I stumbled across some information yesterday about a beach near us that has the wrecks of two mini-submarines from world war two. I was quite amazed about it when I heard, and thought that we had to go. Also we had tried to get our teenage daughter out for a walk yesterday and she refused - but the lure of submarines got her !! So this morning we checked the tides, and off we went.
The submarines are fairly close to each other on Aberlady beach, which is around 20 miles along coast from Edinburgh. The beach is also a nature reserve, which is quite cool.
Above are the remains of the diesel engine of the first sub. The submarines were specially designed for a secret operation to sink Tirpitz, the largest battleship ever built in Europe. The operation was partially successful, and damaged Tirpitz, keeping her out of the war for 6 months.
After the war, the remaining subs were no longer needed and the two here were taken to the beach and moored to a large concrete block (see below) and used for target practice and ammunition testing by aircraft.
These blocks were actually tank defenses, that would have been strewn across the beach to help stop advancing tanks if a landing had been attempted on that beach. You can see the wreck of the other submarine just above the top left of the concrete block.
The aircraft were trying different types of ammo in the attack to see which types would be best for hunting submarines with. I guess the tests were successful based on the condition of these two !
I was shocked to find that these had a crew of four. They were tiny - so I'm guessing no one had claustrophobia !
Considering I only found out yesterday, we were quite lucky as the tides worked out perfectly for us, and we got there just after low tide hit at mid day. There were other groups of people out seeing them too - so they must be a popular attraction !
The other sub (above) was in even worse condition, although on both you can still easily make out the hatches, of which there are three.
Time has taken its toll, and its mainly the ribbed bands of the pressure hull that remain. My daughter thought they looked like the skeletons of fish - which is fairly apt.
I have to say we were all pretty amazed to see and find them so easily. And will absolutely go back again - plus now that we know where they are, we are sure some of our friends will want us to take them there too !
It was actually quite a nice walk, through the nature reserve to get to them.
The walk started with this cool bridge.
With a warning sign for trolls !
I looked under the bridge but couldn't find any !
The views along the dunes and the beach were lovely (the view above looking North East towards the Fife coast).
And the view above looking west, inland towards Edinburgh. The submarines are just visible close to the centre of the picture above (the black marks in the sand towards the waters edge).
And we didnt even get stuck in the quick sand - which was a bonus !
All in all, a really nice walk - and we will definitely be back to visit again. If you want to know more about them, just google 'Aberlady Submarines'.
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Nice find! 4 men, 3 hatches, I guess they didn't move a lot once inside...
I guess it's the same type that did exfiltration missions in Europe, these could go to the Mediterranean sea, there's a few days of trip...
Aye - it was quite impressive, and how brave must they have been to go inside these things !
!PIZZA
I love your photos, the ones from the perspective of being inside look like a jungle world almost. Beautiful!
Dont feed the trolls!!
!PIZZA
!PGM
Lol - we didnt feed the trolls, although if my daughter had given me any more attitude, she would have been thrown under the bridge for them !
!ALIVE
Looks beautiful, great photos! Surprised something like that is still around in the open like that would've expected it to been excavated and in some museum 😂
!LUV
It was really cool to see, and I guess, yes, its a shame they aren't in a museum.
!ALIVE
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At first I thought it was a whale or some kind of big fish. 😅
This is really interesting.
It may become an attraction. 😅
Well its on google maps, and if you search around it does come up on some websites as if it is an attraction, and when we were walking to it yesterday, there was a crowd of about 12 people already at one of them. I have to say it was totally cool to see, and I would go back again !
!ALIVE
I'm actually surprised it was not moved to some museum or something.
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Wow, great find. And awesome pictures. Glad I found your post via Listnerds.
Listnerds is great for finding new content !
!ALIVE
I don't know what is more fascinating, the subs or the troll sign, anyway it brought a smile to my face 😁
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The troll sign was a nice touch - but the subs were very cool !
!ALIVE
I have a heart for submariners, as my uncle was on a fast-attack sub during Vietnam and the Cold War. I can't imagine having the grit to go around in a can deep underwater, but he did it. As did so many others. !BBH !CTP
I totally agree, my respect for submariners to quite high !
!ALIVE
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I believe hearing that the trolls all left and went to discord.
The submarine remains are amazing. I can not imagine being in such a small vessel, especially with 3 other men.
Aye, I think you are right about the trolls. And yes, the conditions in the sub must have been very cramped !
How cool is that, I never even knew that they were there!
Thanks for that, I will see if I can get a chance to go and have a look!
It was really worth it - I was shocked when I found out about them, so had to go the next day ! Plus the walk through the nature reserve was nice too. Although, it is a fairly long walk - maybe 2 miles each way from the car park.
Okay that is quite a walk, all worth it though, mind you with this weather probably get drizzled on!
Thanks! I'm seeing more of the sights of Scotland on your blog than when I visited myself! 😃 Lovely photos and views.