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Underwater image of the submarine wreck. Photo: Sjöfartsverket

WW1 Russian submarine found

National News | 2009-09-24 | 2 comments
The submarine wreck was discovered by a research ship of the Swedish Maritime Administration the 10 September. A closer study with a radio-controlled underwater vessel indicate that the submarine may be ‘Gepard’, one of twelve submarines of the Bars (snow leopard) class who operated in the Baltic Sea during WW1.

“We have a strong suspicion that it’s ‘Gepard’, says Hans Oiås, responsible for the Swedish database of shipwrecks, to news agency TT.

The submarine with 40 people in the crew was, according to Oiås, on a mission together with other submarines to guard a line of mines west of the Estonian island Saaremaa. It was reported lost in October 1917, but has now most likely been found after 92 years on international waters, 30 admiralty miles northeast of the Swedish island Gotska Sandön.

The submarine likely collided with a mine and sank to the bottom with the crew onboard. The submarine is split, but besides damages from the blasting the wreck is surprisingly intact. The Russian Embassy has been informed about the finding.

”It’s not everyday you find a submarine. Its’ a little bit exciting and it’s also a piece in the military history and the history of the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea”, Hans Öiås says.

The submarine has eight torpedoes mounted on the deck still in place.

“It’s up to the Navy if they think anything must be done to the torpedoes, but I don’t think the wreck will be brought to surface”, he says.

A submarine of the same class, ‘Levitsa’, was discovered by the Swedish Navy north of Gotska Sandön in 1992. The discovery was classified until February 1993.
That wreck is still on the bottom of the sea, Russian authorities choose to hold a memorial service and declare the spot to be a war grave.

“I think something similar could be expected also for this finding”, Hans Oiås says.

David Jonasson
david.jonasson@stockholmnews.com

 

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Readers' comments

2009-09-25 22:52 JD wrote:
Sailors, rest your oars....
2009-09-25 17:41 PB wrote:
May they rest in peace


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