Angered Archaeologists Over Submarine Excavation

The German submarine U16, a historical relic from World War I, was salvaged on Monday night off the coast of Scharhorn. However, the operation has sparked criticism from archaeologists and preservationists, who view the salvage as haphazard, illegal, and a fatal step.

Rainer-Maria Weiss, Hamburg's state archaeologist, has been one of the most vocal critics. Weiss was not informed about the action beforehand and considers it a gross disregard for any regulations. Weiss sees a chain of oversights that led to this action and believes the boat should not be handed over to a scrap dealer.

Jens Auer, spokesman for the Commission for Underwater and Wetland Archaeology, shares similar criticism. Auer points out that the operation disregards established rules in Germany for construction projects or salvage operations. He finds the operation absolutely unacceptable.

Florian Huber, an underwater archaeologist, has also expressed his concerns. Huber calls the salvage of U16 an "illegal action" and argues that the wreck tells an important story of World War I and should not be scrapped. Huber suggests that instead of salvaging it, they could have simply lifted and moved the wreck to a safer location.

The state of preservation of U16 is excellent, according to state archaeologist Rainer-Maria Weiss. Images from an echo sounder showed water-filled depressions on the wreck, which were one of the reasons for frequent examinations, most recently in 2023.

Despite the criticism, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) justified the salvage as necessary due to the boat becoming relevant for shipping safety and fairway maintenance. One part of the wreck is now on a barge in Lower Saxony's Cuxhaven, and preparations are underway for the salvage of the other part.

Museums have already inquired about potential exhibits of U16, according to the WSA. However, the future of the submarine remains uncertain, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the salvage operation and proper consultation with relevant authorities to ensure the protection of historical artifacts.

Auer emphasizes that U16 is unlikely to be a sea grave, but proper consultation with the German War Graves Commission is necessary to ensure this. The 57-meter-long boat, built in Kiel in 1911, sank on its way to Britain. The rescue mission for the German submarine U16 was initiated by the German Navy.

As the debate continues, it is crucial to strike a balance between preserving historical artifacts and ensuring safety. The salvage of U16 serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to established regulations and consulting with experts in such situations.