The wreck was originally identified by the UKHO as the NORMANDIET. Research by Dr Innes McCartney (2022: 132) for the Echoes from the Deep project, following a detailed survey by Bangor University May 2019, identified the wreck as being dimensionally, positionally, and archivally consistent with the loss of U1051, and its record has been updated to reflect that new research.

NOTE: The updated location of the wreck is in Irish Waters. As such, it should no longer be considered an active part of the National Monuments Record of Wales. The record of the loss of the vessel has been retained in the NMRW for completeness.

Event and Historical Information

Submarine, of steel construction, and of Germany registry.. Dimensions in feet: 220.00000 x 20.00000 x 15.00000. Armed with 4 x bw. 1 x st. TT; 1 x 3.7 & 2 x twn. 2cm guns. Lost on war patrol from unknown port. Lost 26/01/1945, Irish Sea, West side, The Skerries, 30M NW. 52 lives lost, no passengers and 52 crew. Captain: Von Holleben, Heinrich. Oblt.; owner: German Navy; ship builders: unknown.

Larn and Larn shipwreck database description states: The German submarine U-1172 having torpedoed and badly damaged HM 'Captain class' frigate MANNERS, the escort group warships EG-4 and EG-5 closed in on the area to pick up survivors, and were passed information from the destroyer that they had the enemy vessel still within sonar range. The two escort vessel began a search pattern, and whilst they thought it was the U-1172, it was in fact U-1051. HMS BENTICK joined in the search, made contact by asdic, and assisted by HMS CALDER and AYLMER commenced to depth charge the area using conventional charges and Hedgehog. The U-1051 suffered a direct hit by one of the Hedgehog bombs, and was forced to surface in the late afternoon, her conning tower having been completely wrecked. All the Allied ships involved opened fire on her, HM frigate AYLMER (ex USS HARMON) finally sinking her by ramming. There were no survivors.

Sources:

Larn and Larn shipwreck database 2002

McCartney, I., 2022. Echoes from the Deep. Leiden: Sidestone Press. https://www.sidestone.com/books/echoes-from-the-deep

UKHO ID 7106: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office.

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, May 2023

Site Record

U-1051 (UKHO 7106)