The Sub Marine Explorer
The Sub Marine Explorer might boast of the most tragic story on a list full of those. It was created by a pair of inventors: Julius H. Kroehl from Germany and Ariel Patterson from the United States. It was actually one of the first underwater vessels but the very first one that could head down below 100 feet for a couple of hours. Six members could ride the Explorer together. It is surprising to hear that it was developed not for the military but for the Pacific Pearl Company. Sadly, the inventors had been unaware of how decompression impacted the human body. It was a disaster because the crew members got “the bends” and later died. Kroehl was actually the first one to pass away after they did trial runs. Eventually, they abandoned it thanks to this condition and the overfishing of the pearls. The vessel was discovered decaying in the waters of Panama by an archaeologist named James Delgado.
The Sub Marine Explorer
German Submarine U-352
The German Submarine U-352 was first used in 1942 as part of the Wolfpack under the Kriegsmarine during the Battle of the Atlantic. It made its way to North Caroline where it tried to put down the SS Freden. Firing at a U.S. Coast Guard cutter after thinking it was a merchant ship on April 7, 1942 proved to be a fatal mistake. It was a goner after the other side fired back. The wreck is now a popular scuba spot full of colorful fish and artificial reef. Heinz Karl Richter survived the attack and explained that Captain Rathke wanted to sink many ships in his quest for the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.
German Submarine U-352
