Uc66 Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Uc66 Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
50 14.517 N,6 19.888 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.241950
  • Longitude: -6.331467
Wreck Depth 83 m
Water Depth 88 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name UC66
Type submarine
Flag DE
Sonar Length 90
Sonar Width 8
Shadow Height 4.4
Orientation 160
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Original Detection Year 1990
Last Detection Year 2018
Original Source survey vessel
Surveying Details HH090/499/01 31.1.91 WK LOCATED 10.8.90 IN 501431N, 061949W [OGB]. ESTIMATED LEAST DEPTH 84 IN GEN DEPTH 87MTRS. DCS3 HT 3MTRS, LENGTH 25MTRS, WIDTH 10MTRS. NOT FULLY EXAM'D. (THMR LTD, HI 499). INS AS NDW. - NM 553/91. HH090/499/02 19.7.91 EXAM'D 21.5.91 IN 501429.2N, 061949.7W [OGB] USING DGPS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 82.9 IN GEN DEPTH 88.4MTRS. NO SCOUR. DCS3 HT 4.4MTRS, LENGTH 90MTRS, BEAM 8MTRS. WELL DEFINED, APPARENTLY BADLY DAMAGED AND BUCKLED. LIES 160/340 DEG. CENTRAL HIGH POINT. (NP 1008, HI 527). FROM SONAR TRACE APPEARS TO BE WK OF A SUBMARINE. AMEND TO WK 83MTRS. BR STD. 22.6.09 DIVED 15 & 16.6.09, CONFIRMED AS WK OF GERMAN SUBMARINE OF WWI VINTAGE IN GEN DEPTH OF 95MTRS . LARGE 'ATLANTIC' TYPE, BROKEN IN HALF IN FRONT OF THE CONNING TOWER, WITH 88MM AMMUNITION SCATTERED AROUND WHICH IS STAMPED 1905. BRONZE PROP. CROCKERY FOUND WITH IMPERIAL GERMAN MARKINGS. (G POUND, TELECOM DTD 22.6.09). NCA. 16.12.21 IN OCTOBER 2018, IN CONJUNCTION WITH Dr McCARTNEY, A SURVEY OF THE WRECK SITE ABOUT 15nm NORTH OF THE ISLES OF SCILLY WAS MADE USING AN ROV FROM THE VESSEL SEVERN SEA OF MARINE CONTRACTORS KEYNVOR MORLIFT OF APPLEDORE IN DEVON. THE SUBMARINE WAS SEEN TO BE BROKEN IN TWO, AND THE DISTINCTIVE RAISED SECTION OF THE FORWARD CASING SHOWED IT TO BE A UCII CLASS MINELAYER. AS UC66 WAS THE ONLY UCII TO HAVE BEEN LOST AT THE TIME, AND THE LOCATION CLOSE TO WHERE THE ACTION OF 27 MAY 1917 TOOK PLACE, THE IDENTIY OF THE WRECK COULD BE CONFIRMED AS UC66.
Last Amended Date Dec 16, 2021

Circumstances of loss

27th MAY 1917 RNAS IN ISLE SCILLY, CURTIS H.12 8656 (SEAPLANE)WAS DISPATCHED TO SEARCH FOE A U-BOAT REPORTED SHELLING A COASTAL VESSEL TO THE NORTH OF SCILLY. THIS WAS HMS ACTON, THE 1,288 GROSS TONS FORMER CORK STEAMSHIP Co HARELDA TAKEN INTO SERVICE BY ROYAL NAVY AS A Q-SHIP. THESE APPARENTLY INNOCENT LOOKING DECOY SHIPS WERE INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE A U-BOAT TO MAKE A SURFACE ATTACK AND THEN ENGAGE THE SUBMARINE WITH ITS OWN CONCEALED ARMAMENT. AT 10:25 FOUR 100lb BOMBS WERE DROPPED FROM H.12 AND TWO DIRECT HITS ON THE CONNING TOWER OBSERVED. THE U-BOAT SANK BY THE BOW, THE STERN COMING OUT OF THE WATER AT AN ANGLE OF 60 DEGREES.

General Comments

BROKEN IN HALF FORWARD OF THE CONNING TOWER

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 14.517 N,6 19.888 W
Uc66 on Wreck Map Uc66 Wreck on Google Map

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the UC66 wreck located?

The UC66 wreck is located at coordinates 50 14.517 N,6 19.888 W.

How deep is the UC66 and where exactly is it located?

The UC66 lies at a depth of about 83 meters and is located at coordinates 50 14.517 N,6 19.888 W.

How deep is the seabed around the UC66?

The seabed around the UC66 lies at approximately 88 meters deep.

When was the wreck of the UC66 discovered?

The wreck of the UC66 was discovered in 1990.

What country did the UC66 belong to?

The UC66 belonged to DE.

What type of wreck is the UC66?

The UC66 is classified as a submarine.