UKTECH
Another view of the starboard propeller another go ( we won ’ t mention anything about the first video being completely dark so having no choice in the matter ). For everyone other than Jacob , it was a relaxing dive taking photos and giving the propeller another buff-up .
The identity confirmed
So , what did we discover ? Well , the inscription ‘ U93-98 ’ certainly rules out U-109 . The date stamp was after the launch of U-95 , which changed the theory that Germaniawerft U-boats were launched with the propellers attached ; in fact , they were
Inscription on the starboard boss reveals the identity of the wreck added after launching . This confirmed the identity of the Lizard wreck as U-95 and the Hardelot wreck as being U-93 .
In terms of the reason for sinking , the jury is still out . We could conclude that there was no major damage to the boat . There was a large crack down the port side , which could well support the theory that Braeneil rammed U-95 . In addition , both inner and outer hatches of the conning tower and an engine vent were open . The hydroplanes were in level plane , all suggesting that this boat was on the surface when it started taking on water .
PHOTO : DOM ROBINSON
Timeline
15 December 1916 – U-93 launched
29 December -1916 – date stamp on Hardelot wreck ’ s starboard propeller
10 January 1917 – date stamp on Hardelot wreck ’ s port propeller
20 January 1917 – U-95 launched
25 January 1917 – date stamp on Lizard wreck ’ s starboard propeller
1 February 1917 – Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare
27 December 1917 – U-95 sails from Germany
2 January 1918 – U-95 sinks two steamers near the Runnel Stone , Cornwall
7 January 1918 – U-boat ( claimed to be U-93 ) sank by ramming by the SS Braeneil near the Lizard , Cornwall
14 January 1918 – U-93 active near Penmarch
15 January 1918 – onwards , nothing further heard from the U-93 or U-95
24 January 1918 – U-109 sailed from Germany
26 January 1918 – sinking claim of U-109 by mine near Griz Nez
References
1 McCartney , Innes . The Maritime Archaeology of a Modern Conflict : Comparing the Archaeology of German Submarine Wrecks to the Historical Text . Volume I . 2014
2 Richard , Alain ( ed ) et al . Plomgées en Côte D ’ Opale Tome 1 . Groupe de Plomgée Épaves : 2007
PHOTO : RICK AYRTON
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Thanks to ...
Big thanks go to all involved in the project , namely Michael Lowrey , Mark Milburn , Ruth Holding ( Atlantic Scuba ), Steve Mortimer ( BSAC Direct ), Barbara Mortimer , Fran Hockley , Dominic Robinson , Craig Holdstock , Will Schwarz ( all Plymouth Sound BSAC ), Jacob Mackenzie ( Thomas Guy SAC ), Tim Wallis ( BSAC Direct ) and Rick Ayrton ( Clifton BSAC ). �