German
Admiral Hipper Class
Heavy Cruiser
Tons
14,800
Dimensions
654 / 71 / 15
Sunk
December 22, 1946
Wartime History
This German warship which engaged HMS Hood and HMS Prince of
Whales with the Bismarck. The warship was surrendered to British in
Copenhagen on May 7, 1945 and then turned over to US forces in Germany.
Post War
The ship was sailed to the US and was converted into a target ship IX-300. After the blast, Prinz Eugen was one of 50 ships that survived the air
and underwater bursts and was then towed to Kwajalein. There she was inspected
for radiation and bomb damage.
The ship had been weakened by the blast and began to take on water. Overnight on December 22, 1946 developed a 35 degree list and then sank at the Southern Atoll.
Shipwreck
Its screws and rudder are partially exposed above water. One of the
screws was removed and returned to Germany. Divers anchor on the wooden
wreck of small hull in 30 feet of water opposite the screws. The hull
rests against the reef, but there is an opening at the 90 foot level,
just forward of the bridge. The bow is at 110 feet and you can swim
under it. There is easy access to most of the ship. The crew's quarters
are accessible with remains of bunks and personal effects. Mess area
contains crockery. A latrine. Machinery and fire fighting gear is suspended
on the deck. Amidships much has fallen onto the seabed including some
AA guns and their mounts. Some items have been recovered from the bridge.
The armament two large turrets with twin 8 inch barrels. Large 4.1inch
guns, dual and quad AA guns are almost all still intact. Port torpedo
tubes have torpedoes in them. The interior structure are intact and
safe for exploration. Radiation is no longer a threat. But several divers
have lost their lives in deep penetrations of the wreck.
