U-Boat propeller given back to German Navy after 100 years

A brass propeller from the first U-Boat to be sunk a century ago has been given back to the country it belongs to.

The propeller, from the German submarine U-8, was handed over by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to members of the current Navy.

A handover ceremony took place on the German Naval vessel Karlsruhe which was alongside in Portsmouth Naval Base.

Head of Coastal operations for the MCA, Charles Ball, said: ‘This shows how times have changed. We can transfer this historical artefact back to our friends, not just in commemoration of the sacrifices suffered by both nations, but also in celebration of what we have achieved since then.’

Jan Hackstein, the German Naval Attaché, said, ‘It is a wonderful sign of reconciliation and friendship  between the United Kingdom and Germany that the propeller returns after hundred years.’

The propeller was recovered along with other historical items following a number of seizures of illegally recovered dive artefacts in the Kent area in 2014.

PC Preston Frost of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force said: ‘We are proud of our close working relationship with the Maritime Coastguard Agency and are pleased to have played our part in ensuring the return of an important historical artefact.

‘We will continue to investigate anyone suspected of stealing items from sunken wrecks and bring prosecutions against them when appropriate.’

It came into the care of the UK’s Receiver of Wreck, Alison Kentuck but is now being returned to its original owner.

U-8 only had a short career in World War One but sank five British merchant ships before being lost herself in March 1915.


All four officers and 25 crew were taken prisoner with no loss of life. 

Picture courtesy of BAE Systems. 
Main picture shows (left to right) Jan Hackstein, German Naval Attache; PC Darren Reed, Kent Police; Charles Ball, MCA Head of Coastal Operations; Christian Clausing, Commanding Officer of Karlsrughe, PC Preston Frost, Kent Police; Simon May, MCA Enforcement Officer



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