View Full Version : My U-505 Visit
Two weeks ago I was in the Chicago area for a friend's wedding, so naturally I took some time to see the U-505 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. The four friends of mine who came along with me were, thankfully, not bored by the exhibit, so we spent a fair amount of time in there. Other than the "no photography" rule inside the sub, the exhibit is really well-done. The amount of history related to the Battle of the Atlantic in this one exhibit truly is fascinating.
As for inside the boat itself, it truly is amazing how cramped these U-boats were, even with this being a Type IX. Even the bunks are small (they looked to be about 65" long at the most). Compared to the U-2540, the interior of this sub looked minuscule in comparison.
Some pics. The camera I was using is fairly lousy, so pardon the lighting. One of my friends took much better photos, so I'll be able to share those soon:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-5051.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_Anchor.jpg
U-505's Anchor
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_2cmCannon.jpg
One of the twin barrel 20mm AA guns.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_Lifeboat.jpg
Life raft.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_DieselPiston.jpg
One of the diesel pistons.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505Exhibit3.jpg
Various artifacts taken from the boat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_UZO_Chrono.jpg
UZO, torpedo gyroscope, and a U-Jagd chronometer.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_TVBody.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505_TVTail.jpg
Body and tail of a TV Wren homing torpedo. The black bands at the tail formed part of the detonation mechanism.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/LukeFF/U-505DieselCompartment.jpg
The rebel in me decided to sneak in a photo of the diesel compartment while the tour guide wasn't looking. :stare: :D This is looking forward towards the control room.
Andrew82
08-26-10, 07:05 AM
Nice pics, thanks for sharing with us! :salute:
TabbyHunter
08-26-10, 08:58 AM
Thanks for shareing. I went to see the sub a few months ago myself, and it was the third time, first inside the museum, that i have been abored the U-505...Aand i live in chicago!
Platapus
08-26-10, 02:56 PM
I wonder why visitors can't take photographs of the interior?
Are they afraid I am going to take those photographs and make a bootleg copy of the U505?
Ducimus
08-26-10, 02:58 PM
I wonder why visitors can't take photographs of the interior?
Are they afraid I am going to take those photographs and make a bootleg copy of the U505?
I wondered the same thing. Money is my theory. They want people to have to PAY to see the inside of the sub. Allowing people to take pictures (which would subequently be posted on the internet) would be counterintuitive to that purpose.
I wondered the same thing. Money is my theory. They want people to have to PAY to see the inside of the sub. Allowing people to take pictures (which would subequently be posted on the internet) would be counterintuitive to that purpose.
How silly. I can look at pictures all day long, but that does not compare to being in the boat.
I wondered the same thing. Money is my theory. They want people to have to PAY to see the inside of the sub. Allowing people to take pictures (which would subequently be posted on the internet) would be counterintuitive to that purpose. so the can sell images that they themselves have taken, just like there have been many times for me.....
Platapus
08-26-10, 05:40 PM
One possible reason is that photographers like me tend to take a lot of time and we can slow down the flow of people. I wonder if that's the reason?
Ducimus
08-26-10, 09:31 PM
One possible reason is that photographers like me tend to take a lot of time and we can slow down the flow of people. I wonder if that's the reason?
Could be. Money is always on the list though. It's what makes the world go round after all. :rotfl2:
ETR3(SS)
08-26-10, 10:24 PM
Next person to go there should ask. Can't hurt after all. I've often wondered why you can't take pictures either. I'd say it is probably because of money and the tour is guided now. Years ago you used to be able to wander through at your own pace.
Platapus
08-27-10, 01:52 PM
Perhaps they are afraid of someone taking pictures and then selling them for a profit?
Too bad the innocent tourist/history lover is punished for what some greedy bastages do. :nope:
The camera I was using is fairly lousy, so pardon the lighting.
The first shot is just c-r-y-p-t-i-c. :o
Love it ! :D
Thanks for sharing them ! :|\\
Edit
It really looks like the united states of America are taking good care of this baby. Very nice, indeed. :)
Ducimus
08-27-10, 03:39 PM
[/I]It really looks like the united states of America are taking good care of this baby. Very nice, indeed. :)
In 2004 it was moved into a specially made underground vault.
Video of the move here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUuQIpVuhCg
edit: Come to think of it, we take better care of that boat then we do our own from the same time period.
ETR3(SS)
08-27-10, 03:55 PM
In 2004 it was moved into a specially made underground vault.
Video of the move here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUuQIpVuhCg
edit: Come to think of it, we take better care of that boat then we do our own from the same time period.I've seen it before and after they moved it inside. If they wanted to keep it in one piece for any length of time they had to move it inside, she was pretty rough looking from all those Chicago winters. But you're right about our boats.
Ducimus
08-27-10, 04:08 PM
But you're right about our boats.
Kinda hard to be wrong about that assesment given this:
http://www.saveoursubmarines.com/images/drum.jpg
Kinda hard to be wrong about that assesment given this:
[Picture of a sub in sad shape]
I remember visiting the Cavalla as a kid years ago. :nope:
Last few times I've been she was looking a bit better though.
ETR3(SS)
08-27-10, 05:10 PM
It's a reality that some boats get more attention than others. If you can't attract visitors then you can't expect to maintain a 65 year old chunk of steel in pristine condition.
Nisgeis
08-27-10, 05:25 PM
Which is better, to have a rusting submarine, or have a nice shiny new washing machine?
In 2004 it was moved into a specially made underground vault.
And that will probably be the only time I'm gonna say that I frankly BOW to your country.
A true technological miracle, minutia in its PUREST state !
Given the uncertain :hmmm: usefulness of moving such an old boat into its individual nest (in the current economical situation worldwide, I mean) and the overall price of the operation :o, I guess that sort of thing could have happened ONLY in the US of A.
Glad to know you're the ones taking care of that boat. :03:
edit: Come to think of it, we take better care of that boat then we do our own from the same time period.
Nazi Germany is definitely victim of a cult.
You should see the amount of people walking around german bunkers looking for ANY (literally) object here.
Hi!
For those of you who worry about U.S. submarines from the period, perhaps you should visit the USS Silversides in Muskegon, Michigan. The boat is in excellent condition (her diesels are operational), and is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. I have been there: it is a very nice exhibit.
See their site, here: http://glnmmorg000.web151.discountasp.net/apps/dnn/mydnn/
Pablo
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