My U-505 Visit

[LukeFF]

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:





U-505's Anchor



One of the twin barrel 20mm AA guns.



Life raft.



One of the diesel pistons.



Various artifacts taken from the boat.



UZO, torpedo gyroscope, and a U-Jagd chronometer.





Body and tail of a TV Wren homing torpedo. The black bands at the tail formed part of the detonation mechanism.



The rebel in me decided to sneak in a photo of the diesel compartment while the tour guide wasn't looking. This is looking forward towards the control room.

[Andrew82]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing with us!

[TabbyHunter]

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!

[Gerald]

[Platapus]

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]

Originally Posted by Platapus

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.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by LukeFF

The camera I was using is fairly lousy, so pardon the lighting.

The first shot is just c-r-y-p-t-i-c.
Love it !

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]

Originally Posted by Alex

[/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:


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)]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

In 2004 it was moved into a specially made underground vault.

Video of the move here:


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]

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

But you're right about our boats.

Kinda hard to be wrong about that assesment given this:

[razark]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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.

Last few times I've been she was looking a bit better though.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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 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 , 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.

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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.

[Pablo]

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.discountas...pps/dnn/mydnn/

Pablo