The Graf Spee was scuttled off Montevideo in 1939. Is it still there?Yes she is! -almost. Immediately after the scuttling in shallow water, much of the ship's superstructure remained above water level, but then over the years the wreck subsided into the muddy bottom and today only the tip of the mast remains above the surface.
The first salvage from the ship was most likely carried out by Royal Navy intelligence teams which examined and recovered parts of the highly advanced Seetakt radar not destroyed in the scuttling. In late January 1940, the wreck was boarded by US Navy sailors from the light cruiser USS Helena.
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| Graf Spee's salvaged range-finder |
In February 2004 a salvage team began work raising the wreck of the Admiral Graf Spee. The operation is in part being funded by the government of Uruguay, in part by the private sector, as the wreck is now a hazard to navigation. The first major section, a 27-ton gunnery range-finding telemeter, was raised on 25 February 2004. The anchor and rangefinder are currently displayed in the port area of Montevideo. It is expected to take several years to raise the entire wreck. Film director James Cameron is apparently filming the salvage operation - hmmm?. After it has been raised, it is planned that the ship will be restored and put on display at the National Marine Museum in the Buceo neighbourhood of Montevideo, something which I would love to see.
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| Graf Spee's Eagle salvaged from the stern in 2006 |
On 10 February 2006, the 2 meters (6.6 ft) eagle figurehead of the Admiral Graf Spee was removed from the stern of the ship and recovered. Due to a presidential decree, all salvage operations in Uruguayan waters, including Graf Spee's, were stopped in 2009, it is not as yet known if plans to raise the hole wreck will be continued .
Further Reading:
Further Reading:
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