North Korea buying Russian Submarines

The New York TIMES reported recently that North Korea was buying 40 old Russian attack submarines, mostly FOXTROT Class which are 20 to 30 year old boats. Various "experts" disagree with their theory as to why the North Korean Navy bought what they call "leftover hulks" and boats of "questionable seaworthiness" so why do they want them?

Some feel the North Koreans will be cutting them up for scrap; others feel they will cannibalize those in the worst condition to modernize those in the best conditions - but for what reason? My own personal guess is that, apong several reason, having a submarine fleet is great prestige for some heads of state. Remember that when the Soviet Union broke up, the Ukraine wanted to keep submarines in their fleet as well as a cruiser. What possible use are submarines in the Black Sea? Leaders in the Ukraine at that time said they wanted to keep a cruiser because Presidents Bush & Gorbachov had a high level meeting on board cruisers of their respective navies, which was well reported in the world press and the Ukrainian Navy felt they could use the prestige. Could a submarine navy also be used as a mark of prestige?

Time will tell if these old FOXTROT boats will go to the breaker's yard for steel or if some will be rebuilt to roam the sea of the world and pose a threat - to whom? To our friends in Russia; what will you tell us about the sale of these submarines to the North Koreans?

"BLACK PANTHER" Park?

U-1105 was a rubber-coated boat, nick-named ALBERICH for a character in a German fairy-tale who was invisible when wearing a magic coat. So the rubber coating was supposed to make the U-Boats "invisible" to SONAR. U-1105 was surrendered at the end of the War, and brought to the USA to be studied by the US NAVY and finally, in accordance with an agreement with England, the US NAVY destroyed the 'BLACK PANTHER' boat in the Potomac River in an explosive- test on 15 November 1949

This is another of the U-Boats located by UWE LOVAS (102- 1989) who has found quite a few sunken U-boats along the American east coast. There will be a park along the shore at Piney Point near the boat complete with a "U-Boat Visitors Center" and divers can visit the boat itself, in 85 feet of water although almost the entire boat is covered by sedimentation. Souvenir hunters will be discouraged by the use of closed circuit television and marine police.

SCHNELLBOOT-KRIEGSABZEICHEN

Answering the question by ROY QUEEN (2486-1992) about requirements for the "E-BOAT" badge, this is what came in. It was awarded for: - Twelve sorties against enemy vessels or installations; - Outstanding leadership or a particularly successful mission; Sustaining wounds during the course of action. The badge was worn on the lower left breast.

Thanks to all the Members who wrote in with the answers on this page. It is not possible to acknowledge them all, as we got many answers for each topic on this page and so to you who wrote in, many thanks!

Final Patrol Captain Robert Williams was Skipper of USS FINBACK (SS 230) when they fished a young LTJg George Bush out of the ocean. Williams was 82 when he passed away, and had been in poor health for some years.

SHARKHUNTERS INVITED TO USS SLATER COMMISSIONING

30 April, 1994 at 1100 hours, the destroyer escort USS SLATER (DE766) will be re-commissioned on her 50th Anniversary! The ceremony will be a gala affair, and will be at the USS INTREPID Museum at 12th Ave. and 64th St., New York City. There will be many dignitaries and WW 11 veterans in attendance and active US NAVY and COAST GUARD units as well.

USS SLATER is one of a handful of 565 WWII DE's remaining in the world, and she has recently been returned to the US from the Greek Navy, where she served as AETOS since 1951. USS SLATER is unique in that she is still in 1945 configuration with the armament; so she is in essence, a floating time capsule.

Museum Executive Director DR. MARTIN DAVIS (230-1986), said "I am looking forward to SHARKHUNTER attendance and participation at the ceremony. The history of the US destroyer escort is entwined in many ways with the German submarine. In fact, the DE never would have been developed had it not been for the U-Boat. "

SHARK11UNTERS Members are admitted FREE for this event; you'll just show your SHARKHUNTERS Membership Card at the gate. The ceremonies will conclude around 1300 hours, then SHARKHUNTERS Members will get together for a COFFEE GATHERING at 1400 hrs. This will be a historic event - be there!

And ... if you haven't made your reservations for the '50th Anniversary in Chicago' ... DO IT NOW! DON'T BE LEFT OUT!

Be An Angel

Sharkhunters Angels are a very special group of members. They have something they want to go to our Sharkhunters Research Center to help preserve the history of the UBoot-Waffe; of the US Navy Silent Service; or any of the other submarine services - the War at Sea itself... but not until they begin their ETERNAL PATROL.

A very special plaque with the names of our Sharkhunters Angels will be placed in our Research Center and their names will also appear here in each issue of our KTB Magazine.

If you have something you wish to give to our Sharkhunters Research Center after your death, please place a statement to that effect in your will. It will come here in your name for all researchers of this period of history to use in honest study.

Members may leave anything they think will help, whether it be an artifact of the War at Sea; perhaps books to help our Library grow, or anything at all that will help ... even cash is welcome.

Sharkhunters News