Black
Panther Historic Shipwreck Preserve
On
April 20, 1944, U-1105, a modified Type VII-C German submarine,
built at the Nordseewerke Shipyard at Emden, Germany, was launched to
begin its brief and dramatic wartime career.
Formally commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on June 3, 1944,
U-1105
was one of fewer than ten submarines produced during the war outfitted
with an experimental synthetic skin designed to counter Allied sonar
devices. The submarine’s commander was a 25-year-old oberleutenant
named Hans-Joachim Schwarz.
In
the spring of 1945, U-1105, nicknamed Black Panther for the black
rubber coating, was deemed ready for its first and only patrol.
In
March of 1945 the submarine sailed from Wilhelmshaven for Kiel. It
took on provisions, fuel, and ammunition and torpedoes, and in early
April sailed from Kiel to Norway to conduct final testing and crew
training before setting out on patrol. From the south coast of Norway,
U-1105 set a course for the west coast of Ireland, eluding Allied air
patrols, sub chasers equipped with ASDIC, and at least one large English
minefield along the way.
U-1105’s mission was to patrol along the Allied convoy routes in the
vicinity of Black Rock, Ireland. On the morning of April 27, 1945, the
sub detected a patrol of three British destroyers. At a range of 2000
meters the submarine fired two acoustic torpedoes then dove to 100
meters to escape a counterattack. The accuracy of the two torpedoes
struck the HMS Redmill, a 1300 ton TE Captain Class frigate, disabling
the stern and killing 32 men. The U-1105 managed to sink to a remarkable
570 feet and remained undetected by the Allied search that ensued.
Seven days later, Schwarz received word that the war was over. The
U-1105 was ordered to an Allied base in northern Scotland where it
surrendered. The British later turned the submarine over to the United
States Navy for study and experimentation in the U.S.
After preliminary testing the U-1105 was fatally damaged on
September 19,
1949 and
was sunk in 90 feet of water in the Potomac River at Piney Point by a
Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
In
June of 1985, the U-1105 was “rediscovered” by a team of sports divers
from Virginia. In 1992-93, with
support from the St. Clement’s Island-Potomac River
Museum, the Maryland Historical Trust, and Sea Colony Aqua Sports, the
site became the subject of an archeological survey expedition.
Supported by financial assistance from the Department of Defense Legacy
Resource Management Program, and a cooperative agreement between the
Navy and the State of Maryland, the wreck was designated as Maryland’s
first historic shipwreck preserve in November 1994. The Preserve is
intended to promote the preservation of historic shipwreck sites while
making them asscessible to the general public.
Diving Instructions:
For
information and specifications regarding recreational diving on the
U-1105, please contact the Maryland State Underwater Archaeologist at
410-514-7662 or the St. Clement’s Museum - 301-769-2222.
Directions:
From
Baltimore/Washington, D.C.:
Take 495/95 to exit 7a (Route 5 south to Waldorf). Follow Route 5 south
through Leonardtown to Callaway. Turn right on Route 249. Drive 9 miles
to Piney Point making a right onto Lighthouse Road
to the end.
From Virginia:
Take State Route
301 to 234 east to Leonardtown. Turn right on Route 5 South through
Leonardtown to Callaway. Turn right on Route 249. Drive 9 miles to Piney
Point making a right onto Lighthouse Road
to the end.
