"The art of sucking oil out of a tanker sunk in World War II" Topic

"Work is underway to extract oil from a British tanker sunk by a German U-boat off Long Island during World War II.

A team has been at the site of the tanker, named Coimbra, since April 29 and has pumped more than 62,000 gallons (235,000 liters) of oil since May 11, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

Initial dive operations found the tanker was leaking small amounts of oil…"

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Amicalement
Armand

This has been a major problem since the 1970's at least, as the old wrecks succumb to rust. Kept getting put in the 'too hard' basket as the people with the influence to get something done were not being affected.

Good to see at least one wreck is getting attention, there are hundreds down there all over the world.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

" Kept getting put in the 'too hard' basket as the people with the influence to get something done were not being affected."

That's not as bad as the SS Robert Montgomery sunk in shallow water at the mouth of the Thames in 1944.

She still has 1400 tons of ordnance (manly bombs, some with detonators already installed) on board.

The ordnance was never removed because of the cost evolved.

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Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

An old thread but worth resurrecting as wrecks deteriorate.
There was an interesting TV doc 'Wreck' series which had a prog on such hazards a while back. Sorry, deleted from recorder, so cannot remember name… but bound to appear somewhere on TV again.

Sometimes wonder what 'the sea shore' was like during WW2?
Oil, munitions and 'other things'.
But… there was usually wire and mines to stop paddling!