Wreck of German submarine sunk in 1918 found off Scotland coast
21 Oct 2016
The wreck of a German U-boat that sank almost 100 years back has been located off the coast of Scotland.
Sonar images, collected by engineers laying subsea power cables off the Galloway coast, showed how the submarine remained largely intact.
According to experts, the vessel could be the UB-85, a sub that sank in 1918, as per records.
However, according to another story, associated with the U-boat and its commander, Captain Krech, when questioned as to the reason for the vessel cruising on the surface, told that the sub had been recharging batteries at night when a ''strange beast'' rose from the sea.
He reportedly described a ''beast'' with ''large eyes, set in a horny sort of skull. It had a small head, but with teeth that could be seen glistening in the moonlight''.
The entire crew of the U-boat reportedly abandoned ship due to the ''monster attack''.
According to Krech, the submarine sustained such severe damage in its battle with the ''monster'' that it could no longer submerge.
However, Dr Innes McCartney, a historian and nautical archaeologist who helped identify the wreckage remains skeptical of the tale.
''In reality, the real sea monster was the U-boat, here trying to sink ships,'' he said.
According to naval historians, the submarine was caught on the surface at night and flooded as it tried to dive rapidly to avoid detection.
The entire crew was then left with no choice but to surrender.
According to McCartney, the story spread due to the secrecy surrounding wartime submarine operations.
"I like the idea of Nessie doing her bit for the war effort, but I think in reality the real sea monster is the U-boat here trying to sink ships,'' www.abc.net.au reported.
McCartney said the tale probably came about after a few drinks between journalists and former navy officers.
