History of technology - Former navy submarine docks in Mannheim - soon in the museum
The approximately 350 metric ton U-Boat U17 encountered a snag on its way to a museum in Sinsheim, Baden-Württemberg, in Mannheim. The steel colossus, which had been discarded by the navy, had been loaded onto a powerful floating pontoon in Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate, in the morning and had been towed rheinabwards in a convoy.
Live images from the Technology Museums Sinsheim Speyer showed the respectfully floating exhibit passing by the prominent towers of Speyer Cathedral in sight.
Technical Challenge
In Mannheim, a firefighting ship welcomed the maritime relic with a water fountain. According to the museum, it was planned to tip the U-Boat onto its side by more than 70 degrees on the cargo terminal's land at the afternoon - a first on the floating pontoon.
The U-Boat then sails on the Neckar River to Heidelberg on Saturday in a "keel-hauled" state. There, the boat is to be righted.
Land Transport Finale
This maneuver is considered complex and a technical challenge. The tipping is necessary to pass under low bridges.
For example, U17 must be tilted 73 degrees to the side in Heidelberg on Monday before the Old Bridge to pass under the historic landmark - likely accompanied by many onlookers. The transport is scheduled to reach Sinsheim after a land transport finale on July 28.
The approximately 50-meter-long U-Boat had been in service since 1973 and was decommissioned by the navy in 2010. A port crane lifted U17 in Kiel onto a floating pontoon, which initially transported the steel giant of the Type 206A class to Speyer. There, weight was removed.
The entire project costs the Technology Museums approximately two million Euros and is mainly financed by donations.
- The U-Boat U17, originating from the navy in Rhineland-Palatinate, was initially loaded in Speyer, known for its rich history and famous Speyer Cathedral.
- The city of Mannheim, in Baden-Württemberg, prepared to receive the U-Boat, with its Technology Museums anticipating the arrival of this naval artifact.
- In Sinsheim, home to several renowned technology and museums, the U-Boat U17 was scheduled to find its final resting place, showcasing Germany's defense history.
- To reach Heidelberg, the U-Boat needed to navigate the Neckar River, requiring a significant tilt to ensure safe passage under the Old Bridge, another historic landmark.
- The port of Kiel in Germany played a crucial role in the U-Boat's journey, with a port crane lifting the almost 50-meter-long U17 onto a floating pontoon, before its journey towards Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg.
- The U-Boat U17, built in the 1970s and decommissioned in 2010, is a priceless piece of Germany's naval heritage, now funded by generous donations to ensure its proper restoration and preservation in Sinsheim's technology museums.
