit deficient in attack potential :D

[@harryfrentz6899]

Are you sure? they seem to serve quite well in the bomber role. I suppose you could get some seagulls in for a direct ground attack role.

[@hawkeye5955]

@@harryfrentz6899: Seagulls are experts in accurate dive bombing of cars and people.

[@44R0Ndin]

I'll give you this, It's pretty unconventional to have a carrier air wing that's solely armed with biological weapons.

[@sietuuba]

They do also fill a niche with their now-unconventional messenger capabilities impervious to EW and signal jamming.

[@tradventure]

I work as a coatings tech for a Harbour bridge, and let me tell you, given enough time, pidgeons and other birds have plenty of attack potential on a steel structure.

[@edwardsabean-untermann7225]

This is incredibly exciting! Looking forward to seeing as it develops. Also, "world's most heavily-armed pigeon coop" had me cackling.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

I'm so glad to see the sub that was on display in Liverpool is being restored. I was on holiday in UK some years back and drove to Liverpool to see it, looked around for ages before I asked someone where it was... "Oh, they took that away ages ago..." Bugger! Great to see that it will one day be properly on display. Oh, by the way, subs are usually called 'boats' - not ships.

[@Redpatch]

Congratulations on the partnership Drach! Looking forward to seeing this progress.

[@2526ac]

I'm glad something is happening with U534, I had a number of tours inside while it was complete it was sad when they museum was forced to close and the vessel was chopped up

[@aaronbasham6554]

You know, I've been in the Sub in Chicago so many times, I never actually realized how rare it was. It's just a neat ship to me, honestly

[@seanlowery9258]

This an amazing opportunity. I'm so glad I get to see the process play out over time. Can't wait for the videos already!

[@Drewmikola]

Congratulations Drach! What an amazing opportunity to document the restoration!

[@troo_6656]

This is amazing. I will enjoy this process so much. Glad to be subscriber

[@briannicholas2757]

What a truly awesome project. Congratulations Drach. Whilst those of us who follow your channel recognize you as a true historian, it is indeed a pleasure that museums and projects like this also recognize you as such. Also, at around 25:00 it was fascinating to see what is either a wookie or ewok (hard to tell for sure without a better scale reference)in a hardhat and vest working on the project. An intergalactic sized project for certain. Hehehe It's going to be awesome to watch this as it takes shape. Also could you provide some sort of link or site address where we can donate to help this project. I have donated to several museum ships here at home (USA) and I consider saving an extremely rare u-boat for posterity a very worthwhile endeavor.

[@wills2140]

Drachinifel ,thank you so much for your mention of U-505 located in "a museum in Chicago" ( of all places, haha ). That is properly: The Museum of Science and Industry ( MSI ) in Chicago, Illinois. The U-505 is now displayed and toured via a full in ground building now. I am from Chicago and can remember taking the tour when the sub was located outside, good times. The U-505 was floated to Chicago by sea, then through the St Lawrence Sea Way, over the Great Lakes and down to Lake Michigan, finally rolled on shore to her first display location on a tiny rail line that crosses the Outer Drive. U-505 was captured by an escort carrier on patrol in the Atlantic, commanded by Adm Gallery. He was also a large part of getting the submarine to Chicago, also writing a book about the history of it being captured. Good to see the U-534 is still in existence, hope it goes well for all. Thank you for a fun and informative video! ☺

[@wills2140]

Look forward to seeing how the restoration progresses. ☺

[@trainmaster383]

Thank you!! I always liked the Type 9 U-boat. They sank a rather large portion of allied shipping compared to their limited numbers. Had notable Capetian or two as I recall. Thanks again, I watch all of your productions. If my fortunes ever recover I will gladly support you .

[@glauberglousger6643]

You know a challenge no one can beat? Name all German U-boats, what class they’re in, and their entire service history, If you can do that, you’re a god If you can name every submarine, You’re

[@bobjohnbowles]

I am not sure even the official archives can do that.

[@Shrrrg]

90% of the service history is probably though: Left harbor got sunk shortly

[@euphan123]

Das Boot, Das Hefeweizen… need i continue?

[@Ulrich.Bierwisch]

I can name all German U-boats: U-1, U-2, U-3 .... (going thru all the numbers) .... U4711, U4712. That's all. It also includes a lot possible names that where not used but the used names are all included.

[@baraxor]

@@Ulrich.Bierwisch As I recall, the highest number allocated was U 6351, for one of the Seehunds...or was it a Hecht?...in any case a type XXVII.

[@jpd1967jd]

I’ve actually been to the Museum in Chicago to see the U505. Great exhibition. Really great walk through. Impressive to see

[@Isolder74]

Just remember to watch your head on the hatches!

[@Fizwalker]

I used to go visit U-505 while growing up. If anyone is curious, it is at the Museum of Science and Industry, a few miles south of Soldiers Field, just off of Lake Shore Drive.

[@Unreadylearner0]

Best news I've heard in the last two to 4 years well other then hearing my mom will beat her breast cancer. Thank you everyone who is involved in this project truly thank you for doing the world a favor.

[@davidkaminski615]

Seeing that poor boat chopped into pieces reminds me of how lucky I am to see and walk through the U505 in it's current preserved state.

[@Hendricus56]

Nice to see it being restored. Although my favourite surviving one is U-995 (definitely not because it is the one closest to me and I've been there multiple times)

[@JakeInaitor5000]

Super excited to follow the restoration!

[@rudywoodcraft9553]

Congrats on the connection to U-534! Very much look forward to the project updates.

[@thevictoryoverhimself7298]

I love the lesser known U boats, the Type 2 and Type 9. Maybe a type 2 video should follow. (I think you already did the hilarious story of loading them onto trains and trailers and hauling them overland to the Black Sea)

[@Kromaatikse]

This would probably have to start with Vesikko, widely considered to be a prototype for the Type II, but officially never operated by the Kriegsmarine since this was still very early in the re-armament program. Vesikko was named as such and operated by the Finnish Navy, and is preserved intact. As such I think it's the closest thing in existence to an intact Type II.

[@danielbackley9301]

For those who don't know the full story of the U-505 the reason she's in Chicago is because Rear Admiral Gallery was from Chicago and intervened when he found out that she was going to be scrapped. After all he had deliberately planned and trained his task force to capture a sub should they find one.

[@villehursti]

I saw the U-534 in 2018 in Birkenhead and the possibility to see inside the boat sections was awesome. Of course many could argue that boat should've been kept in one piece, but for tourists like me it was better this way.

[@Lightman0359]

If you haven't seen it, look up the moving of U-505 timelapse. Around the turn of the century, they excavated the old carpark, moved the U505 from the back to where the lot used to be [crossing Interstate Route 41/Lake Shore Drive], built an underground garage above and around it, and buried it all under a brand new public garden/park. This both permanently protected the sub in a climate controlled pen and beautified the area.

[@nikolailucyk]

This sounds amazing! Can't wait to see more!

[@stratos2]

Could you also cover type 21 and type 23 german submarines?

[@Axel0204]

As both a submariner and a naval history enthusiast, I am greatly anticipating following the progress on this restoration project.

[@Mrdrcaptaintroy]

What an amazing opportunity! I cannot wait for the rest of the videos!

[@rem26439]

Wow! Just wow! This is excellent news, this boat couldn't simply be left rotting away. Too many historical artifacts have disappeared because of dumb, shortsighted people. I can't wait to hear more about this!

[@edwardvincentbriones5062]

U-boats numbering is complicated in my opinion. For example: U-556, is a Type VIIC; while U-110 is a Type IXB. How U-boats were numbered exactly and how the companies managed in launching them?

[@mattheweagles5123]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the numbering was designed to deny the enemy any intelligence on fleet numbers etc. i.e. a brand new submarine numbered 200 would not indicate that 199 had been built before that.

[@Hendricus56]

Considering both Type VII and Type IX's were built during the war, that is definitely a factor

[@vespelian]

I think it was the same with post war Soviet boats

[@khaelamensha3624]

Order of the laying of the keel?

[@Hendricus56]

@@khaelamensha3624 Not really, there were subs in the 100s who were only ordered but subs in the 2000s who were sent out

[@Verdunveteran]

Great video! As a kid I had the fortune of seeing the U-534 a few times when it lay in Grenå in Denmark after beeing raised and before it was transfered to the UK. It lay in the harbour not far from the ferry dock for the Grenå-Halmstad line. We used to take the ferry a few times a year to visit family friends in Denmark. You could actually see th U-534 from the ferry as it approached or left the docks. And I pestered my dad to take a small detour to stop at the submarine. It was just amazing to stand beneth this massive submarine and look up at it's rusty hulk with it's twisted 37 mm gun barrels, with the whole gun assembly still pointing in the direction in which it had been firing at the British Liberators during the U-boot's final moments. There was also a small exhibition about it in the Grenå aquarium, the Kattegat Centre, if I remember correctly, telling the story of it's sinking and raising. Apperently it was thought that it might have been on some sort of secret mission carrying treasure, incuding the infamous spear of destiny/spear of Longinus. And that spured Danish treasure hunters to start investigating the wreck. Yet no treasure was found onboard. I believe there was also an accident were a Danish diver died during one off the dives into wreck. I'm really looking forward to seeing your future videos on the U-534! Cheers from Sweden

[@shawnmk97]

It's good to see History preserved. Plus, it's so cool we get to see the process live!

[@Jonahch2v9]

I'd love to see a video on the U-boat minelayers and the mine types. In my many Battle of the Atlantic books, it never seems well covered. Were they reliable, easy to use, etc.

[@pitanpainter2140]

Strangely enough, the Guards Armoured division paraded in KM grey paint at after the end of the war ... apparently they'd liberated the paint from a KM warehouse. Unlikely, but they might have some paint samples? Maybe in tins, maybe on their vehicles.

[@jetdriver]

Thrilled with this new partnership and looking forward to the content it will generate. I’m surprised given that there were survivors of the sinking we still don’t know it’s mission and objective.

[@fredhocker2010]

Brilliant. Very glad to hear that you will be covering the project! Looking forward to hearing more.

[@datonecommieirongear2020]

It's really such a shame some dumb city officials destroyed the museum for a project that didin't even progress an inch forward. And then slice a rare intact sub in parts

[@Dilley_G45]

As he said...local government....the worst government is usually on the local level.

[@andrewcarter1599]

Oh thank God! I saw a documentary about this boat and about smashed my screen when they decided to chop her into pieces to “preserve” her. Having her put back together and having that regularly covered by Drach is a best of all possible worlds way forward!

[@Gronicle1]

Nice video. I toured the U-boat in Chicago in 1971 and was amazed at how cramped and full of equipment it was. Later I helped build US subs at Groton and really appreciated that the had space to sit down in and also the Tridents had flushing toilets.

[@realtissaye]

amazing content : - )

[@Wtdtd]

The video is not even 2 minutes old?!

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

Can you please make a video on the type 21 u boat?

[@rmg_lb]

Hey Drach, great video! While the interview partners often bring in much expertise, i still find your solo-vids the most interesting and of the highest quality.

[@dylanmilne6683]

Speaks to the state of heritage in the UK that the boat would be left so forlorn. Can't reconcile why it was chopped up with this decision being touted as the one which would save the boat and make it into a successful museum. Very glad you are now involved in the project.

[@praevasc4299]

Mentioning the Type VII's low range, I wonder if there was ever a case where such a sub looted fuel from an enemy ship. When they encountered lone ships, especially early in the war, they didn't use torpedoes, they used their deck gun, or in some cases they even boarded the ship. Was there ever an opportunity to get fuel in such a case? I know, that the merchant ships they preyed on were coal-powered, but especially in case of tankers, they might have carried diesel fuel.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Doubt it. Most merchants were not Diesel.

[@genericpersonx333]

@@WALTERBROADDUS So far as I know, u-boat diesels were designed to run on common nautical fuel oils, so if you found a merchant that used oil, which a fair number did, then you could indeed use their oil. Diesels will run on almost any liquid hydrocarbon so long as you tune the engine correctly for their particular heat and air-mixing needs. The bigger problem would be trying to pull the fuel out of a ship on the high seas that was not designed to transfer fuel on the high seas.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@genericpersonx333 how are you supposed to pump the fuel?🤔

[@genericpersonx333]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Such is why I said it was the bigger problem than the fact that merchant ships "weren't diesel." The ships might have usable fuel in them, but generally neither submarine nor merchantman would be equipped to efficiently transfer the fuel on the high seas. You can cobble systems together, but it would be messy for sure and not without dangers.

[@xiro6]

Ah, the heritage. Here we have what is called "castros", stone constructions from thousands of years, our old ancestors who somehow can be lined to Uk ans Scotland tribes before the Roman Empire. You will have a real headache to obtain a permission to make a serious excavation and study of those structures, and you have a really high chance of being caught and heavily fined (those live ruining types of fines) for bringing a metal detector even near them. But somehow, periodically we have to see how inexplicable, a house is constructed over one of them, sometimes you can clearly see the old stone wall structure because a slope heading the coast makes it visible. How is that possible escapes my imagination, even assuming the blatant corruption of our politicians. And its not lack of police attention, if you do the metal detector thing better you leave your cellphone at home. How we can be so careless with artifacts who managed to survive against all chances and from we can learn so much but we manage to actively destroy them. Specially now, with so much "war ready" retards who can't differentiate the real thing from call of duty, just a visit to one of those beasts or even a tin can DD have to teach you a lot about what is a war and why we must avoid it. Maybe we should even make one of them sea ready and every president of a country have to endure a month aboard before signing the position. ·3 months for the defense minister. But my ideas are hard. I always said the politian's families have to be left out of bunkers if needed, to make them think more than twice. Or even better, no bunkers at all, for all or for nobody.

[@tomfowler2091]

Excellent, thank you for sharing this. I got to visit the U-505 in Chicago back around 2009. I am very happy that the U-534 will finally be getting the preservation she deserves.

[@RCAvhstape]

My guess would be that the sub was on a desperate mission to retake possession of the Ark of the Covenant after that Dr. Jones fellow absconded with it.

[@darmtb]

Brilliant. Enjoy the process and I’ll be looking forward to the updates on this story 👍

[@Acepilot235]

Wooo! So glad they're restoring the uboat! Even more excited for the update videos.

[@ToreDL87]

Ooooh this brings me back! Back in my early teens, when there was no youtube/twitch or any of that stuff, I played Silent Hunter 2 (of course) and didn't know too much about the various types or marks of each type of Uboat. But I found out about U-534 in 2003, and found a small blog (which is now down) so I actually email corresponded with the blogger, Robert Van Der Veen, which as it turned out, was one of the guys involved with raising/preserving the U-534. So they actually went down inside of it to catalog items and essentially record history, super interesting stuff. I couldn't even write English properly, and insistently buggered the heck out of that poor guy, asking him about everything. "where is the net-cutter on the bow?"", "what happened to the small-arms onboard?", etc. He joked that I was the reason he always checked his email 🤣Poor man 😂 I learned a lot from pestering Robert, and remain forever grateful to him! 😊 And in their defense, they had a non-existent budget for U-534, because the plans to properly restore it went south when several key-backers and curators inexplicably pulled out from the project. All in the name of various authorities and absolutely hysterical dock & city council maniacs were pushing for re-developing the area (which they didnt do) and wanted the uboat gone, and so were pestering them to do something about "that ugly monster" (if I remember right) or they would forcibly have it scrapped. So it was between some damned yellow-vests pulling it to the scrapper, or cutting it up for display for easy transportation = No choice, can't remember in which order all that went, but as I see it they had no choice. And they didn't just saw through indiscriminately, they scienced the heck out of it and SURGICALLY cut the right spots right at/near the joints, they did it "the right way", for when someone comes along that can weld it back together. I for one am glad they brought it up when they did before it became too corroded to save, and I don't blame them for "cutting it up". Apparently (though I can't confirm) Robert is one of the guys the U-505 curators asked for pictures for U-505's conservation efforts, they were having issues with the keel which had been en-cased in concrete when put on display the first time around. 505's blueprints were at hand, but hard to decipher, so thats where U-534 came in. And now, I suspect, U-505 will come in handy as a good reference when putting the U-534 more or less together 🤣

[@richardsharp6875]

That was a huge amount of info. Thank you for refining it to my level of interest. I heartily agree that we need preserve our history of conflicts as that seems to be the primary consideration of our species! And it is also the primary source of out scientific and technological advancement.Thank you for all this research.

[@benwilson6145]

534 was the shipyard number of the Passenger Liner in John Brown Shipyard for many years until she was named Queen Mary

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

I remember back in the late 1990s going on a full guided tour of U-534 (pre-vandalisation) when it was still in one piece next to the "Spillers" flour mills. The whole trip was a fascinating experience (Not many people can say nowadays that they have stood on the bridge of a type IX U-boat... well "health and safety" hadn't yet reached the ridiculous lengths it has nowadays) and I still drink out of the U-534 mug that I bought from the gift "portacabin". One thing that sticks in my mind in particular was that when we inside the boat making our way through each of the internal compartments, was that although the vast majority of the internals of the sub were either rusted or rust stained, in each compartment there was a clearly defined area near the compartment roof above which the original paint finish could be clearly seen, I realised it was where trapped air had prevented the seawater from corroding the paint & steel. The sudden realisation of its significance was chilling as I thought of the hundreds of thousands of men who had been trapped onboard sinking vessels during the war, who must have fought for their last, dying breaths with their faces pressed into such air pockets, before they finally succumbed to hypothermia, or more likely asphyxia.... such was the grim reality of war away from the recruiting posters and blaring fanfares. But on a more pleasant note, its absolutely fantastic to hear that there are still people who care enough to preserve what remains of her for future generations, I remember signing a local petition to stop U-534 being cut up, but as you can see it had the effect that most petitions have, I.E none. I'm just sorry I no longer live in Liverpool as I would be offering my services in whatever capacity was needed to take part in such a worthy undertaking. I sincerely wish them all the best. P.S For anyone watching the video, the torpedo shown at 25:11 is extremely rare, being one of possibly only three remaining original G7es T11 "Zaunkonig II" acoustic homing torpedoes left in the world.... and wouldn't you know it Wirral borough council are clueless enough to leave it rusting away outdoors, the cretins.

[@andrewtolley3706]

Hi Drach. As a resident of Egremont, a mere mile from Woodside Ferry, I'm delighted to hear that something is finally being done to retrieve the historic U-524 from it's present parlous state. i share your misgivings about how the historic warships trust was effectively dismantled by WBC, short-sightedness, economic mis-management and the ever present necessity of revenue-generating developments do, inevitably play their part. I look forward to future episodes in which the restoration progresses. Thank you, as always, for a fascinating and highly professional channel.

[@Claymore5]

Absolutely fabulous video - my late father would have loved this as he was involved in the surrender of so many of these boats in May 1945. He had a high regard for the U-boatmen even though he was torpedoed twice!

[@CrayonosaurusRex]

Where I currently live and grew up is an hour or so east of Chicago, so I got to visit U-505 on a very regular basis and I toured it so frequently that when I lived in Hawaii and got to take the tour of the USS Bowfin, I could by memory compare and contrast the specs, layout and service histories between the two. I was nowhere near as proficient in this as you are however. I greatly enjoyed this video, and your channel, keep up the wonderful work!

[@ar4040smith]

Damn Drach! How incredibly exciting, congrats sir. That is a true honor and quite the testament to your work!!

[@yellowcub86]

Incredible! Thank you for sharing this. I can’t wait to see this more often. Thank you for the links!

[@fastdoorslammers5699]

Great video, Drach! And congratulation on your partnership with Big Heritage