53:52.09N  08:42.33E

 

Thurs.  Off on the Bromptons to visit the U Boat Monument and U995. The Monument is a memorial to all sailors, of all nations, but in reality it looks much more menacing, like a giant U Boat conning tower facing westwards.  A bit of a stomach lurch on seeing the Nazi Kriegs Marine flag in the flag room.  Felt like being in the centre of evil!  The view from the top is very impressive though.

 

U995 is on the beach below the monument and is a well preserved example of the real thing. She sunk four allied ships on the Russia convoys and was surrendered intact in Norway at the end of the war.  Up to 50 people lived in a tiny space, the ratings sleeping between live torpedoes, always in constant fear. 70 percent of all U Boat crews perished, 28,000 of them!

 

Off in the afternoon into the Kiel Canal and anchored for the night in a small side bay about 7 miles in.

 

Fri. Into Rendsburg for fuel, then out of the canal at Brunsbuttel and down the Elbe to Cuxhaven, where we went through a bridge into the central City Marina. Much nicer than the main marina further down the river.